Parental Rights Lawyers in Mt. Pleasant, SC
Parental rights are at the core of family life, shaping everything from a child's living arrangements to who makes decisions about their education, healthcare, and emotional well-being.
For many parents in Mount Pleasant and the greater Charleston area, concerns about parental rights arise during divorce, custody disputes, paternity cases, or situations involving potential abuse or neglect.
Klok Law Firm provides robust and compassionate representation to help parents understand and protect their rights. Our Mt. Pleasant parental rights attorneys work to keep your relationships with your children secure and legally protected.
We offer free initial in-house or virtual consultations. Call (843) 701-1695 or connect with us online to make an appointment. Hablamos español.
How We Can Help in Parental Rights Cases
Klok Law Firm brings over 30 years of hands-on experience in family law to cases involving parental rights and responsibilities. Our attorneys take time to understand your concerns, explain your legal options, and build a strategy designed to safeguard your rights and protect your child’s best interests.
Furthermore, our husband-and-wife team has both been volunteer Guardians ad litem, protecting and speaking on behalf of children in South Carolina courts. Their recommendations in these cases have often significantly influenced final custody cases.
Our support typically includes:
- A clear explanation of your parental rights under South Carolina law
- Guidance on your strongest legal position in custody, visitation, or paternity cases
- Courtroom advocacy when your rights are challenged or threatened
- Assistance in resolving disputes through mediation or collaborative law
- Help gathering evidence and presenting facts that demonstrate your role as a committed, capable parent
- Spanish-speaking services, virtual appointments, and flexible payment options
We strive to preserve parent-child relationships while minimizing unnecessary conflict, cost, and stress.
What Is Your Parental Rights Issue?
Parental rights issues are often emotionally charged because they involve the most critical relationships in a person’s life.
Family Law 101
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 843-701-1695 today!
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Calculating Child SupportIn South Carolina, Child Support Guidelines are available for temporary and permanent child support orders. The child support calculation model is based on an incomes shares model that calculates child support as the share of each parent’s income which would have been spent on the children if the parents and children were living in the same household.
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How Do I Get Child Support?If you are receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) DSS will automatically apply for child support services to you. Through the South Carolina Department of social Services Division (CSSD), any parent who has physical custody and needs help obtaining child support may apply for services. A non-custodial parent may apply to have paternity established. If you are not receiving TANF, you are charged $25.00 a year after $500.00 in child support has been collected.
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Family Medical Leave Act and Child SupportIn South Carolina, Child Support Orders are only modified if there has been a substantial change in circumstances. FMLA situations are usually temporary in nature and would not be considered a substantial change in circumstances.
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Child Support Guidelines in South Carolina
The guidelines provide for calculation of child support for a combined parental gross income of up to $30,000 per month, or $360,000 per year. If the combined gross income is higher, then the court should determine child support on a case-by-case basis.
Deviation from the guidelines is the exception and not the rule. The Child Support Guidelines do not take into account the following factors which can be possible reason for deviation:
1. Educational expenses for the child(ren) or the spouse (i.e., those incurred for private, parochial, or trade schools, other secondary schools, or post‐secondary education where there is tuition or related costs);
2. Equitable distribution of property;
3. Consumer debts;
4. Families with more than six children;
5. Unreimbursed extraordinary medical/dental expenses for either parent, or extraordinary travel expenses for court‐ordered visitation;
6. Mandatory deduction of retirement pensions and union fees;
7. Child‐related unreimbursed extraordinary medical expenses;
8. Monthly fixed payments imposed by court or operation of law;
9. Significant available income of the child(ren);
10. Substantial disparity of the parents’ incomes;
11. Alimony. Because of their unique nature, lump sum, rehabilitative and reimbursement alimony may be considered by the court as a possible reason for
deviation from these guidelines;
12. Agreements Reached Between Parties. The court may deviate from the guidelines based on an agreement between the parties if both parties are represented by counsel or if, upon a thorough examination of any party not represented by counsel, the court determines the party fully understands the agreement as to child support. The court still has the discretion and the independent duty to determine if the amount is reasonable and in the best interest of the child(ren).
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South Carolina Child Support CalculatorThe South Carolina Department of Social Services provides a free Child Support Calculator online to obtain an estimate of how much child support may be ordered in your case.
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Health Insurance and Child SupportMost courts will require that the parents provide health care insurance for their children, in addition to paying co-pays, deductibles and non-covered expenses. The South Carolina Child Support Guidelines take into account the amount the parent pays for health insurance premiums for the children.
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Seven Myths of Child Support
MYTH: “I don’t have to let my ex see our children if they don’t pay child support.”
FACT: Payment of child support is completely separate from parenting time and you could be found in contempt of court refusing to allow your ex court ordered parenting time. However, you can file a Rule to Show Cause to have your ex show why they should not be held in contempt of court for failing to pay court ordered child support.
MYTH: “I only have to pay child support until my child turns 18.”
FACT: Child support may continue “..past the age of eighteen years if the child is enrolled and still attending high school, not to exceed high school graduation or the end of the school year after the child reaches nineteen.”
See S.C. Ann. Code § 63-3-530(A)(17)
MYTH: “I don’t have to pay child support after my ex remarries.”
FACT: Whether or not you or your ex marries has nothing to do with child support. You still have to pay. You may file to modify your child support payment based on a change in circumstances. However, the judge can look at all the circumstances, even your new spouse’s income.
MYTH: “I don’t have to pay for anything other than child support.”
FACT: The judge can order that you pay a portion of uninsured medical expenses over $250 each year.
Why Choose Us?
Our Firm is Committed to Promoting Individual’s Access to Justice
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Trustworthy
Klok Law has advocated for individual rights for more than 30 years.
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Providing Service in SpanishFamily law help provided by a Spanish-speaking team.
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Free Consultations AvailableLearn how our family lawyers can help during a free consult.
