How do I start a divorce process?

In South Carolina, the process of filing for divorce can seem complicated. However, by following some simple steps, you can start the divorce process in South Carolina. First, you must review the South Carolina laws, which are available online. The laws will tell you what you need to do in order to move forward with the divorce. Once you understand the legal requirements, you must file a Complaint for Divorce with the Family Court of the county in which you live. The complaint is a document that officially informs the court of the divorce proceedings and informs them of the reasons for the divorce and the type of relief you are seeking. After filing the complaint, you must serve the complaint to your spouse. This can be accomplished through several methods such as personally delivering the documents or having your spouse served via certified mail. After service is complete, your spouse then has 30 days to respond to the complaint. If your spouse does not respond, the court may grant a Default Judgment which could grant you the relief you sought in the complaint. Otherwise, if your spouse does respond, both parties will have to go through separate processes for marriage counseling, mediation or arbitration. After all these processes, a final divorce decree is usually issued by the court. You may also want to consult a family lawyer in South Carolina who is familiar with divorce law to help guide you through the process. Speaking with a lawyer is especially important in cases where there are significant assets, children, and alimony involved. Overall, to begin the divorce process in South Carolina, you must file a Complaint for Divorce with the Family Court of the county, serve the complaint to your spouse, and go through separate processes as required by the court. It is best to consult a family lawyer to understand and carry out the process.

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