Charleston Child Support Attorney

Legal Guidance When Child Support Feels Overwhelming

If you are worried about child support, you are not alone. Whether you are going through a divorce, separating from a co-parent, or trying to adjust an old order, the financial and emotional pressure can feel intense. You may be unsure what a fair amount looks like or how South Carolina law applies to your family.

At TMW Law, we help parents whose child support cases are handled in South Carolina family courts, including matters in Charleston County Family Court. Our family law team works with mothers and fathers who want to support their children and also protect their own financial stability. We understand that you are looking for clear answers, not legal jargon.

Our attorneys bring more than 40 years of combined experience to each case, and we are former prosecutors who now focus on standing beside individuals and families. That background gives us a practical perspective on how judges view evidence and financial details. If you are facing a child support decision and need direction, we are ready to talk with you about your options.

To speak with our experienced Charleston child support lawyers, call us at (843) 891-6100 or contact us online today. 

Understanding Child Support In South Carolina

It can be difficult to talk about money with a former partner, especially when emotions are high. Knowing the basics of how South Carolina handles child support can make these conversations and decisions easier. The state uses child support guidelines that provide a framework for calculating support, but the court looks at more than a single number.

In a typical case, the court considers both parents’ incomes, the number of children, health insurance costs for the children, work related childcare expenses, and the parenting schedule. The guidelines give a starting point based on these figures. Judges can also look at special circumstances, such as unusual medical expenses or travel costs related to parenting time, and may adjust from the guideline amount when the facts support it.

If your case is heard in Charleston County Family Court, the judge will still follow the South Carolina guidelines. The process can feel formal, but the underlying question is practical. The court is trying to reach an amount that is appropriate for the child given the parents’ resources. You do not need to memorize the formula, and you do not have to guess what matters most, because we work with you to gather the right information and understand how the guidelines apply to your situation.

For some parents, the main concern is that support will be too low to cover basic needs. For others, especially after a job change or reduction in hours, the fear is that payments will be more than they can realistically manage. We listen carefully to these concerns and then help you see how your specific income, expenses, and parenting time might fit within the framework South Carolina uses.

Common Child Support Issues We Handle

No two families look exactly alike, but many parents face similar turning points when it comes to child support. Seeing your own situation reflected in these examples can reassure you that what you are going through is something we have helped others address. Our family law team regularly assists parents whose cases are tied to courts serving Charleston and nearby communities.

Some parents need to establish child support for the first time as part of a divorce or separation. Others have never had a formal order and now need one because life circumstances have changed. There are also parents who come to us with an existing order that no longer reflects reality. Job losses, promotions, new work schedules, and changes in the parenting plan can all make an old order feel unfair or unmanageable.

We also see situations where one parent is not paying as ordered. This can create a serious strain on the household that is expecting those funds for rent, food, childcare, and school costs. In some cases, parents are worried about contempt, wage withholding, or other enforcement actions if they fall behind. When child support issues overlap with other legal matters, such as a related criminal charge or a serious injury that affects a parent’s ability to work, our broader practice areas help us understand the full picture.

Examples of child support matters we handle include:

• Establishing child support in connection with a divorce or custody case.
• Setting support after a paternity action or when a child lives primarily with one parent.
• Seeking modification after a significant change in income, work hours, or parenting time.
• Addressing unpaid child support and pursuing enforcement through the court system.
• Reviewing proposed agreements to help parents avoid informal deals that are hard to enforce.

In each of these situations, our role is to help you understand what the court is likely to focus on and what options you may have. We talk through both the legal and practical sides, such as how different support amounts might affect your budget and how changes to the parenting schedule could influence the calculation.

Steps To Take About Child Support Now

Parents often contact us after months of worry, and many say they wish they had reached out earlier. You do not need to have every document gathered or every question answered before you talk with a child support lawyer Charleston trusts. There are, however, some simple steps you can take now that will help you feel more prepared.

Practical steps you can start today include:

• Collect recent pay stubs, tax returns, and any proof of other income for you and, if possible, for the other parent.
• List your regular monthly expenses, including rent or mortgage, utilities, food, childcare, health insurance, and transportation.
• Write down your current parenting schedule, including overnights and any adjustments that occur during holidays or school breaks.
• Keep records of any informal payments or support, such as transfers, checks, or messages related to money for the child.
• Note any major changes since the last order, such as job loss, new employment, medical issues, or relocation.

You do not have to figure out what all of this means on your own. Bringing this information to a consultation allows us to give more focused guidance about your situation. Whether your case is just beginning or has been ongoing for years, we can talk through what South Carolina law allows and what realistic outcomes may look like in your circumstances.

If you are ready to discuss your options, our family law team is here to listen and help you plan next steps. We work with parents whose cases are heard in courts that serve Charleston and nearby communities. Taking the first step can feel difficult, but you do not have to navigate child support questions alone.

Why Parents Choose Our Family Law Team

Parents who contact us are often feeling rushed to make decisions, but they also know that child support orders can last for years. They want an advocate who will look closely at their situation, explain the law, and help them prepare for court if needed. We structure our representation around those needs.

Our former prosecutor experience helps us evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a case from multiple angles. We are used to reviewing pay records, tax returns, and other financial documents, and we understand how those records might be viewed by a judge in a South Carolina family court that serves the Charleston region. This perspective helps us present a clear and organized picture of your income, expenses, and parenting time.

Because we are a boutique firm, your case is not passed through layers of staff. Our attorneys work directly with you, answer your questions, and tailor strategy to your goals. We take the time to understand how child support affects your daily life, including housing, childcare, and your child’s activities. Our goal is to make sure you are heard and that the court has accurate information about your circumstances.

We also recognize that child support is only one part of a larger family story. Many parents are dealing with custody, visitation, or related legal issues at the same time. When you work with us, we look at the full context so that your approach to child support, parenting schedules, and other family law concerns fits together in a practical way.

To speak with our experienced Charleston child support lawyers, call us at (843) 891-6100 or contact us online today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How is child support calculated in South Carolina?

South Carolina uses child support guidelines that look at both parents’ incomes, the number of children, health insurance, childcare costs, and parenting time. The court can also consider special circumstances. We review your information with you so you understand how the guidelines may apply in your case.

Can I change my current child support order?

Many parents can seek a modification when there is a substantial change in circumstances, such as a job loss, significant raise, or new parenting schedule. The court generally looks at whether the change is material and ongoing. We can review your situation and discuss whether a modification request makes sense.

What if the other parent is not paying support?

If a parent is not paying as ordered, you may ask the family court to enforce the order. Options can include wage withholding and other remedies the court finds appropriate. We help parents understand which enforcement tools may apply and what evidence is useful to bring forward.

How will your team communicate with me about my case?

We work to keep you informed at each stage of your case. Our attorneys and staff aim to respond to calls and messages promptly and to explain what filings, hearings, or offers mean in practical terms. You will know who to contact with questions and what to expect next.

Do I need to live in Charleston for you to help?

Our office is in Summerville, and we assist parents whose child support matters are heard in courts that serve Charleston and surrounding communities. If you are unsure whether your case falls within the areas we handle, we can discuss that with you during an initial consultation.

To speak with our experienced Charleston child support lawyers, call us at (843) 891-6100 or contact us online today.