Child custody and support in South Carolina

Custody of the Children In South Carolina

In South Carolina, the best interests of the child are always at the forefront of decisions that are made. Joint or sole custody may be granted. Joint legal custody can give both parents the ability to contribute to the decision making process and upbringing of the child. Joint legal custody can exist, and one parent can still be the primary caregiver and have the child the majority of the time with the other parent having a parenting schedule. Joint physical custody exists when both parents have the children for equal or near-equal time.

South Carolina Child Support Guidelines

The state-standard child support guidelines in South Carolina apply in nearly every case, barring exceptional circumstances. When child support is calculated, both parents’ gross incomes and the expenses related to caring for the child are taken to account. Support continues until the child reaches age 18, and it can extend further until the child completes secondary education.