SC Child Support Lawyer

Every child has the right to financial and emotional support from both parents. When parents no longer live together, ensuring that both contribute to the child's well-being is essential. South Carolina law requires that child support be established in cases where parents are separated, divorced, or never married. A fair child support arrangement helps provide for a child's basic needs, including housing, food, healthcare, and education. If parents cannot agree on an amount, the court will determine support based on state guidelines.

How Is Child Support Calculated in South Carolina?

Child support in South Carolina is calculated using a formula that considers various financial and practical factors. The court reviews each parent's gross income, child care expenses, medical costs, and the time each parent spends with the child. If a child has special needs, additional financial support may be required to cover medical or educational expenses. Courts also examine whether a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed to avoid financial responsibility.

Because child support calculations involve detailed financial disclosures, it is crucial to ensure all income is accurately reported. Our thorough and dedicated child support lawyer team in Charleston can help you gather and present the necessary financial information to ensure that the court determines a fair support amount.

Child Support and Military Parents in South Carolina

For parents serving in the military, child support obligations are slightly different.
Military service members are required to provide child support for their children, even before a formal court order is issued. Each branch of the military has its own regulations requiring service members to pay interim child support if an official order is not yet in place. Once a court order is established, child support payments are typically deducted directly from the service member’s paycheck through wage garnishment.

Deployments and frequent relocations can complicate child support matters. If a service member's income or living situation changes due to deployment, they may need to request a modification of their child support order. Likewise, if the custodial parent relocates due to military orders, it may impact parenting time and child support arrangements. Our skilled South Carolina child support lawyer team has experience handling military family law matters and can help you navigate these unique challenges.

Enforcing and Modifying Child Support Orders

When a parent fails to pay child support, legal action may be necessary. Courts have several enforcement tools, including wage garnishment, suspension of driver’s and professional licenses, and interception of tax refunds. In severe cases, nonpayment can result in contempt of court charges, leading to fines or jail time. If you are not receiving the support you are owed, a chisel support lawyer can help you take legal steps to enforce the order.

Life circumstances change, and sometimes a child support order needs to be adjusted. If one parent loses a job, experiences a significant income change, or faces new financial responsibilities, they may need to seek a modification. Our experienced Charleston child support attorneys can guide you through the process of requesting an adjustment to ensure the payment amount remains fair and reasonable.

Get Help from an Experienced Charleston Child Support Lawyer

At Brinkley Law Firm, LLC, we understand that child support issues can be stressful and complicated. Whether you are seeking support, challenging an unfair payment amount, or dealing with enforcement or modification concerns, our seasoned child support lawyers are here to help. We also have experience handling military family law matters and can assist service members and their families in securing fair child support arrangements.

If you need legal guidance on child support in South Carolina, contact Brinkley Law Firm, LLC today.
Let our compassionate and dedicated child support attorney team help you protect your financial future and ensure your child receives the support they deserve.