Conway Family Lawyer

Conway Family Attorney

Family is a top priority for many people. As such, family law cases can be particularly difficult and emotional. Whether you are facing divorce, child custody, child support, or spousal support negotiations, it is important to prepare yourself for the process ahead.

Having a Conway family attorney on your side can make your family law claim much easier to navigate. Not only can a family lawyer represent you in court, but we can also provide reliable information. That way, you can make informed decisions about your case as well as your family’s future.

Our team at Axelrod & Associates, P.A., is proud to provide comprehensive family law services in Conway, SC.

Axelrod & Associates, P.A.: Your Conway Family Lawyers

Our family attorneys work diligently to protect families of all types in a variety of legal cases. With over 100 years of combined experience, our team can confidently provide legal counsel for any family law case you may encounter. You can rely on our team to offer honest, informed advice throughout your case and represent your unique interests in court.

During our many years in this field, we have seen how emotionally difficult family law cases can be. Because of this, we approach all our family law clients with the utmost respect and care. We aim to make all our family clients feel safe and heard when they work with us.

Protect your family and your family’s future with an attorney from Axelrod & Associates, P.A.

What Is Family Law?

Family law is a broad area of the legal system that handles family-centered legal issues. Although many of the topics in family law can arise independently, they often occur because of divorce. No matter what scenario you are facing, it is important to understand how your case fits into family law as a whole.

Divorce

Divorce cases are a common type of family law issue during which a couple makes arrangements for their unmarried future. Our divorce lawyers have many years of experience representing clients in divorce scenarios. We aim to provide a smooth negotiation process. However, we do not shy away from courtroom litigation if we believe it is in your interest.

Property Division

Property division is the process by which a couple allocates their shared assets to one spouse or another. Generally, this happens during the divorce process, but it is possible in other scenarios as well.

The law requires that each spouse receive an equal portion of shared marital assets. Some couples sell their assets and split the profits, while others split the assets themselves. For example, one spouse may retain the house while the other spouse gets the cabin, boat, and savings account. As long as the value of each spouse’s portion is equal, you can format your property division in whichever way works for you.

Spousal Support

Some divorces warrant spousal support negotiations. Spousal support is a type of monthly financial payment that one ex-spouse pays to another ex-spouse. This support helps the receiving spouse maintain their lifestyle and financial stability even though their marriage has ended.

Spousal support is usually required in situations where one spouse earned the majority or all the money during the marriage. Perhaps the low-earning spouse agreed to cut their hours at work or leave their job to care for the home and family. A gap in their resume may make it difficult to find gainful employment, putting them in a position of financial vulnerability.

Negotiating spousal support is a key part of some divorces, but it is not necessary in all situations.

Child Custody

When a couple shares a child and gets divorced, they must develop a child custody agreement through the court system. The court’s top priority is the child’s safety and wellbeing. They will go through a thorough process to ensure that any custody agreement protects the child or children at hand.

There are several child custody options available to parents:

• Shared Custody: This arrangement allows the child or children to spend equal amounts of time with both parents.
• Partial Custody: In this scenario, the child or children live with one parent most of the time. However, they still live with the other parent regularly.
• Visitation: In this arrangement, the child or children live with one parent nearly all the time. The other parent has the legal right to spend time with the child or children for a certain number of hours per month.
• Sole or Full Custody: The child or children live only with one parent. The other parent does not have the legal right to see or care for their child or children.

Although shared custody is the ideal goal, it is not always possible. The court will determine what is most beneficial for the child’s wellbeing. If the child is old enough to form an independent opinion, the court may take the child’s wishes into account.

Child Support

The law requires that a child’s parents contribute equally to the child’s upbringing. The primary way to do this is through child custody. However, if shared or equal custody is not possible, one parent may have to pay child support to make up for their diminished portion of care.

In some situations, a parent may share custody and still be required to pay child support. The court calculates each parent’s contribution as a percentage of their income. If one parent makes vastly more money than the other, their financial contribution in shared custody will be a lower percentage of their income than the lower-earning parent’s. To make the situation more equitable, the higher-earning parent may be required to pay child support.

Modifications

It is natural for a family’s situation to change over time. The law understands this and allows families to make modifications to their family law agreements. If you believe that your child custody, child support, or spousal support agreement requires updating, you can work to make changes with the help of an attorney.

It is important that all changes to family law agreements occur through the court system. If you try to come to an agreement on your own, the new terms will not be legally enforceable. You may face penalties for no longer adhering to the former agreement.

FAQs About Conway, SC Family Laws

How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost in South Carolina?

The cost of a family attorney will depend upon your case type and complexity, as well as the attorney that you use and their level of experience. Some law firms charge hourly for family law services, while others charge a percentage of the settlement. The average hourly rate for a South Carolina family lawyer is $247 per hour. To ensure that you can afford your attorney’s services, discuss rates with any potential attorneys that you interview.

What Are Some Tips for Hiring a Family Lawyer in South Carolina?

Every family is different, and it is important to find a family lawyer who has direct experience with situations like yours. You should find representation that has a good history of winning cases. They should also have comprehensive knowledge of family law. It is also important that you feel comfortable with your attorney, as you will be working closely with them in a very delicate situation. You should feel comfortable speaking openly with your lawyer.

Do I Need a Lawyer for My Family Law Case in South Carolina?

Although an attorney is not legally required, it is wise to hire legal representation for your family law case. The results of your claim will directly affect your family and your family’s future. Because of this, it is important to make every effort to negotiate favorable outcomes. If you do not hire legal representation, you may lose custody and assets. You could also be required to make support payments. To protect your interests, hire an attorney right away.

What Does a Family Lawyer Do?

A family lawyer negotiates the terms of a variety of family law agreements, including divorce, asset division, child custody, child support, spousal support, and more. In most cases, each party has their own family lawyer. These attorneys negotiate with one another to settle on an outcome that works for all parties. They also ensure that it adheres to state and federal laws. In a mediation setting, a family lawyer facilitates a conversation between two parties who negotiate themselves.

Can I Make Changes to My Child Custody Agreement?

Yes, modifications are common, especially for child custody agreements. Children’s needs change as they grow, and it is possible for your family to grow out of your child custody agreement. The court allows changes through an official process called modification. To make changes, you must do so in court with the help of an attorney. Otherwise, you risk having an unenforceable child custody agreement.

Contact Axelrod & Associates, P.A.

Our team at Axelrod & Associates, P.A., understands the stress and anxiety that family law claims can create. We are here to protect your interests and create the smoothest possible process for you and your family.

To schedule a consultation, contact Axelrod & Associates, P.A.