Wellford, Alabama Family Lawyers

Few areas of law uncover the raw emotions of family law. Divorce, child custody, paternity, and child support are all deeply personal issues that have the possibility of completely changing your life. If you’re considering divorce or struggling with other family law issues in Wellford, know that you’re not alone. A significant number of marriages end in divorce, and couples who have never been married may still have to face issues of child custody, paternity, child support, and more.

One of the most important parts of making it through this challenging time is having the right legal team on your side. With an attorney that has the ideal balance of empathy, experience, and dedication, you can fight for what matters most to you. To schedule a consultation with the Wellford family law attorneys at Nowell Law Firm, give us a call at 864-469-2481.

Divorce in South Carolina

There are numerous factors to consider when divorce is on the table in South Carolina. One of the most important choices you’ll need to make is whether to pursue fault or no-fault divorce. This decision essentially determines how long your divorce will take and how much evidence you’ll need to put forth.

The majority of couples opt for no-fault divorce; you do not have to prove that there was wrongdoing on either party’s part. You’re simply declaring that the marriage is unsalvageable and that it must be dissolved. You may opt for a fault divorce if your partner abused you, cheated on you, abandoned you for at least one year, or was addicted to drugs or alcohol. If you go this route, you will need to prove that your claims are true. The upside of a fault-based divorce is that it may help you with the division of assets and child custody, depending on what the other party did.

The division of assets is a big component of a divorce. Whether you and your spouse have minimal assets or an entire portfolio, you both want to leave the marriage with what you need for a fresh start. Even if you’re early in the process, start thinking about your long-term goals. What assets are you most intent on keeping, and which assets are you willing to give up? Where is there room for compromise, and where will you draw a hard line?

Child Custody and Support

You can fight for both legal and physical custody of your child in South Carolina. At all times, the best interests of the child reign supreme. While both parents may have their own ideas about what is actually best for the child, the court will intervene and make a decision if the parents are unable to come to an agreement.

Legal custody refers to the right to make important decisions regarding the child’s medical care, education, and religion. In many cases, even a parent who has lost physical custody can still retain legal custody and play an important role in their child’s upbringing. When both parties have legal custody, they must collaborate to decide what is best for the child—for example, will the child go to the school assigned to them based on their address or will the parents spring for the Wellford Academy of Science and Technology?

Physical custody refers to where the child lives. As a general rule, the court wants to see the child get substantial time with both parents. They believe that the child has the right to a relationship with both parents and on top of that, the parents should have a right to raise their child. There are circumstances in which it’s better for one party to serve as primary or sole caretaker. This may be the best option if one parent has an unpredictable work schedule, moves out of state, or has a history of abuse.

Child support in South Carolina is reliant on the parenting schedule in place and both parties’ income. Other factors can also increase or decrease support.

Alimony

One topic that often comes up in South Carolina divorces is alimony. Spousal support has become less and less common over the years, due to the uptick in households with two working parents. The goal of alimony is to give a lower-earning or non-earning spouse the opportunity to back on their feet. Alimony should support them while they further their career or education and work toward self-sufficiency. While alimony can be permanent, it is quite uncommon.

Prenuptial Agreements

Many of the issues and topics we’ve discussed here can be avoided entirely or at least minimized with a prenuptial agreement. If you’re getting married and either you or your partner have significant assets or debt, a prenuptial agreement is one way to protect both of you.

Modification and Termination of Orders

Our support of you doesn’t end when your marriage is officially dissolved. We recognize that life circumstances change, and you may need your child support, alimony, or child custody modified over the years. We’ll advocate for your best interests when these issues arise.

How Nowell Law Firm Can Help You

At Nowell Law Firm, we know how divorce, questions of child custody and support, and other issues can derail your plans for your life and leave you unsure of your next steps. With our help, you can feel confident that the decisions you make are based on what’s best for you—not just your current emotions. Our goal is to listen to what you want most, then create a strategy that puts your needs and wants first. We’ll keep you involved and informed every step of the way, so you always know what your options are, how they may play out, and what we recommend.

Reach Out to Us Today to Discuss Your Family Law Needs

When you’re ready to move forward with a prenuptial agreement, divorce, or child custody concern, the team at Nowell Law Firm is here to help. Set up a time to talk to one of our experienced attorneys now by reaching out online or calling us at 864-469-2481.