A vibrant street lined with palm trees and historic buildings, bustling with traffic and people under a pastel sunset sky.

Child Support Lawyers in Charleston, SC

At Martin Murphy Law, LLC, we guide families and individuals through some of life’s most difficult challenges. From divorce and custody disputes to serious injuries caused by accidents, we combine compassion with experience to fight for the outcomes that matter most.

Contact Us Today LEARN MORE ABOUT US

Both parents are responsible for financially supporting shared children in South Carolina. Whether you need help obtaining, modifying, or terminating child support in the Tri-County area, contact the compassionate Charleston child support lawyer at Martin Murphy Law LLC. Call our experienced Moncks Corner family legal team today at (843) 809-0232 or schedule a consultation online.

Understanding South Carolina’s Child Support Guidelines

If South Carolina’s 43-page child support calculation guidelines seem complex, that’s because they are. Child support payments are non-negotiable, meaning co-parents cannot agree to accept any amount below the minimum guideline calculations. Our experienced Charleston child support calculation attorney might help you calculate your S.C. child support obligations based on the following legal factors:

The court also considers factors such as unique custody agreements, unstable self-employment income, and potential income. Potential income, which can be automatically attributed to one parent, refers to that parent’s earning potential if he or she refuses to obtain valuable employment. It’s also common for certain self-employed individuals to hide cash income from the record, which our experienced Tri-County area child support lawyer know how to expose.

Modifying Charleston Child Support Orders

After the court calculates each parent’s child support obligations, one parent will generally owe the other parent a certain monthly sum. If the payee’s income changes or your child experiences certain medical emergencies, you might need a Moncks Corner child support modification lawyer to help get your support order changed.

Importantly, you should not stop paying support as owed without a court order. Parents who suddenly lose their income or experience financial emergencies should do their best to immediately contact family legal counsel in Charleston to file a modification petition and do their best to make at least partial payments in good faith. This can help protect you from violating a court order and compounding arrears.

Options for Terminating Child Support Payments and Obtaining Arrears in Moncks Corner

Most parents qualify to terminate their legal child support obligations once the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later. Certain additional circumstances – such as the child’s marriage, emancipation, or ability to self-support – also permit parents to terminate their support obligations. However, our clients often mistakenly stop paying support once a qualifying event occurs without a court order. You must continue to make court-ordered payments until the court terminates or changes the order.

If your co-parent unlawfully stopped paying ordered support, you have the right to seek arrears. South Carolina DSS might help you establish paternity, locate out-of-state parents, and obtain arrears, but they often have an extensive backlog. If you need help obtaining arrears and needed support now, retain a private Moncks Corner child support enforcement attorney from Martin Murphy Law LLC.

Consult Our Child Support Lawyer in Charleston, S.C.

South Carolina family courts consider numerous factors in determining the amount of child support each parent owes, depending on the income and custody arrangement. Discuss calculating, modifying, obtaining, or terminating child support with our experienced Moncks Corner family attorney serving the Tri-County area today by calling (843) 809-0232 or connecting with us online.