Divorce Attorneys in Bluffton SC

Reliable Family Law Support in Hilton Head & Surrounding Areas

Disagreements involving matters of family law can quickly become contentious and unpleasant. Decisions in these cases can also have substantial ramifications on you and your family’s futures. When dealing with issues of divorce, child custody, visitation, or spousal support, you will need skilled legal representation that will do everything possible to protect your interests.

Our Bluffton family lawyers at Horton & Associates, LLC can help you navigate this delicate area of the law. We have over 15 years of legal experience and are intimately familiar with South Carolina’s family court system. Our team understands what is at stake in any family law conflict and will stop at nothing to secure a favorable outcome in your case. We serve clients in Bluffton, Hilton Head, & surrounding communities.

Dealing with a family law issue? Our Bluffton attorneys can advocate for you. Call (843) 420-1344 or contact us online to request an initial consultation.

Comprehensive Family Law Services Tailored for South Carolina Residents

The legal options available in any family law case will depend on your unique circumstances. When you first meet with us, our family lawyers in Bluffton, SC will review the facts of your case and your goals before determining what strategies and solutions can help you achieve them.

Our Bluffton family law attorneys can assist you with:

Divorce Proceedings: Uncontested and Contested Options in Bluffton

South Carolina accepts both uncontested and contested divorces.

• Uncontested divorces can occur if there are no disagreements over any element of the separation and both parties have lived separately for at least 1 continuous year.
• Contested divorces are more common and can be considered “no-fault” or “at-fault.” Adjudicating a divorce in family court will involve compelling a judge to make decisions involving disagreements over child custody, property division, debt division, child support, and more. A typical case will include presenting evidence and making arguments in court.

We can represent you throughout your divorce case and aggressively fight to protect your interests.

Child Custody Advocacy: Protecting Your Rights in Bluffton

Parents generally have the ability to reach their own custody agreements, but if they cannot agree, custody will be decided by the family court.

• Physical custody decides where the child will primarily live
• Legal custody governs who can make major life decisions.

Many parents seek both primary physical and legal custody. We can help you fight for what is in the best interests of your child and family.

Child Support Solutions: Ensuring Fair Payments in Bluffton

The parent that is not awarded primary physical custody will generally be required to pay some level of regular child support to the parent responsible for the day-to-day needs of the child. We can help you fight for a fair outcome when dealing with matters of child support. Our team can also assist you in seeking adjustments to child support or enforce issues of nonpayment.

Alimony and Spousal Support: Navigating Financial Obligations in Bluffton

One party may be required to pay alimony to their ex-spouse as part of a divorce settlement. Many divorcees are required to continue making alimony payments until their ex-spouse can become financially independent. The family court will heavily consider “at-fault” factors, including adultery, when making decisions about alimony and spousal support. Judges will also consider the length of the marriage, each party’s employment history and financial means, and the marital standard of living, among other factors. We can assist you with negotiating alimony, enforcing spousal support orders, and pursuing modifications to alimony orders.

Establishing Visitation Rights: Ensuring Time with Your Children in Bluffton

Parents that are not granted primary physical custody are almost always awarded visitation rights. This is intended to allow noncustodial parents to have unfettered opportunities to spend time with their children. Custodial parents are required to comply with all court-ordered visitation rights. Our team can help you if you are being inappropriately denied visitation. We can also assist you with requests to modify visitation orders.

Securing Orders of Protection: Keeping You Safe in Bluffton

If you have been physically abused or threatened with abuse by your spouse, you may be able to obtain an order of protection from a South Carolina family court.

• An emergency order can be issued ahead of a formal hearing and blocks the abusive spouse from contacting you or your children.
• A final order of protection, which can be issued after a formal hearing has been held, grants the recipient temporary physical and legal custody of any children and temporary possession of any shared residence. It can also require that the abusive spouse pay temporary support and ban them from selling, destroying, or giving away any shared assets.

We can assist you in seeking an order of protection and represent you at your hearing.

For dedicated family law support, contact our Bluffton team online or call (843) 420-1344 to discuss your case.