Navigating Uncontested Divorce With Children

Divorce is never easy, especially when children are involved. The thought of separating from your spouse and disrupting your children’s lives can be overwhelming.

However, in South Carolina, navigating an uncontested divorce with children can be made more manageable by understanding the legal requirements and seeking the right legal guidance. With careful consideration of child custody, child support, and parenting plans, you can ensure that your children’s best interests are protected throughout the process.

This article will guide you through the necessary steps of an uncontested divorce with children in South Carolina and discuss the ways a Rock Hill divorce lawyer can help. Call Okoye Law to schedule an appointment for us to review your case.

Understanding Uncontested Divorce in South Carolina

Before we dive into the specifics of an uncontested divorce with children, it’s important to understand uncontested divorce vs. traditional divorce in South Carolina.

An uncontested divorce is a type of divorce where both parties agree on all the divorce terms, such as child custody, child support, and property division.

In an uncontested divorce, the parties will submit an agreement to the court, and the court will review and approve it. This type of divorce can be less stressful and expensive than a contested divorce, where the court must decide on the disputed issues.

Key Considerations When Children Are Involved

Many additional factors must be considered when children are involved in a divorce. It’s important to consider these factors when navigating an uncontested divorce in South Carolina to ensure that your children’s best interests are protected.

Child Custody Arrangements

When children are involved in a divorce, child custody is often the most significant issue.

South Carolina has two types of child custody:

1. Joint custody is preferred for child custody arrangements. Joint custody means that both parents share legal and physical custody of the child. Joint custody can be either equal or primary, depending on the circumstances.
2. Sole custody is less common in South Carolina and is usually only awarded when one parent is deemed unfit or has a history of abuse or neglect. In sole custody, one parent has legal and physical custody of the child, and the other has limited or no visitation rights.

When deciding on custody arrangements in an uncontested divorce, it’s essential to consider what is in the child’s best interests.

The amount of child support is calculated based on:

• The income of both parents
• The number of children, and
• Expenses such as healthcare expenses and childcare costs.

The non-custodial parent is usually required to pay child support to the custodial parent.

Child support payments are typically ongoing until the child reaches the age of 18 or graduates from high school.

It is important to have a clear understanding of child support payments in an uncontested divorce and to ensure that the payments are made promptly.

Essential Components of a Successful Parenting Plan in SC Uncontested Divorces

A parenting plan is a written agreement between the parents that outlines how they will share custody and make important decisions about the child’s upbringing.

In South Carolina, parenting plans are required in all divorces involving children.

A parenting plan should address issues such as:

• Custody arrangements — These can include legal and physical custody and the schedule for the child’s time with each parent.
• Holiday and vacation schedules — The plan should include a schedule for holidays, school breaks, and vacations to ensure that both parents have equal time with the child.
• Communication — The plan should outline how the parents will communicate with each other about the child, such as through phone calls, text messages, or emails.
• Decision-making — The plan should specify how major decisions about the child’s upbringing will be made, including decisions about education, religion, and healthcare.
• Dispute resolution — The plan should outline how disputes will be resolved between the parents, such as through mediation or arbitration.
• Relocation — The plan should address how you will handle the relocation of either parent, including how it will impact the custody arrangement.

By including these key components in a parenting plan, parents can ensure that their child’s best interests are protected and that the plan effectively promotes a healthy co-parenting relationship.

To ensure that your parenting plan is comprehensive and effective, it’s crucial to work with an experienced family law attorney who can provide valuable guidance and expertise.

Hiring a Rock Hill Divorce Lawyer

Navigating an uncontested divorce with children in South Carolina can be complicated, and having the right legal guidance is essential.

Hiring an experienced divorce lawyer can help ensure that your rights are protected and your interests are represented. A divorce lawyer can also help you draft a comprehensive agreement that addresses all the necessary issues.

If you are in the midst of a divorce or considering it, contact us today at Okoye Law in Rock Hill, SC, today for help.