Get the Representation That You Need to Protect Your Family’s Relationship in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
At David W. Martin Law Group, our Myrtle Beach, South Carolina family law attorneys understand how important family is in all our southern cities, which is why we are dedicated to providing timely solutions for those who are enduring turbulent times at home.
Family law focuses on divorce, child custody, spousal and child support, all of which come with physical, emotional, and financial consequences that can be hard to traverse on your own.
That is why our Horry County family lawyers are dedicated to creating customized solutions for each of our clients, so they can begin planning their future with confidence.
Why Would I Need A Family Law Lawyers in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?
Our Myrtle Beach family law attorneys partner with our clients to determine their goals and best interests while providing the leadership and experience they need to address past, current, and future details they may not have considered, so their next legal steps are well planned.
At David W. Martin Law Group, our family lawyers in Myrtle Beach represent clients and families who need our skills to start their lives over and better than before.
Our family law firm in Myrtle Beach focuses on creating solutions for:
- Marital Agreements / Separation Agreements
- Mediation
- Divorce
- Alimony / Spousal Support
- Property Division
- Child Support
- Child Custody
Since most of our clients require our experience to cover more than one focus, we pride ourselves in delivering end-to-end family law solutions for all.
We can provide the same for you, too.
What Are Marital Agreements / Separation Agreements in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?
Marital agreements address the rights and responsibilities of the two parties in a marriage.
When these agreements are outlined, review, agreed upon, and signed before a marriage, they are called prenuptial agreements. When they are implemented after marriage, they are called postnuptial agreements.
Both documents can outline financial interests, including spousal support in case of divorce, or provide a clear distinction between what belongs to one spouse, and what belongs to the other, moving forward.
Marital agreements provide spouses with the opportunity to provide each other with full disclosure, so each knows where the other person stands before they are married. These agreements are becoming more common as individuals wait to become married and amass assets or debts they would like to remain separate from marital property.
Separation agreements are different.
When couples are seeking a divorce in South Carolina, they may choose a no-fault divorce option that requires they live separately for one year before officially filing for divorce. In these cases, our separation agreement lawyers in Myrtle Beach would outline our client’s wishes for property division, spousal support, child custody, child support, so their details are established for negotiation before the divorce process is finalized.
How Long Does it Take to Get Divorced in South Carolina?
Our South Carolina Laws are very clear when it comes to divorce, and leave no room for error when filing a petition.
If you choose to file for divorce in Myrtle Beach, citing your spouse was at-fault for the marriage’s dissolution, you have one of four options to establish fault.
Each one must be proved by the petitioner for the other spouse to be ruled at-fault for a divorce, including:
- Adultery
- Desertion
- Cruelty
- Drunkenness/drug use
The other spouse will have thirty days to counter the claim or allow it to stand. The details of your divorce, including whether you can finalize the terms during mediation, or if it is contested and requires litigation, will dictate how long the complete process takes.
A no-fault divorce petition allows both spouses to dissolve the marriage without proving it was the other one’s fault. When a no-fault divorce is filed in Myrtle Beach, both spouses must live separately for one year before they can pursue the proper finalization process.
Is Divorce Mediation Required in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?
Yes. Both spouses must attend mediation negotiations before being scheduled to appear before the family court in Myrtle Beach.
At David W. Martin Law Group, our Myrtle Beach mediation lawyers understand that while this process may be frustrating, it can provide a positive experience for both spouses.
First, if you can outline the details of your divorce agreement without the court’s involvement, the process will move faster. It is also typically less expensive.
And although mediation is required in Horry County, it does not have to successful. If you cannot agree on important aspects of your divorce, we will litigate your case inside the courtroom.
Am I Entitled to Alimony After I Get Divorced in Myrtle Beach?
The short answer is, no. If you and your spouse cannot agree on a spousal support figure either because one does not want to pay the amount the other is asking, or if one does not want to pay alimony at all the court will consider several factors to determine spousal support eligibility.
Those factors may include:
- How long the couple was married
- Who, in the case of fault-based divorce, was responsible for the dissolution
- Separate and marital assets of each spouse
- The educational and employment background of each spouse
- Each spouse’s ability to earn enough money to support him/herself
- The standard of living during the marriage
- Child custody and support agreements, when applicable
If you and your spouse can agree to spousal support terms without the court’s involvement, it will save a substantial amount of time and money during the divorce proceedings.
The same is true for property division.
During a divorce in Myrtle Beach, the marital property will be divided equitably by the courts, when the spouses cannot reach an agreement on their own.
Marital property includes any holdings the couple acquired during their marriage, which can be a home, car, bank account, or other property.
Property that is not eligible for the division is anything each spouse brought into the relationship on their own, including any inheritances, or third-party gifts.
We Want to Share Custody of Our Children After a Myrtle Beach Divorce. Is That Possible?
Absolutely. The South Carolina family courts want what is best for all children of divorce, and they work hard to order shared custody when it is the optimal approach.
Ideally, when parents already know they want to share legal and physical custody of their children, they can make those arrangements during mediation, so the court will simply sign off on the agreement.
The same is true for child support. If you both agree on a certain amount to be paid each month, the court will typically sign off on the agreement without delay.
On the other hand, if you cannot agree on any aspect of child custody or child support, we will build your case to support a strong argument on your behalf.
We know how important your children are to you, and we will do everything we can under your unique circumstances to provide the best outcome available.
Our child custody lawyers in Myrtle Beach handle each of the following types of cases:
- Emergency Custody Actions
- High-Conflict Litigation Cases
- Mediation Custody Agreements
- Father’s Rights
- Grandparents Rights
- Parents and Relocation Requests
Once we can establish who has primary custody of the children, we will assess the child support payment details to ensure the children can thrive.
Tourism Anchors the Myrtle Beach Economy
Although Myrtle Beach is only home to approximately 34,000 people, our beautiful city plays host to over 20 million visitors each year.
Myrtle Beach is located in the middle of a long, continuous 60-mile stretch of oceanfront beach knows as The Grand Strand, and was recently ranked as the second fastest-growing metropolitan area in the country, listed as one of the major centers of tourism in South Carolina and the United States.
Contact the David W. Martin Law Group Family Law Firm in Myrtle Beach Today For a Consultation
Family law matters are very serious and should never be left to chance. After all, this is your life we are talking about, and we want to help you increase its quality with every new step you take.
If you are considering divorce or have questions about how a divorce will affect your children, home, and finances contact our experienced Myrtle Beach family law attorneys at David W. Martin Law Group today by calling 854-854-5623 to schedule a consultation. We are here to answer all your pressing questions about how to move forward with your life with confidence.
OUR MYRTLE BEACH FAMILY LAW ATTORNEYS ALSO REPRESENT CLIENTS IN THE FOLLOWING CITIES:
MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILY LAW FIRM FAQS
Yes. The South Carolina Department of Social Services has an online child support calculator designed to provide an estimate only. You should speak with an experienced Myrtle Beach child support attorney to determine exactly how much child support you may receive or have to pay.
Separations do not end marriages in South Carolina. Even separation or maintenance orders are outlined for a still married couple since legal separation is not recognized in South Carolina. You are either married or you are not. Divorce is the official end of a marriage.
That depends on how the divorce agreement reads. The judge may order the spouse paying alimony to pay directly to the person getting alimony, or to make the payments through Family Court.
