[[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"Answer Question","text":"The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides a packet of forms for those who choose not to retain a lawyer for their divorce. While this is a helpful service, court clerks cannot give any legal advice about how to complete the forms.  You can represent yourself in a simple divorce. However, an experienced divorce lawyer can assist in all aspects of your case, answer any questions you have along the way, and provide the support you need during this difficult time.","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-need-lawyer-to-get-divorced-in-south-carolina\/#Answer"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"Answer Question1","text":"A divorce is considered simple if it is uncontested. A complex divorce often requires extensive litigation to resolve disputes concerning substantial assets, joint business holdings, and child support and custody arrangements.","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-need-lawyer-to-get-divorced-in-south-carolina\/#Answer1"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"Answer Question2","text":"The \u201cSeparate and Apart\u201d Rule refers to a period of continuous separation where the spouses live separately, do not engage in a traditional marital relationship, and do not intend to repair the marriage. Under South Carolina law, spouses living separately for one year can be granted a \u201cno-fault\u201d divorce. The parties must live in two different locations to be considered separate and apart. In other words, living in different bedrooms in the same house does not mean living separate and apart.","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-need-lawyer-to-get-divorced-in-south-carolina\/#Answer2"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"Answer Question3","text":"Every divorce is different, so the timeline for couples seeking a divorce differs. If the spouses have lived separate and apart for one year, their divorce may be finalized shortly after the required 12-month period expires. The timeline for the court to set a hearing and issue a final decree will depend on how busy its docket is.  If you seek a divorce based on fault that your spouse does not contest, you could set a hearing as soon as 90 days after you file your complaint \u2013 depending on the court\u2019s docket.","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-need-lawyer-to-get-divorced-in-south-carolina\/#Answer3"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","text":"Although not required in divorce cases, an Order of Separate Support and Maintenance can help resolve immediate issues such as child support or custody, alimony, and property division. This court order is especially useful during the year the parties are living separately. While an Order of Separate Support and Maintenance is temporary, judges typically incorporate them into the final decree. Because the family court must approve the order, it is best to work with an experienced divorce attorney to help you negotiate the terms with your spouse and their counsel.","name":"Answer Question4","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-need-lawyer-to-get-divorced-in-south-carolina\/#Answer4"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","name":"Do you need a lawyer to get divorced in South Carolina","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-need-lawyer-to-get-divorced-in-south-carolina\/#Answer"},"name":"What Are the Self-Represented Litigant Simple Divorce Packets?","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-need-lawyer-to-get-divorced-in-south-carolina\/#Question"},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is a Simple Divorce the Same as an Uncontested Divorce?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-need-lawyer-to-get-divorced-in-south-carolina\/#Answer1"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-need-lawyer-to-get-divorced-in-south-carolina\/#Question1"},{"@type":"Question","name":"What Is the \"Separate and Apart\" Rule for a South Carolina Divorce?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-need-lawyer-to-get-divorced-in-south-carolina\/#Answer2"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-need-lawyer-to-get-divorced-in-south-carolina\/#Question2"},{"@type":"Question","name":"How Long Can an Uncontested Divorce Take?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-need-lawyer-to-get-divorced-in-south-carolina\/#Answer3"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-need-lawyer-to-get-divorced-in-south-carolina\/#Question3"},{"@type":"Question","name":"What Is an Order of Separate Support and Maintenance?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-need-lawyer-to-get-divorced-in-south-carolina\/#Answer4"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-need-lawyer-to-get-divorced-in-south-carolina\/#Question4"}],"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-need-lawyer-to-get-divorced-in-south-carolina\/#FAQPage"}],{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Do You Need a Lawyer to Get Divorced in South Carolina","item":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-need-lawyer-to-get-divorced-in-south-carolina\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]