The South Carolina Department of Social Services and Their Role in Family Court Matters

If you are involved in family court issues involving child support or visitation, or in a situation in which there are allegations of abuse, you may find yourself involved with or relying upon the services of the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS). DSS serves an often important function in a variety of family law matters , and depending upon your particular situation, the involvement of DSS in your affairs may be helpful or intrusive. As a state run social service, DSS often generates fear in parents, who worry that their rights to their children may be unjustly impacted, or that they may be burdened with financial obligations not rightly their own. The following is important information about the services DSS provides, as well as what you can do if you are involved in a DSS case.  

DSS Services

The South Carolina Department of Social Services is one of the largest public services agencies in the state, employing over 3,700 people with an annual budget of over close to $700 million. DSS oversees the state’s food stamp program, as well as providing services for children without parents and overseeing a statewide adoption program. DSS is also heavily involved in family court matters, including the following:

• Establishing paternity of children and maintaining a father’s registry;
• Setting and enforcing child support obligations;
• Investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect;
• Overseeing the state foster parent program; and
• Providing services for victims of domestic abuse.

DSS works both with the police as well as with the courts in fulfilling its many roles, and may get involved in a family court case either through requests from concerned family members and those involved in a case, through reports from law enforcement, as well as through schools, neighborhood groups, or concerned citizens.

Protecting Your Rights When Dealing With DSS

There are a several ways in which you may come into contact with DSS in family court matters:

• For Paternity and Support Obligations: If you have been listed as the father of a child, you may receive a summons ordering you to appear for a hearing to prove paternity and determine support. If you are the acknowledged parent of a child, you also may be contacted in regards to your child support obligations. It is important to attend these hearing, as your absence could result in a legal order for support being entered against you, with the dollar amount increasing each month the support is not paid.

• For Neglect and Abuse Allegations: If you have been accused of abuse or neglect, you may be contacted by DSS in regards to an investigation. DSS investigates all allegations of abuse it receives, and any type of evidence obtained may result in the removal of your children from your home. If you are contacted by DSS in regards to abuse allegations, contact an attorney immediately to prevent your children from being placed in foster care. You are entitled to a merits review of your case within 35 days of DSS involvement, in which evidence will be presented to in court to determine whether or not DSS continues its investigation, and whether your children are allowed to remain in your home.

Contact Our Experienced South Carolina Family Law Attorney

If you are involved in a DSS case, contact our experienced South Carolina family law attorney right away. At the Lauren Taylor Law, we provide caring, comprehensive legal service while defending your interests and insuring your rights are protected. Serving Greenville and the entire Upstate area, call or contact us online today for an initial consultation.