Legal Separations in South Carolina
If a party cannot prove any of the five divorce grounds, he/she may still seek a legal separation, which is called a "Decree of Separate Maintenance" in South Carolina. In an action for separate maintenance, the Court can still address many issues on a permanent basis, such as asset/debt distribution, alimony and spousal support, child custody, child support, and visitation, etc. However, the key difference between a divorce and a legal separation is that the parties are still married, but their relationship with is legally and specifically defined.
