If there's one thing that most people can agree on, it's that every family is different. We all have challenges and changes that we must go through. Sometimes, those changes are joyful, like the birth of a new baby. Other times, those changes involve loss, uncertainty, and ultimately end with divorce.
There's no doubt that divorces are unpleasant. Sometimes, they're unavoidable. According to recent statistics, there were 2.4 divorces per every thousand residents in South Carolina. If you're one of the many people suffering through the pain of a divorce, dealing with a custody issue, or trying to juggle a family-related legal problem, you're not alone. At Lauren Taylor Law, many of our family law clients have major questions about what lies ahead. Their uncertainty often leaves them extra stressed and over-worried. They have concerns about their marriage, their kids, or both. After being served confusing papers from their spouse, they're wrestling with the anxiety of the unknown.
If that sounds all too familiar, a divorce attorney in Goose Creek, SC, can help, whether you need a seasoned advocate in the courtroom or an unbiased moderator behind closed doors. Unsure whether a divorce attorney is truly necessary at this stage? Ask yourself these questions:
If the answer to any of those questions was "yes," Lauren Taylor Law is here to stand by your side during one of the most difficult times in your life. Our law firm in several areas of family law, including:
There are few events in your life more infuriating and traumatic than a divorce. If you're like most, it feels like you're on an emotional roller coaster with life-changing legal and family consequences around every turn. During this difficult time, it's crucial to have a divorce attorney in Goose Creek, SC, on your side. That way, you can overcome the hurdles of divorce, achieve the outcome you need, and move on with your life.
Whether you're the one seeking out a divorce or it's your spouse's choice, making the decision isn't ever easy. After all, divorce is painful. When you took your wedding vows, you expected a life with your partner until death separated you. You spent untold amounts of money on a beautiful wedding, caterers, musicians, and more. You invited your high school friends from South Carolina and spent time together with out-of-towners who flew in, especially for you.
Unfortunately, reality is starting to set in: You won't be married to the person who once told you, "I do." Truth be told, getting a divorce is a heartbreaking turn of events. But now, more than ever, it's important to retain experienced legal counsel to oversee your divorce proceedings. Having helped many clients through the process of divorce, we know you may think that everything is falling apart around you. But as successful divorce lawyers in South Carolina, we have the proverbial tools to help you pick up the pieces and start fresh.
During your first divorce consultation at our offices, our primary goal is to hear your story. We simply want to listen. We want to understand your desires, fears, needs, and questions about divorce. Once we've had the opportunity to understand your needs, we will continue to ask pertinent questions. Why? Because listening and understanding the nuances of your story helps us do the very best job possible. After all, as your divorce attorney in Goose Creek, SC, your best interests are our primary concern.
At Lauren Taylor Law, we find providing a personalized approach helps us better serve our clients. Unlike other divorce lawyers, we don't believe in "cookie-cutter" or "one-size-fits-all" solutions. Your divorce is unique, and your lawyer's strategy should be, too. Our team will help by:
By advocating for you during your divorce, Lauren Taylor Law will help you make the first steps toward reclaiming your life and securing your future.
It's safe to say that nobody goes into a marriage expecting to get a divorce. But for many couples, divorce proves to be in their family's best interest. Before you go through with such a serious choice, it's prudent to ensure that you and your spouse agree that divorce is best. Sometimes, therapy or marriage counseling can save marriages. That's especially important if you have kids with your spouse.
If you have made efforts to salvage your marriage and have concluded that divorce is the only option, our team of passionate divorce lawyers is here to help. Divorces are complicated and often contentious, but in South Carolina, getting a divorce is different than in other states.
For example, in other areas of the United States, judges are obligated to split marital assets equally between spouses. However, South Carolina is not classified as a community property state. The judge in your divorce case could award your husband or wife a larger portion of the marital property you once shared. That scenario is even more likely if the judge decides you were the ultimate cause of the divorce.
Similarly, divorce judges in South Carolina have a higher chance of making you pay more substantial alimony payments for longer periods of time when compared to other states. To make matters even more complicated, divorce laws and tax consequences in South Carolina change often. Additionally, our state does not recognize the concept of "irreconcilable differences," meaning you cannot use it as a reason to divorce your spouse (or vice versa).
In order to get a divorce in the state of South Carolina, a person must have legal grounds to do so. As such, you have two options:
Many couples opt for a no-fault divorce, but in order to qualify, you and your spouse must prove that you haven't been living together for at least a year. Choosing this option is popular because it often helps couples avoid getting in a fight when one spouse blames the other for the marriage breakup.
Apart from one year of continuous separation, which is grounds for a no-fault divorce, the legal grounds for divorce in South Carolina include:
Each fault-based reason listed above can play a part in the outcome of your divorce case, including decisions on child custody, alimony, division of debts, and division of marital property. When you account for the unique nature of divorces in Goose Creek and the rest of the state, foregoing a divorce attorney is a poor decision.
It's possible to get divorced in South Carolina without needing a lawyer. However, we've encountered situations where clients come to Lauren Taylor Law because they tried the process on their own with no success. When it comes to divorces in South Carolina, there are many procedural requirements to meet.
Your paperwork must be correct across the board. For instance, you and your spouse must both file accurate financial declarations in family court. If you've come up with a divorce agreement, the family court must still decide whether it's equitable and fair for your spouse and in the best interests of your kids.
If you choose to try and get a divorce in South Carolina on your own, we strongly recommend that you schedule a consultation at the very least. That way, you know your rights and have a minimum understanding of the divorce process in South Carolina.
Some of the most common benefits of hiring a divorce lawyer include:
Child custody cases present unique challenges for you, your spouse, and your family law attorney. They are almost all resolved through mediation or settlement conferences.
Unfortunately, when two parents have disagreements about child custody, calm discussions often devolve into quarrels and contentious disputes. If you and your spouse do not agree about visitation and custody rights for your child or children, a divorce judge will make those tough decisions for you. In this circumstance, child custody is determined by what the judge deems as the best interests of your children.
Fortunately, contrary to urban myth, divorce laws in South Carolina do not favor mothers of fathers or vice versa when it comes to child visitation and custody. There is also no "standard" schedule presented for child visitation. Factors that your divorce judge will pay close attention to include:
At the end of the day, children have the right to love each parent freely. However, protecting children during a custody battle is crucial. At Lauren Taylor Law, our team works closely with you, your children's Guardian Ad Litem (who represents the children in the legal case), their school teachers, and any third party working with your children. Advocacy for the best interest of your children requires deep understanding, legal skills, and years of relevant experience. With the Lauren Taylor Team in Goose Creek, SC, you can rest easy knowing your child's future is of utmost importance.
If you're getting a divorce, and you have a child or children with your former spouse, there's a good chance you're worried about how much child support you'll have to pay. You may be wondering, "How is child support in South Carolina determined?"
The amount of child support you must pay is dictated by the child support guidelines in South Carolina. These guidelines not only calculate temporary child support but permanent support as well. These guidelines are applied to any case where the parent's gross combined income is less than $15,000 a month. According to the law, child support amounts are calculated with these factors in mind:
Without a divorce attorney in Goose Creek, SC, navigating the turbulent waters of child support is nearly impossible. With years of experience, we have the tools and resources to protect your rights and guide you through the child support process. To get a rough estimate of how much child support you will need to pay in your divorce, contact Lauren Taylor Law today.
Alimony is financial support that you must pay to your former spouse. In South Carolina, there are different types of alimony. Permanent, periodic alimony is paid on a set schedule over time. However, alimony terminates when you or your spouse dies or when a receiving spouse begins to cohabitate with another person or chooses to remarry. Alimony in South Carolina can be modified based on a showing of a substantial change in circumstances.
In some cases, spouses choose to pay a lump sum alimony. The amount is agreed upon by both parties. This can usually be paid all at once or in a schedule of payments. It should be noted that spousal support may be ordered, pending your final divorce.
South Carolina law requires Family Law Courts to consider a number of factors in making a ruling on an alimony request. Those factors include:
To learn more about laws and factors regarding alimony in South Carolina, call or click to speak with someone who can help at no obligation to you.
There's no way around it - divorce is an unpleasant and sometimes unavoidable part of being an adult. As you consider taking this major step, you must consult with a seasoned divorce lawyer who knows the intricacies and challenges of divorce law in South Carolina. If you have given the subject plenty of thought and diligence and decided that divorce is your best option, the time to act is now. Contact Lauren Taylor Law today so that you can proceed with confidence tomorrow.
Vision Hospitality Group Awarded Management of SpringHill Suites Goose Creek, S.C.Vision Hospitality Group manages the upcoming SpringHill Suites by Marriott Goose Creek, a 109-room hotel set to open in early 2027. The hotel will feature flexible meeting space and spacious suites, aimed at accommodating both business and leisure travelers in the growing Goose Creek/Summerville area. The partnership reflects Vision's focus on quality and operational excellence.CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. &ndas...
Vision Hospitality Group manages the upcoming SpringHill Suites by Marriott Goose Creek, a 109-room hotel set to open in early 2027. The hotel will feature flexible meeting space and spacious suites, aimed at accommodating both business and leisure travelers in the growing Goose Creek/Summerville area. The partnership reflects Vision's focus on quality and operational excellence.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – October 29, 2025 – Vision Hospitality Group, Inc., announced today that it will manage the upcoming SpringHill Suites by Marriott Goose Creek, a 109-room, all-suite hotel located at 205 Corbin Street in Summerville, S.C. Scheduled to open in early 2027, the property represents an exciting new development by Clarendon Properties, LLC, along with Commercial Realty Advisors Development (CRAD), as the project’s developers, and Vision Hospitality Group through a new strategic management partnership.
The new-build SpringHill Suites will offer 1,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a stylish lobby bar and thoughtfully designed suites that provide spacious accommodations with distinct living, working and sleeping areas. Conveniently situated in the rapidly growing Goose Creek/Summerville corridor, the hotel will serve as a premier destination for both business and leisure travelers visiting the Charleston region.
Patrick O’Neil, COO of Vision Hospitality Group, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership:
“We are excited to collaborate with Clarendon Properties on this exceptional project, which reflects our shared commitment to quality and innovation. This new SpringHill Suites represents an important step in Vision’s continued growth through strategic management partnerships. We look forward to delivering the award-winning service and operational excellence that define the Vision brand.
“At Vision Hospitality Group, culture is the foundation of everything we do,” O’Neil added. “Guided by values of integrity, respect, teamwork and excellence, Vision fosters an environment where people are inspired to grow, innovate and deliver exceptional results. The company’s culture of care extends beyond its hotels — it’s reflected in how Vision supports its associates, partners and communities to create meaningful and lasting impact.”
The SpringHill Suites Goose Creek will embody this culture of purpose and passion, combining Marriott’s trusted brand experience with Vision’s dedication to innovation, operational distinction and hospitality that makes a difference.
With an anticipated opening in early 2027, the SpringHill Suites Goose Creek will enhance the area’s hospitality landscape and provide guests with a seamless blend of comfort, style and service excellence.
GOOSE CREEK — A Berkeley County woman was indicted on federal charges this month after allegedly stealing her employer’s identity and defrauding her boss of at least $175,000.The woman, Tiffany Nelson, pleaded not guilty to the allegations during an initial appearance in federal court on Oct. 28. She was indicted earlier this month on five counts, including wire fraud, mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.The owner and sole chiropractor at an unidentified medical practice in Goose Creek hired Nelson as an office...
GOOSE CREEK — A Berkeley County woman was indicted on federal charges this month after allegedly stealing her employer’s identity and defrauding her boss of at least $175,000.
The woman, Tiffany Nelson, pleaded not guilty to the allegations during an initial appearance in federal court on Oct. 28. She was indicted earlier this month on five counts, including wire fraud, mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.
The owner and sole chiropractor at an unidentified medical practice in Goose Creek hired Nelson as an office manager in December 2015. As part of her position, Nelson could access the owner’s company and personal bank accounts.
She also knew her boss’s birthday, Social Security number and address, as well as the login information and passwords for the owner’s life insurance policy and retirement accounts.
Throughout her time as the office manager, Nelson allegedly neglected to pay business expenses and diverted funds for her own personal use. This caused the business to fall behind on bills and impacted its operating income, according to the indictment.
Beginning in at least November 2020, Nelson allegedly devised a scheme to defraud her employer’s life insurance policy with MassMutual. She called the life insurance company while impersonating her boss and requested a $20,000 loan, according to the indictment.
About a year later, she allegedly began taking steps to also steal money from her boss’s retirement account with the Capital Group American Funds investment company. She requested to withdraw $25,000 from the IRA in December 2020 and $20,000 in January 2021, according to the indictment.
In total, Nelson is accused of directly or indirectly stealing $175,000, per the indictment.
If convicted of the charges, Nelson could face a mandatory minimum sentence of two years and as much as 20 years in prison. She would also be on the line for paying back what she stole.
Because her money may need to go toward restitution, Nelson was granted a $50,000 unsecured bond by Magistrate Judge Mary Gordon Baker during her initial appearance.
Conditions of Nelson’s bond include staying in communication with her federal public defender and probation officer, not breaking the law, not leaving the state without permission and not drinking alcohol or using drugs.
Nelson no longer is employed at the chiropractor’s office. She now works in insurance billing for another business, according to information shared during the hearing.
The government voiced concerns that the victim’s daughter believes Nelson’s current role gives her the same access to financial information that she allegedly used to defraud her previous employer.
Baker ordered Nelson’s probation officer to learn more about her current job.
If she has access to financial records, a third party may need to be notified as another condition of her bond, Baker said.