Parental Rights Lawyers in Mt. Pleasant, SC
30+ Years Protecting Parent-Child Relationships in Charleston
Parental rights govern the most consequential decisions in a child’s life: who they live with, who makes choices about their education and medical care, and who remains a recognized legal parent. When those rights are questioned, threatened, or at risk of being permanently severed, the outcome of court proceedings can shape the parent-child relationship for the rest of that child’s life.
Parents throughout the Charleston area, including Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, and surrounding communities, face these disputes in contexts ranging from divorce and custody modification to DSS investigations and termination of parental rights (TPR) proceedings. Whatever the trigger, the legal stakes are high, and the window to act is often narrow.
We offer free initial in-house or virtual consultations. Call (843) 701-1695 or connect with us online to make an appointment. Hablamos español.
What Sets Our Parental Rights Representation Apart
Klok Law Firm brings over 30 years of hands-on family law experience to parental rights cases across Charleston County. What distinguishes our approach isn’t just courtroom experience: both Rhett Klok and Suzanne Klok have served as volunteer Guardians ad litem (GALs) in South Carolina courts. A Guardian ad litem is an attorney or trained volunteer appointed by the court to investigate and advocate for a child’s best interests independently of either parent. Their GAL recommendations have played a meaningful role in final custody outcomes in the cases they handled.
That firsthand perspective from inside the process changes how we build a case. We understand what judges look for, how GAL reports are weighted, and what evidence can matter in Charleston County Family Court. Both attorneys are also certified mediators, giving us the ability to guide clients through negotiation, mediation, and litigation depending on what each situation demands.
Our support in parental rights cases includes:
- A clear explanation of your 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 resolving disputes through mediation or collaborative law
- Help gathering evidence that demonstrates your role as a committed, capable parent
- Virtual appointments and flexible payment options alongside in-person representation
When Charleston-Area Parents Need Legal Help
Parental rights disputes rarely announce themselves clearly. In many cases, a parent doesn’t realize how serious the situation has become until significant damage has already occurred. Early legal representation matters.
You may need a parental rights attorney when:
- The other parent is seeking to restrict or eliminate your custody or visitation
- The Department of Social Services (DSS) has opened an investigation into your household. DSS investigations can escalate quickly into removal actions or TPR proceedings
- You are an unmarried father whose paternity has not been legally established. Under South Carolina law, unmarried fathers have no presumed legal parental relationship at birth; without legal establishment of paternity, whether through a Paternity Acknowledgment Affidavit or a court order, custody and visitation rights don’t automatically attach
- You face allegations affecting your fitness as a parent
- The other parent is planning to relocate with your child
- You want to protect your child from an unsafe environment
- You are involved in adoption, guardianship, or foster care proceedings
- You are facing a termination of parental rights (TPR) proceeding
TPR is among the most serious actions in South Carolina family court. If granted, it permanently and legally ends the parent-child relationship, cutting off all legal ties, including custody and visitation. Charleston County Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction over TPR proceedings, and the process moves under strict statutory standards. Early representation can make a meaningful difference in your ability to protect your relationship with your child.
What Parental Rights Actually Cover
Many parents are surprised by the full legal scope of what “parental rights” includes. Under South Carolina law, these rights encompass:
- Decision-making authority over education, medical care, religion, and upbringing
- Physical custody and visitation schedules
- Access to school, medical, and other records
- The right to be notified and involved in court actions affecting the child
- Authority to consent to medical treatment
- Rights related to relocation
- Rights during foster care placements
- Rights connected to adoption or guardianship proceedings
When any of these areas are threatened or unclear, court proceedings can define how involved you are in your child’s life for years to come. We work with clients across the full range of family law matters to protect each of these interests.
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.
