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I cheated on my wife, and another woman had a baby she initially claimed was mine. I signed a paternity acknowledgment affidavit and the birth certificate in Augusta, GA. However, she later mentioned another man might be the father, causing doubts for me. The child is 2 months old, and she is now... View More 
I have a court order with custody and support details regarding my child's biological father, who is now deceased. The county clerk has filed an order against his estate for payment of arrears. My husband, who has been caring for my child for six years, wants to adopt my child. Are there steps... View More
I live in South Carolina, and the father of my child lives in Delaware, but the child support case will be held in South Carolina. The father has three older daughters and currently sends me $300, which is not nearly enough for our daughter, who has started extracurricular activities. Additionally,... View More
What visitation rights do I, as a grandparent, have for my grandchildren whose mother, my daughter, is deceased? The children are currently with my ex-wife, and although there is no court order regarding visitation for me, I face obstacles whenever I request to see my 9, 7, and 1-year-old... View More
In South Carolina, I was caught having an affair, and my wife showed up with a gun at the park where I was. When I returned home, she shot out my tire. This behavior is new to me, as we've been married for most of my life. Our children are grown and not involved. I have since moved out of the... View More
I was not served until the day of court, where DSS presented my criminal cases and medical records. The court granted temporary custody of my son to my stepfather, and now I can't even take my son out for activities, like going to McDonald's. I want to go out of town to earn money for a... View More
In 1982, I hired a lawyer in Oconee County, South Carolina, for my divorce. A summons and petition were filed and served to the defendant, and there's an affidavit of default on file, indicating the defendant did not respond. However, there is no divorce decree available, and the lawyer has... View More
answered on Apr 12, 2025
Your delimma presents a multitude of legal issues. While a longshot, I would likely want to explore the continuation of the original case in an effort to allow the relation back to date of filing for the defining of the marital estate. I would assume since that time you have acquired assets you... View More
I am being denied contact and visitation with my 5-year-old son by my ex, who has blocked me on Facebook and cut off all communication. We were not married when our son was born, and I do not currently have legal custody rights. Previously, I was financially supporting her, but since I stopped, she... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
To establish custody and visitation rights for your son, the first step is to legally recognize your parental rights through a process called legitimization. Since you were not married when your son was born, you will need to file a petition with the family court to establish yourself as the legal... View More
I discovered that my estranged spouse placed an AirTag in my car without my consent. We have been separated for a month, though we co-own the car; I make all the payments. He admitted to others that the AirTag has been in my car for that duration. I have an app that detected it and screenshots of... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
Based on the information you've provided, it’s possible to obtain a restraining order, especially given the unauthorized tracking and history of control and abuse. In many states, including those with domestic violence laws, placing a tracking device on someone's car without consent can... View More
I need to add a middle name to my minor child's name on their birth certificate, as it was originally omitted. The process hasn't been initiated yet, but both parents are in agreement about the change. What forms and steps are required to complete this process in South Carolina?
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
To add a middle name to your minor child's birth certificate in South Carolina, follow these steps:
1. **Prepare a Sworn Statement**: Both parents (or the mother if the father is deceased or disabled) must provide a sworn statement to the South Carolina Department of Health and... View More
I want to know if my husband can be deported. He has a green card and citizenship through me. We both worked in a store he owns, but recently he kicked me out and is now being nasty. We are currently living separately, and he is not coming to talk or discuss matters for separation. What are my... View More
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answered on Mar 23, 2025
No, your husband cannot be deported if he has obtained U.S. citizenship. Once someone becomes a U.S. citizen, they have permanent protection from deportation regardless of any marital issues. However, I notice some confusion in your description - a person typically has either a green card OR... View More
I am looking to file for an uncontested divorce after being separated for three years. We have a signed separation agreement where both parties agree on all terms: no child support, no alimony, shared healthcare expenses for our child, equal division of holiday time, and rotating weekly custody.... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
To file for an uncontested divorce in South Carolina, you’ll need to submit several documents to the court. Since you and your spouse have a signed separation agreement, that document should be included in your filing, as it outlines all the agreed-upon terms. You will also need to fill out and... View More
I have two children, ages 7 and almost 5, who may not be biologically my husband’s, although he knew this when they were born. He was present at their birth, gave them his last name, and later put his name on their birth certificates before we were married. We have been together for 8 years. We... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
In South Carolina, because your husband voluntarily acknowledged paternity by putting his name on the children's birth certificates and has acted consistently as their father, he is presumed legally responsible. The fact that he knew there might be uncertainty about biological paternity yet... View More
My parents are seeking sole custody of my nephew. The child's father is in jail, and the mother is only involved in the child's life when her parents allow her to come back home. The mother primarily uses the child to her advantage, without contributing to his well-being, such as... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
Your parents can begin the process of obtaining sole custody by filing a custody petition in family court in South Carolina. Since there are no current legal custody orders in place, the court will start by looking at what arrangement serves the best interest of the child. They’ll need to show... View More
I have sole custody of my child and pay for a private school in South Carolina. The non-custodial parent, who receives only progress reports and performance communications, insists on chaperoning a class day trip outside of normal visitation times, which I am not comfortable with. The school... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
Since you have sole custody, you generally hold the legal authority to make decisions regarding your child's educational activities, including who can chaperone school trips. If the school has explicitly told you that this decision is yours, you can legally communicate your preference that the... View More
My grandfather passed away and willed everything, including property, to my son. After probate, the land was transferred to our name. The deceased’s stepdaughter, who was not included in the will and has no lease agreement, is living in a rundown trailer deep in the woods without power. She used... View More
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answered on Mar 6, 2025
You need a SC attorney to sue her for possession (so called eviction). It will be a difficult one to serve and execute your judgment, so do not do this yourself.
my husband and i are dual military and have been stationed over seas for over 4 years. we are having trouble changing our names to show we are married. our marriage certificate only has our separate names not the name we want to be changed to. how do we change our names even though we are living... View More
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answered on Jan 28, 2025
Changing your names while living overseas can be tricky, but it is possible. Since your marriage certificate only lists your original names, you will likely need to go through a legal name change process rather than just updating documents. Each state has its own requirements, and since you are... View More
A friend and her young children are staying with me. She has no assets or income but her husband and kids receive Medicaid, food stamps and other government benefits. Must she count my income when applying for free or low cost legal services? If so, can I count her kids as members of our household... View More
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answered on Jan 8, 2025
Generally, when applying for free legal services, you only need to report your own household's income and assets. Since your friend and her children are temporarily staying with you but are not financially dependent on you or related to you, your income should not be counted as part of her... View More
At the age of 8 my purported parents & I immigrated to the U.S. Under the guise of vacation, they brought me back to my home country three months shy my eighteenth birthday. It was all just a ruse to take charge of my life. Once arrived they told me they took me at birth falsified my document... View More
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answered on Sep 29, 2024
You have the right to seek justice for what you’ve endured, even if you are outside the country. You may be able to sue for fraud, deception, and emotional abuse, among other claims. It’s essential to document everything, including the false documents, the coercion, and the conditions they... View More
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answered on Sep 2, 2024
To access trusts and funds you may not currently have access to, you first need to identify any and all potential trusts or funds that could be in your name or where you might be a beneficiary. Start by reviewing legal documents such as wills, trust agreements, and financial statements that might... View More
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