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Nancy Jo Thomason has a great deal of experience representing clients in all types of Family Court cases. Our firm offers an initial consultation regarding Family Court matters for a nominal charge which is credited towards your retainer fee, should you decide to hire us. There is no consultation fee for other types of cases.
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In South Carolina, parties are only entitled to seek a divorce if one of four statutory grounds for divorce is proven. These are: adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkeness/drug abuse, or one year's continuous separation. In the alternative, if parties simply cannot get along, there is an action known as Separate Support and Maintenance which allows parties who are no longer living together to request certain types of relief.
In any of these cases, the parties are usually entitled to request a temporary hearing, which is scheduled shortly after the case is filed. The purpose of this hearing is to address immediate issues such as child custody, support and visitation. Other concerns such as possession of the marital residence, alimony, restraining orders and anything else the Court may need to address on a temporary basis will also be decided at that time.
Most parties go to Court at least once, however, sometimes Court intervention is needed several times during the process of a divorce. We make every effort to make this process as easy as possible during this very difficult time.
To get more of your questions answered, feel free to call to schedule a consultation. 864-226-7222. You can also email to nancyjo@njthomason.com.
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Many times there are reasons that custody of a child or children is contested during a divorce case or there may be a change of circumstances such that a parent may believe it necessary to file an action for a change of custody after a previous order has been in place. Further, parties who have children, but have never married, often need Court intervention to help define their rights and duties if their relationship ends.
"How old does my child have to be before she can tell the Court where she wants to live?" A question that every lawyer hears often. My typical response is, "18." Parents sometimes look at me puzzled when they hear this answer. The fact is that there is no "magic" age at which a child may make a decision about where to live. However, as a child grows older, her opinions and feelings regarding family members are more easily expressed and understood by the Court. Therefore, the desires of the child are just one factor that a Judge will consider when determining custody in a contested case.
There are certain extreme cases that need immediate Court intervention. In rare circumstances, lawyers can request the Court grant an emergency hearing. These types of hearings are reserved for extremely serious situations where it is readily apparent that some harm might befall a party or child if the issues are not brought before the Court immediately.
To get more of your questions answered, feel free to call to schedule a consultation. 864-226-7222. You can also email to nancyjo@njthomason.com. |
Child Support is always subject to review during the child's minority. If significant changes in circumstances exist, the Court can increase or decrease child support accordingly. Things that would effect child support would include a significant increase or decrease in income, an increase or decrease in daycare or insurance costs, or any other special circumstances.
Child Support in South Carolina is calculated using a formula known as "The South Carolina Child Support Guidelines." There are only a few situations where a Court would deviate from the guidelines. You can use a child support calculator on the Department of Social Services Website to see what your child support payments might be. See the link below. However, PLEASE DO NOT use the information contained on our website or on The South Carolina Department of Social Services website as a substitute for legal advice from a qualified attorney. Every case is different and you need advice based on the facts of your unique situation. However, if you would like to review the calculator, go to: http://www.state.sc.us/dss/csed/ and click on the calculator.
To get more of your questions answered, feel free to call to schedule a consultation. 864-226-7222. You can also email to nancyjo@njthomason.com. |
When children under the age of 17 are accused of violating the law, they are referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Family Court for disposition of those charges. While some more serious charges against juveniles may be dealt with in adult court (general sessions) most juvenile cases are handled in Family Court.
Judges, rather than a jury, determine the facts in a juvenile case. Juveniles are either adjudicated delinquent or not by the Judge. If a Judge finds a juvenile delinquent for violating the law, several different types of punishment may be imposed ranging from a fine or probation to secured detention.
Parents are required to provide a lawyer for their child accused of a violation of law that is pending before the Family Court. If the family does not qualify for the services of the Public Defender, a private attorney will need to be hired to represent the child.
Nancy Jo has been representing juveniles regularly since she was a Public Defender for juveniles in 2000. She was a member of the South Carolina Board of Juvenile Parole for six years, one of which she served as Chairman.
To get more of your questions answered, feel free to call to schedule a consultation. 864-226-7222. You can also email to nancyjo@njthomason.com.
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The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
Copyright©2007 by Law Office of Nancy Jo Thomason. All rights reserved.
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