Hiring a Divorce or Family Lawyer in South Carolina
How divorce lawyers in South Carolina charge, the state's filing rules, how to check a lawyer's license, and free or low-cost family law help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in South Carolina: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Under South Carolina Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(c) (Rule 407, SCACR), a contingent fee agreement must be in a writing signed by the client stating how the fee is determined, including the percentage(s) for settlement, trial or appeal; litigation and other expenses deducted from the recovery; and whether expenses are deducted before or after the fee is calculated. It must clearly notify the client of any expenses the client will be expected to pay, and at the end the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and, if there is a recovery, the remittance and how it was determined. Rule 1.5(d) bars fees in domestic relations matters contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support or property settlement (though a contingency fee may be charged to collect past-due alimony or child support), and contingent fees for defending a criminal case. |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The South Carolina Bar's Resolution of Fee Disputes Board (created by Rule 416, SCACR) resolves fee, cost and disbursement disputes between clients and Bar members. It will not take disputes of $50,000 or more or fees that must be approved by a court or other tribunal, and a dispute cannot be filed more than three years after it arose. Apply with the Bar's Application for Resolution of Disputed Fee, attaching copies (not originals) of supporting documents. For low-level misunderstandings not involving ethics violations, the Bar's Client Assistance Program can help. Rule 416 limits: https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-416/rule-2/ |
| If a lawyer takes your money | The South Carolina Bar's Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection (Rule 411, SCACR) reimburses losses caused by a Bar member's dishonest conduct when the lawyer has died, been disbarred or suspended, resigned, been declared incompetent, gone bankrupt, left the state or cannot be found, or become a judgment debtor for that conduct. Payments are a matter of grace, not right, up to $40,000 per claim and $200,000 total per attorney. The application must reach the Bar within three years after you discovered (or should have discovered) the dishonest conduct, and no application is considered more than six years after the conduct. Application: https://www.scbar.org/for-the-public/quicklinks/help-with-your-attorney/ |
South Carolina rules to know first
| Residency requirement | The person filing must have lived in South Carolina for at least one year before filing (or, if the filer is a nonresident, the other spouse must have). If both spouses live in South Carolina when the case is filed, the filer only needs three months of residence. For active-duty military stationed in South Carolina, residence means continuous presence for the required period. Source: S.C. Code 20-3-30 |
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| Filing fee | The Family Court filing fee for divorce, annulment, and separate support and maintenance actions is $150. No fee is charged for cases filed with an order granting leave to proceed in forma pauperis (a Motion and Affidavit to Proceed In Forma Pauperis is part of the self-help packet) or for cases handled by legal aid, legal services, nonprofit or Pro Bono Program attorneys. Motions in family court carry a separate $25 fee. |
| Uncontested divorce | The family court may grant an uncontested divorce based on one year's separation without a hearing if the only relief requested is the divorce and any related name change, and the parties submit sworn written testimony (with photo identification) from the parties and corroborating witnesses about jurisdiction, venue, the dates of marriage and separation, and that reconciliation is impossible. If other relief is requested (such as custody, support, alimony or property division), a hearing is required. The Judicial Branch publishes Self-Represented Litigant Simple Divorce Packets. |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The South Carolina Bar's Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) connects you with a lawyer by type of law and location. Call (803) 799-7100 (9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) or use the online referral service 24/7. Each participating lawyer agrees to charge no more than $50 for a 30-minute consultation; beyond that, or if you hire the lawyer, normal fees apply. LRS lawyers do not take pro bono cases. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The South Carolina Judicial Branch's attorney search lets you search for attorneys licensed to practice law in South Carolina by first name, last name or bar number; a successful search gives the attorney's name, phone number, address and email address. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Complaints about South Carolina lawyers go to the Supreme Court's Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC); the South Carolina Bar does not license, investigate or discipline attorneys. A complaint must be in writing and signed by the person making it, fully identify the lawyer, describe what happened in detail with copies of supporting documents, and include your contact information; the ODC form is optional. File by mail to Office of Disciplinary Counsel, Post Office Box 12159, Columbia, SC 29211, or by hand delivery to 1220 Senate Street, Suite 201, Columbia, SC 29201. Email is not accepted. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | People who cannot afford a lawyer may qualify for help from South Carolina Legal Services, which offers an online intake form (through LawHelp.org/SC) to check eligibility for legal aid. The SC Bar also points to SC Free Legal Answers, a virtual clinic where qualifying users can post civil legal questions to volunteer lawyers. LSC lists South Carolina Legal Services as its South Carolina grantee. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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All legal help in South Carolina · Do I need a lawyer?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.