Myrtle Beach Family Law Lawyer

Going through a divorce or dealing with other family law issues can be stressful and emotionally draining. In dealing with legal matters that affect your family, you want to have an attorney on your side who understands what you are going through and can help you get through this difficult time in your life.

The Myrtle Beach family law attorneys at Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers, have many years of experience helping families throughout our area. Our compassionate lawyers will have your best interests at heart, as well as those of your children, and you can rely on us for impassioned and aggressive representation each step of the way to help you get the favorable results you seek.

Contact our law firm today at (843) 258-8074 or complete our contact form to request a confidential consultation.

Why Choose Us as Your Family Law Attorney in Myrtle Beach

Established in 2016, Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers has represented clients throughout Horry County, Aiken County, and all surrounding areas for more than seven years. We understand each family law case is unique, and we promise to sit with you and take the time to listen to your goals and concerns so that we can devise a customized strategy tailored to your specific needs.

Our lawyers will deliver straightforward advice regarding your rights and options to help you make informed decisions. We also promise to fight hard on your behalf throughout all legal proceedings to help ensure you obtain the best outcome possible.

In recognition of our remarkable professionalism, our attorneys have earned consistent top rankings and endorsements from members of the legal community. We have also received numerous five-star client reviews on Google, Avvo, and Facebook, and our law firm's website proudly displays some of the dozens of client testimonials we have received over the years.

To schedule a confidential consultation concerning your family law matter with a local attorney you can trust, call Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers, at (843) 258-8074 or contact us online. 

Types of Family Law Cases We Handle

The attorneys at Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers, have decades of combined experience helping individuals and families with their complex, emotional, and pressing family law issues. Our lawyers represent many clients in a variety of family law cases including:

• Adoptions
• Adult protection or elder abuse and neglect (Department Social Services)
• Alimony 
• Child abuse and neglect (Department Social Services) 
• Child support 
• Child custody 
• Division of marital property
• Divorce
• Juvenile justice (Solicitor's Office)
• Legal separation
• Name changes (child or adult)
• Termination of parental rights
• Visitation rights 

Our family law attorneys can also assist with preparing enforceable prenuptial agreements, and we can help with issues involving domestic violence. Our lawyers also have in-depth knowledge of financial issues facing older adults, and we can help you protect yourself or an elderly family member from financial abuse, or physical abuse and neglect.

Divorce

South Carolina recognizes fault-based and no-fault grounds for divorce. There is only one type of no-fault divorce. To qualify, the parties have to live separately and apart without cohabitating for over one year. As a general rule, the courts will not qualify one party living in another room as a living separate and apart.

In addition to no-fault, South Carolina also recognized four fault-based groups for divorce:

• Adultery
• Physical cruelty
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Desertion

Since South Carolina mandates couples to live apart for at least a year to obtain a no-fault divorce, the state doesn't really recognize desertion as grounds for fault. Couples may get a divorce 90 days after filing on fault-based grounds and satisfying the burden of proof regarding the fault.

South Carolina does not require you to have an attorney for a divorce. However, it is in your best interest to have an attorney help you navigate through the legal process of obtaining a divorce. 

Your final divorce agreement/order is one of the most important documents of the process and will have implications for you and your family for years to come.  Having an attorney with experience in drafting such agreements can save you legal fees after your divorce is complete should one of the parties not comply with the final order.

MORE ABOUT DIVORCE

Divorce Mediation

Although many people picture contentious courtroom dramas when thinking about divorce, the truth is most divorces settle outside of court. South Carolina requires both spouses to attend mediation prior to appearing in family court.

During mediation, an impartial third party (who is usually an attorney trained and certified in divorce mediation) will work with both parties to try and get them to compromise on the terms of the divorce agreement. Parties will discuss all aspects of the divorce, including child custody and support, property division, alimony, and other issues.

Once parties have agreed on terms, the mediator will draft the agreement and present it to the court for approval. If you cannot agree on terms, you will have to take your case to court to have a judge decide.

You may have your family law attorney present with you during your Myrtle Beach divorce mediation. Our family law attorneys can assist you during the mediation, and we will fight for you in court if necessary.

Child Custody

A mother and father are joint natural guardians of their minor children and are equally responsible for their children's welfare, education, and upbringing. The mother and father have equal power, rights, and duties, and neither parent has any more rights than the other concerning custody or the control of matters affecting the minor children. In other words, courts do not automatically assume the mother is a better choice than the father, as long as there is no history of violence, abuse, or neglect (which includes alcohol and substance abuse).

South Carolina recognizes two forms of custody: sole and joint.

Sole custody provides exclusive rights and responsibility for one parent to make important decisions about a child's life. These areas include education, medical treatment, religion, and activities and interests. One parent may receive sole custody if the other cannot or will not make decisions in the child's best interests.

Joint custody provides both parents with equal rights to make important decisions regarding their children. Parents should be able to work together and come up with a plan to communicate effectively regarding their children and record that in the custody agreement.

Additionally, parents must determine physical custody, which is the amount of time the child spends with each parent. Many times, parents share physical custody, or the children may live primarily with one parent and visit the other parent regularly. In cases where the court deems one parent unfit for custody, the court may award sole physical custody to the other parent and allow the unfit parent supervised visitation.

Unless prohibited by a court order, either parent, whether the custodial or noncustodial parent, has equal access and the same right to obtain all educational and medical records of their minor children. Further, each parent has the right to participate in their children's school activities.

Under South Carolina law, neither parent shall forcibly take a child from the guardianship of the parent legally entitled to custody of that child.

MORE ABOUT CUSTODY

Contact an Experienced Family Law Attorney in Myrtle Beach

The family attorneys at Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers are here for you and your family when you need us. We are ready to listen to your story and help you get the best possible results from your divorce or other serious family law matter. 

Contact our law firm today at (843) 258-8074 to schedule a free and confidential consultation. We have law offices in Murrells Inlet and Aiken, and we serve clients throughout our region.