Family Law Attorneys In Lexington, SC

Taking legal action in a divorce or another family dispute is hard on everyone involved. Setting realistic goals can lead to sensible solutions. Assistance from an experienced attorney can help reduce stress and help you stay focused on meeting tomorrow’s needs. The lawyers of The Kinard Law Group understand the emotional impact a family law issue can have on you and your family. Our family law attorneys will take the time to listen and handle your case with empathy, compassion and complete confidentiality.

Local Representation You Can Trust

In addition to providing guidance in divorce, our attorneys also represent clients in Lexington, Columbia, and throughout South Carolina, with a variety of other family law matters including:

• Legal separation
• Legal and physical child custody
• Modifications to prior family court orders, including child support, custody, and visitation orders
• Child visitation
• Child support (including a collection of delinquent child support payments)
• Alimony (sometimes called spousal support)
• Property division
• Paternity matters
• Juvenile law issues
• Department of Social Services (DSS) issues

No matter what your legal needs may be, you can expect personalized attention throughout the duration of your case as well as customized legal solutions based on your needs and goals.

Answers To Common Questions About Family Law

It’s natural to be filled with questions during an uncertain time in your life. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions we receive from prospective clients just like you.

What does a family law attorney do?

The job of a family law attorney is to guide you through your legal matter while offering highly relevant advice and ensuring that your rights and interests are protected. Our attorneys are experienced in all aspects of family law, and we understand that a decision made in one area (such as the division of assets) could have implications for other areas (like alimony).

The outcome of your family law case will have a significant impact on your future, your finances and your relationship with your children. Therefore, it is critical to have a legal professional advocating for you and your kids at all times. That’s what we do.

How do I file for divorce in South Carolina?

The easiest way to initiate the divorce process is to contact an attorney. While you can file the paperwork yourself, we do not advise doing so without a lawyer for the reasons mentioned above.

Before you file, you must meet South Carolina residency requirements. Immediately prior to filing, either spouse must have lived in the state for a year, or both spouses must have lived here for at least the previous three months.

Although you can state “grounds” or “fault” when filing for divorce, most couples choose to pursue no-fault divorce since it does not require alleging and proving that one spouse’s wrongdoing caused the breakdown of the marriage.

Which factors do judges consider when awarding custody visitation?

Judges in South Carolina must make custody decisions based on the “best interests of the child.” There are numerous criteria they will consider when assessing those best interests. We discuss these in greater detail on our child custody and support matters page.

How is alimony (spousal support) calculated?

Unlike child support, which is highly formulaic, there is no formula for calculating alimony. It is highly customizable and left to the discretion of a judge (or agreement between the parties). You can learn more by visiting our alimony page.

How long does the family law legal process typically take?

Unfortunately, there is no standard answer because the timeline depends on the details of the case. The shortest timeline would involve an “uncontested divorce,” in which the couple has agreed to all terms before filing. If there are terms that need to be worked out, a case resolved through negotiation or mediation is likely to be shorter than a litigated one.

Reach Out Today To Discuss Your Legal Needs

From offices in Lexington, our attorneys at The Kinard Law Group serve clients throughout South Carolina. To schedule your consultation, connect with us online or call 803-359-1003.