Co-Parenting App for South Carolina Parents

What South Carolina courts consider in custody decisions

South Carolina courts consider a detailed statutory list under § 63-15-240 including the temperament and developmental needs of the child, each parent's capacity to meet the child's needs, the child's preferences, the child's relationship with each parent and siblings, each parent's actions to encourage the continuing parent-child relationship, any manipulation or coercive behavior by a parent to involve the child in the parents' dispute, any effort by one parent to disparage the other in front of the child, whether a parent has relocated more than 100 miles in the past year, and whether the child or a sibling has been abused or neglected.

How the custody process works in South Carolina

South Carolina custody cases are heard exclusively in Family Court, which has jurisdiction over all domestic matters. There are no jury trials for custody — a Family Court judge hears all evidence and makes the ruling. Parents are generally required to attend mediation through a court-approved mediator before a contested hearing. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem to investigate and represent the child's best interests, and the GAL's report carries significant weight.

Key South Carolina custody statutes

• S.C. Code § 63-15-240
• S.C. Code § 63-15-230
• S.C. Code § 63-3-530