Child Support

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Helping Families Provide For Their Children

The South Carolina Child Support Guidelines govern the calculation of the majority of child support obligations in the state. We counsel and advocate for clients in issues related to initial calculation, failure to pay, and modifications and/or enforcement of existing child support orders.

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A Comprehensive Child Support Practice

Under South Carolina law, parents are obligated to provide "reasonable support" for their children. This support usually terminates when the child reaches 18 years of age, unless: (1) the child becomes emancipated sooner, (2) the parents agree to continue providing support, or (3) special circumstances exist that justify requiring parents to continue providing support for their children. The family court can also order the continuation of child support beyond the age of 18 if the child is still attending high school.

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Extenuating circumstances may exist that allow deviation from the Guidelines. However, deviation from the Guidelines should be the exception and not the rule. Possible grounds for deviation include:

Consumer debts

Educational expenses for the child or parent

Cases where a parent's income exceeds the amount contemplated by the Guidelines

Substantial disparity of income between the parents

Extraordinary expenses of a parent or child

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It is often challenging to calculate the true incomes of parents who have substantial investments, own businesses, or work in seasonal or cash-paying jobs. We regularly work with forensic accountants to accurately determine a parent's income — despite what the tax returns might say.