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Divorce

Helping Your Family Through Separation and Divorce

Divorce can be one of the most stressful and difficult times for you and your family.   At Murray Law Group, LLC, our legal services attorneys have been helping men and women throughout Horry and Georgetown counties for more than a decade.  We understand that divorce is not just a legal process, but an emotional and financial one too.  Divorce does not just affect you and your spouse, but your children and your entire family.  In every divorce case, from the simple and uncontested cases to issues surrounding contested custody actions and multimillion-dollar estates, comes with a unique story.  That is why we take the time to listen to our clients and strive to customize a plan that takes into consideration all of the factors that your case presents. 

We believe in providing very focused attention to our new client process.  As a possible new client, you will meet with an attorney on your first visit to our office.  This helps us to properly evaluate your situation. Though we handle a broad spectrum of divorce cases, from short-term marriages to complex cases with contested custody and large marital assets, we do not take every case that comes through our door. We will only work with a client if we feel that we are a good fit for their needs. We do this to offer the level of time and care that your case needs.

We know that going through a divorce can make life feel out of control for our clients. We do everything we can to involve them in the process, answer their questions, and educate them so they can make the best decisions possible for their divorce and their family. You’ll find the support and understand you need here at Murray Law Group, LLC.

Understanding South Carolina Separation and Divorce Law

Separate Support and Maintenance

Unlike many states, South Carolina does not recognize legal separation.  The law in South Carolina does permit individuals who are married to seek a form of relief that is similar by petitioning the court for "Separate Support and Maintenance".

Separate Support and Maintenance allows couples to seek most of the same type of relief that they would request in a divorce when they may not have sufficient grounds or desire to seek a divorce.  By filing a Complaint for Separate Support and Maintenance a Family Court can, as in a divorce, deal with issues of custody of minor children, visitation, child support, alimony, restraining orders, equitable division of marital assets and debts, pretrial discovery, attorney’s fees and more.  If you have more questions about Separate Support and Maintenance, call Murray Law Group, LLC and schedule a consultation today.

Divorce

South Carolina recognizes both fault and "no fault" grounds for Divorce.  To obtain a “no fault” divorce, you must first establish that you or your spouse has been a resident of South Carolina for at least one year or that you and your spouse have both resided in South Carolina for three months.  In addition, you must prove to the court that you have been living apart from your spouse for a minimum of one year without cohabitation. 
South Carolina also recognizes four fault-based grounds for divorce, these are:

  • Adultery
  • Physical Cruelty
  • Desertion
  • Habitual Drunkenness and/or Drug Abuse

To obtain a divorce in South Carolina, generally a witness must testify to either the “no fault” basis for divorce or the fault basis for divorce.  Often friends or family are sufficient to establish the grounds for divorce. Sometimes, however, professional assistance from a private investigator, police officer or doctor is necessary to establish the basis for divorce. 

Regardless of the basis for divorce, the goal of a successful divorce is always the same.  That goal is to sever the legal ties that bind the parties and divide the marital estate.   Your marital estate includes not only the assets and debts that you and your spouse have accumulated over the course of your marriage but also dealing with the issues of custody of children, child support, visitation and the rules by which you and your spouse will conduct yourselves going forward when dealing with your children and their care. 

Whether you are looking to file for Separate Support and Maintenance or Divorce, or whether you have already been confronted with paperwork from your spouse, contact Murray Law Group, LLC and schedule a consultation today. We understand and we are here to help you. So, Don't Worry, Call Murray!

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