Child Custody & Visitation Attorneys in Summerville, SC
Protecting What Matters Most: Your Children and Your Future
Few legal matters are more personal than decisions involving your children. Whether you are navigating custody during a divorce, establishing a parenting schedule, or seeking changes to an existing custody order, the process can feel overwhelming.
At the Law Office of Carolyn M. Bone, LLC, we help parents throughout Summerville, Charleston, and the surrounding Lowcountry navigate child custody and visitation matters with compassion, clarity, and practical legal guidance.
We understand that every family is different. Our goal is to help you protect your relationship with your children while working toward arrangements that support their well-being and provide stability for the future.
This page is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Contacting our office does not establish an attorney-client relationship.
Understanding Child Custody in South Carolina
South Carolina Family Courts make custody decisions based on the best interests of the child. There is no automatic preference for either parent based solely on whether that parent is the mother or father.
Custody arrangements address two important questions: who makes major decisions affecting the child's life, and how parenting time is divided between the parents.
Joint Custody
Joint custody generally means both parents share responsibility for major decisions concerning their children, including education, healthcare, and other important matters. Joint custody does not necessarily mean equal parenting time.
Sole Custody
Sole custody generally gives one parent primary decision-making authority, subject to the terms of the court order. The other parent may still have substantial parenting time and involvement in the child's life.
Parenting Time and Visitation
Parenting time determines when children spend time with each parent. Schedules may include regular weekdays, alternating weekends, holidays, school breaks, summer vacations, and other arrangements tailored to the family's circumstances.
Our attorneys help clients understand the available custody arrangements and develop realistic solutions that reflect their children's needs.
How Do South Carolina Courts Determine Child Custody?
When parents cannot agree on custody, the Family Court considers a variety of factors to determine what arrangement serves the child's best interests.
These factors may include:
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Each parent's ability to meet the child's physical, emotional, and developmental needs
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The child's relationship with each parent and other important family members
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Each parent's past and current involvement in the child's life
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The stability of each parent's home environment
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The child's adjustment to home, school, and community
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Each parent's willingness to support an appropriate relationship with the other parent
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The child's reasonable preferences, depending on age and maturity
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Any history of domestic violence, abuse, or neglect
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Other circumstances relevant to the child's safety and well-being
Every custody case is unique. Rather than relying on assumptions about what a court might decide, our attorneys help parents evaluate the specific facts of their situation and develop a thoughtful legal strategy.
Creating Parenting Plans That Work for Your Family
A well-designed parenting plan can provide structure, reduce misunderstandings, and help parents navigate the practical challenges of raising children in separate households.
Parenting plans may address:
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Regular parenting schedules and exchanges
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Holidays, birthdays, and school vacations
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Summer parenting time
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Transportation responsibilities
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Communication between parents
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Telephone and video contact with children
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Decision-making for education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities
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Procedures for resolving future disagreements
We work with clients to develop clear, practical parenting plans that consider the needs of their children, work schedules, school commitments, and family circumstances.
A successful parenting plan should do more than resolve today's disagreement. It should provide a workable foundation for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Custody in South Carolina
Does South Carolina favor mothers over fathers in custody cases?
No. South Carolina law does not establish a preference for either parent based solely on gender. Custody decisions are based on the child's best interests.
Is 50/50 custody required in South Carolina?
No. South Carolina does not automatically require equal parenting time. Courts consider the circumstances of each family when determining an appropriate custody and parenting arrangement.
Can my child choose which parent to live with?
A child's reasonable preference may be considered, with weight given to the child's age, maturity, judgment, and ability to express a preference. However, the child does not have the sole authority to decide custody.
Can a custody order be changed?
Yes. Custody orders may be modified when the legal requirements for modification are satisfied, generally including a substantial change in circumstances affecting the child's best interests.
What happens if one parent refuses to follow the visitation schedule?
A court-ordered parenting schedule is enforceable. Depending on the circumstances, a parent may seek relief through the Family Court. It is important to obtain legal advice before taking action that could violate an existing order.
Do parents have to attend mediation for custody disputes?
Mediation is commonly required in contested South Carolina Family Court cases, subject to applicable exceptions and court rules. Mediation can provide an opportunity for parents to resolve disagreements without a contested trial.
Modifying Child Custody and Visitation Orders
Families change, and parenting arrangements that once worked may no longer meet a child's needs.
A parent may seek modification of an existing custody or visitation order when circumstances have materially changed and a different arrangement would serve the child's best interests.
Common reasons for requesting a modification may include:
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Significant changes in a parent's work schedule
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Relocation of a parent
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Changes in a child's educational or developmental needs
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Ongoing difficulties with an existing parenting arrangement
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Concerns about a child's safety or well-being
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Other substantial changes affecting the family
Our attorneys help parents evaluate whether modification may be appropriate and guide them through the legal process.
Custody and Visitation for Unmarried Parents
Child custody disputes are not limited to divorce proceedings.
Unmarried parents may also need court orders establishing custody, parenting time, and parental responsibilities. Depending on the circumstances, establishing legal paternity may be an important part of the process.
We assist unmarried parents in understanding their rights and responsibilities and pursuing appropriate custody and visitation arrangements.
Resolving Child Custody Disputes
Not every custody disagreement needs to become a prolonged courtroom battle.
When appropriate, negotiation and mediation can help parents develop parenting arrangements that reflect their family's needs while reducing conflict and expense.
However, some cases require court intervention, particularly when parents disagree about important issues or when concerns about a child's safety or well-being are present.
Our attorneys assist with both negotiated custody agreements and contested custody litigation. We focus on practical solutions while providing strong advocacy when court involvement is necessary.
Compassionate, Practical Child Custody Representation
At the Law Office of Carolyn M. Bone, LLC, we understand that custody matters involve more than legal rights. They involve your children's daily lives, your relationship with them, and your family's future.
Our approach combines individualized legal advice with practical problem-solving. We work to reduce unnecessary conflict when possible while advocating for our clients' interests and their children's well-being.
Whether you are establishing custody for the first time, negotiating a parenting plan, or addressing a dispute over an existing order, we are here to help you understand your options.