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South Carolina Family Law Blog Information and Insight On Family Law Issues In South Carolina

Pro Bono Resources from the South Carolina Bar

By J. Benjamin Stevens on Posted in Attorney-Client Relationship, Other Resources

What does Pro Bono mean?
Many South Carolina lawyers offer their services for free (pro bono) to clients who cannot afford to pay for help with civil legal matters. These matters include family, housing, bankruptcy or probate matters.

How do I qualify for pro bono assistance?
You must meet federally established poverty guidelines. To find out if you qualify, contact the Legal Aid Telephone Intake Service (LATIS) at (888) 346-5592. If you qualify, the South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Program will refer you to a lawyer. The Bar’s Pro Bono Program is funded primarily through the South Carolina Bar Foundation and private Lawyers.

How long will it take the Pro Bono Program to find a lawyer?
This depends on the number of volunteer lawyers available in the county where the case will be heard and what the cases involves. It may take up to four weeks to find the right volunteer lawyer to take your case.

What if I am served with legal papers?
The Pro Bono Program is rarely able to accommodate emergency requests for a lawyer. However, if you are served with legal papers after the Pro Bono Program has received or completed your intake but before you have been referred to a lawyer, call the Pro Bono office immediately. If you are served with papers after a lawyer has taken your case, call the lawyer’s office immediately.

How do I know when a lawyer has taken my case?
You will receive a letter from the Pro Bono office that gives you the lawyer’s name and telephone number. You should call your lawyer during regular business hours as soon as you receive the letter.

How much will it cost?
The volunteer lawyer will not charge a fee. However, you may be responsible for any related costs, such as filing and service charges. The opposing lawyer may ask for lawyer’s fees from you, but it will be up to the judge to decide if you should pay.

What if my income increases?
If your income increases after your first interview with Legal Services or the Pro Bono Program, contact the Pro Bono office. If your income increases after your case has been referred to a lawyer, contact the lawyer.

What should I take to the interview with my lawyer?
You should take any legal papers that have been served and any other documents related to your case. It is your responsibility to provide this information to your lawyer.

What if I decide to drop my case?
If you decide to drop your case, call your lawyer. Your lawyer will contact the Pro Bono office. If you simply fail to show up for an appointment or court hearing, your case will be closed by your lawyer immediately.

What if I cannot keep an appointment with my lawyer?
You must call and cancel any appointment you cannot keep as far in advance as possible. If you fail to call, your lawyer may close your case.

What if I move or change my phone number?
If your address or phone number changes, call the Pro Bono office with the new information. Be sure to let your lawyer know also.

What if I don’t have a car?
You are responsible for arranging transportation to the attorney’s office and to the court.

Source:  "Pro Bono Resources" from the South Carolina Bar.

  • Bruce Turner

    My son was told that in order to qulaify for a pro-bono attorney there must be abuse, and proof of it or adultery, and proof of it. He has not worked in about 6 months and there is no income at all. There is no proof of abuse, even though there has been physical abuse. He wants to re-enlist in the Army but does not want the soon to be ex-wife to have any access to any sign on bonus’. What can he do?
    Thanks

  • Summer

    My grandma needs a lawyer, she has dementia. She has two living sons that neglected her, one of who is my father. I have been her caregiver since May of this year. I need help trying to sort out her business and getting my farher out of her home, can you help? I am in south carolina.

  • carolyn jeter

    I have protective custody of my neice, who is three years old. I have taken care of her and her mother since she was three months old. She was taken out of her mother’s custody due to drugs given to her by her mother’s boyfriend. It is time for her mother’s revue from DSS. I feel that her mother is iresponsible. She does not work,is not looking for work. She hs no permeant home. She is staying with her mother. They don’t get along well due to the fact that her mother was a drug addict, and left her. All I want is for my neice to be taken care of, financially, and physically.

  • barry

    I do not qualify for legal aid as I make too much in gross earnings but after I pay the court ordered child support, (as my soon to be ex would not negotiate with me,) I live off of just over 900.00 a month. That would place me in the poverty level. I still do not qualify for legal aid. I have been separated for almost 2 years, do not have a separation agreement or a divorce. I decided to try to do it pro-se. The other half is dragging her feet and finds a reason to hold things up. I just want it to end but I may have to get a lawyer. I cannot get ahead as I have no money for a lawyer. Anyone have any ideas?

  • Joe

    If you are a man, are being falsely accused of abuse, and have no money, expect to get reamed. The courts are run by high power attorney’s and the one who can afford the big high power ones win in family court.
    Family court from my experience in York County, SC has nothing to do with truth or mediating a positive outcome. It is all about spending money to fight which will hurt the child and empty your bank accounts.

  • annie

    I went to court for final divorce hearing,I served the paper at 9:20am for the hearing,actruly the hearing was 9:00am,when i got there they were finished and i tryed to explain to juge for this metter,it was not my falt to get late,also my ex filed for reduce the child support with juge hand which i never served,it was another mistaked,i’m glad the juge let me go inside for explain ,my ex will refile for reduce of child support,dose anyone knows do i need to find a lawyer for this case,i don’t have job,how can find PROBONO lawyer in greenville SC. THANKS ALOT!

  • daniela pitcher

    My husband Left the state of South Carolina with my daughter a month ago and he will not bring her back or let me see her. I go to school during the day and i just lost my job. can anybody tell me how i can find a PROBONO lawyer to help me please. I miss and love my daughter. thank you

  • Troyce Lee

    I am looking for help for my aunt. She needs help as quickly as she can get it. Her husband abandoned her, with her daughter, and is staying with his girlfriend. He is trying to throw her out and she has no where to go, no money, and just had surgery so she is unable to work. I need to speak to someone about this as soon as possible befor she is out on the streets. I want to help her but, am in a situation where it is not possible for her to move in with me.

  • susan wylie

    Hello. My name is Susan. I have been involved in a child custody case since 2003. I currently do NOT have custody of my children, but would like to start pursuing at least joint custody. My parents have afforded a very costly attorney(s) and GAL bills in the past. Now retired, they are unable to help me. I am a student and currently unemployed. Could you please advise me on what my options may be. The case has been in Spartanburg. My children have resided in Georgetown County for 4 yrs.

  • Samantha

    I had a DSS case where I lost custody of my two children, got custody of one of them back, because I completed everything needed. Im a fit mother with a small job and I’m almost finished with school. I’d like to get custody back of my daughter who is in her grandmother’s custody now. I just cant afford a lawyer. What can I do?

  • Shawn Collins

    I’m in a situation trying to get the amount of support ordered to me reduced to something I might actually be able to pay. Because it’s an interstate case, all the involved states are pointing to the other states and swearing it’s up to them. I actually have letters from each state saying it’s the responsibility of the other states. I also have not seen my children in ten years. their mother took them and moved away and has refused to abide by the visitation in place. Nobody cares to enforce this, just the child support I can’t pay. It’s roughly 300% of my income at the moment.

  • Demitri Davis

    I got married in Louisiana, but now lives in S.C. My husband is in jail in Louisiana. I moved here a while after my husband abandon me and my daughter while on his crack binge. I have been trying to find help for a long time to divorce him, but to no avail. We have been living seperate for about five years. I want to divorce him,but I want to do it quick. I don’t want him to be entitled to any moneys that I might receive from my job,etc.

  • Jewell Prosser

    My husband waked out on me almost 3 weeks ago. He left me broke, no food in the house and a pile of bills I can’t pay. I also have a lot of medical problems. I can’t afford an attorney so how can I get him to pay spousal support and help with the bills?

  • wendy doby

    My soon to be ex left almost 2 yrs ago…after trying to find a lawyer I can afford I called Legal Aide (Equal Justice) and they told me unless I was abused they couldn’t help me. The house and land we bought is now under for-closer and he is just looking for things to complain about. I’m not working, I’m disabled from the military, and I need help. I keep calling the number and all I get is a busy signal. He has made it so distacefull to be here and I just want this to be over so I can move on without him lurking around.

  • Wayne Brightman

    My son, who has lived in Greer SC for almost a year, recently had his wife abandon him and his 2 year old. She fled back to NC where she is originally from. Trying to be fair to her parents, he allowed the child to visit overnight with her parents in NC. Upon knowing this, she went to her parents house with police and demanded the child saying no one would ever see the child again. The police were bound by law to let her leave with the child. No one knows were she is. My son has not worked in 6 mo. What can he do?

  • Barbara Scott

    My husband has been saying that he is at work when he is not. Keeping all the money to him self. I have no way of knowing how much money in the bank . He would not show me his hour that he has worked .I had a brain tumor about six years ago and it was removed and now he won’t pay the doctor so I can continue to get medical care . He drink all the time .He will go in the bath room and call other women to meet them . I know he has a paper trail . Phone calls ,bank statement,and time he worked .But he made sure these things stay hidden from me . He work for a big company and make good money.

  • Regina Davenport

    Please HELP,
    I am in need of a family attorney that will help me regain custody of my children from my past abuser. He is violating multiple orders, has with held the children from from me when i took action. He has eliminated all influence on my part in my childrens life. I have paid money to my past attorney but I have come to an end that i will loose my home. I have had to to make a hard decision on possibly not continuing to fight due to financial reasons only. I have been told from Sisters Care that my case is a prime example of something called Maternal Deprivation. My ex has been allowed to push me to the point where I am considering giving up, bc im scared of what he will punish me and the children with next. Please help me..I am in Columbia Sc

  • sammy wilson

    i have been going through a custody case for approx a year. Recently we came to 3rd party agreement inwhich she violated so i asked for a cont. If i don’t retain a attorney the next court hearing i will b in contempt. The reason for the cont was because the orginal judge was not there and there was a new judge going against the agreement. I need someone to get in contact with me to discuss this matter. I love my children and will do anything for them and thats why i am in the situation i am in now because i won’t throw in the towel.

  • Yolanda

    I would like to modify my current custody arrangement and I cannot afford a lawyer. Does LegalAid help in child custody if there is no abuse? My soon-to-be ex-husband lives in Virginia. My daughter is currently living here in SC with me and is due to return to VA this summer. She has said that she wants to stay next year which I think is great because I feel like her going back and forth each year will be detrimental to her socially, emotionally, and academically. Can I get pro bono representation to handle the custody??

  • sandra white

    I am a mother of four who has very limited. Income. I just got served papers for devorce and custody for this comming week. I have never had do have a lawyer and no clue what I am doing I need help please