South Carolina Divorce with Children
Everything you need to know about divorce with children in South Carolina — custody types, child support guidelines, parenting plans, and protecting your children through the process. Updated for 2026.
Types of Custody in South Carolina
Legal Custody
The right to make major decisions about your child's education, healthcare, religion, and welfare.
Physical Custody
Determines where the child lives on a day-to-day basis and the parenting time schedule.
"Best Interests of the Child" Factors
South Carolina courts consider multiple factors when determining custody arrangements:
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Child Support in South Carolina
South Carolina uses the Income Shares Model as established in the South Carolina Child Support Guidelines. The model calculates support based on both parents' combined adjusted gross income and the number of children, using national data on childrearing expenditures adjusted to South Carolina cost of living levels. Each parent's share is proportional to their percentage of combined adjusted gross income. Allowable deductions include alimony paid to the other parent or a previous spouse, and child support paid for children from previous relationships. The guidelines use gross rather than net income to minimize disputes over deductions.
Official South Carolina child support calculator →Factors Considered
Additional Forms Required (Children)
| Form | Name |
|---|---|
| Parenting Plan / Custody Agreement | Parenting Plan |
Mandatory Parenting Course
South Carolina requires both parents to complete a parenting education course when filing for divorce with minor children.
South Carolina law requires divorcing parents with minor children to attend a court-approved parenting course before finalizing custody arrangements. The course covers the impact of divorce on children, effective co-parenting strategies, and conflict resolution. At the judge's discretion, additional parenting classes may also be ordered.
Typical cost: $50
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Divorce.ai helps you create a child-focused parenting plan and prepares all custody-related South Carolina forms.
What Goes in a Parenting Plan?
A comprehensive parenting plan should cover:
Regular Parenting Schedule
Week-by-week schedule of where the child lives and when transitions occur.
Holiday & Vacation Schedule
How holidays, school breaks, and vacation time are divided between parents.
Decision-Making Authority
Who makes decisions about education, healthcare, extracurriculars, and religious upbringing.
Communication Rules
How the child communicates with the non-custodial parent (phone, video calls, etc.).
Transportation & Exchange
Who handles pickups/dropoffs and where exchanges occur.
Dispute Resolution
How disagreements about the parenting plan will be resolved (mediation first, then court).
Relocation Rules
Notice requirements and procedure if either parent wants to move.
Tips for Protecting Your Children During Divorce
Never speak negatively about the other parent in front of your children. It puts them in the middle and can harm your custody case.
Maintain routines. Keep school, activities, and daily routines as consistent as possible during the transition.
Communicate openly with your children in age-appropriate ways. Let them know the divorce is not their fault.
Consider counseling. A child therapist can help children process their emotions during this time.