South Carolina Child Support laws can be complex. Our child support lawyers know the law and fight for your rights. In South Carolina child support is controlled by guidelines but an experienced child support lawyer can help you get the best result. The amount of Child support is based on the gross incomes of the parents and the needs of the child. The child’s needs include expenses for food, shelter, utilities, household goods, clothing, transportation, ordinary healthcare and recreation. The Court can also consider healthcare expenses for the child including braces, medicines,therapies or other medical expenses.
SOUTH CAROLINA CHILD SUPPORT CALCULATOR
Click here to run the child support calculator. Please remember that the Court can vary from the guidelines if it has good enough reasons to do so.
SOUTH CAROLINA CHILD SUPPORT LAWS WHICH ALLOW VARIATION FROM GUIDELINES
The South Carolina Child Support laws are based on guidelines created by the South Carolina Department of Social Services. They are called “guidelines” for a reason. A Family Court Judge has the power to order an increase or decrease in South Carolina child support from the South Carolina Child Support guidelines. Here are some of reasons for varying from the guidelines:
- School expenses for child or spouse. This can include payment of religious and private school expenses;
- Consumer Debts. A court has the power to adjust child support based on one party paying a larger share of marital debts;
- Property division. A court can adjust child support based on an unequal division of property;
- Child’s income. A court can adjust child support based on the income of the child.
- Other Court ordered expenses of a parent including alimony;
- Noncourt ordered child support obligations of a parent;
- Agreements between parents (the Court must still approve the agreement); and
- Unreimbursed medical expenses for the child.
HOW LONG DOES CHILD SUPPORT LAST?
The Family Court can Order child support until or graduates from High School but not beyond 19 years old. The Court can also extend child support if the child has mental or physical disabilities. The Court can also continue child support through college under certain circumstances.