An updated edition to the authoritative legal sourcebook for beginning and ending a marriage. The updated edition of "Marriage and Divorce Law in South Carolina: A Layperson's Guide" provides in concise language a detailed and authoritative resource on current laws governing everything from marriage eligibility to the divorce process. Designed to serve as a complement to professional legal services, this sourcebook presents complex information in a straightforward, understandable format, addressing a broad range of frequent questions for legal clients. Roy T. Stuckey, a leading authority on South Carolina marriage and divorce law, considers marital law issues such as the requirements for establishing a statutory or common law marriage and the legal significance of marriage. He addresses the responsibility of a married couple to their children in the eyes of the law, including the children's care, education, and welfare. On matters of divorce, the volume not only reviews practical issues of separation, property division, alimony, and child support, but covers the psychological stages of divorce as well.
Much of the legal mystery about the divorce process is also unraveled, including how to find, hire, and work with a divorce lawyer and how to maneuver successfully through family court. Stuckey explains options for resolving problems during divorce litigation or after a divorce is final, including the enforcement or modification of court orders. A section on related issues that frequently arise when a marriage ends is also included. While "Marriage and Divorce Law in South Carolina" is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice and other professional services, it serves as a valuable resource for learning about the legal processes involved in the state's family laws and is the only such volume available to non-lawyers.