Electronic communications can get a lot of people in trouble. Mindlessly sending messages via text, email, or social networking sites without thinking has come back to haunt many people – increasingly, many people going through the process of divorce. The very strengths of these modes of communication (speed, convenience, and accessibility) are also what makes… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Research & Investigation
Subscribe to Research & Investigation RSS FeedTips For How To Handle A Custody Evaluation
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Guardian ad Litem, Psychological Issues, Relationships, Research & Investigation, VisitationLast week we discussed what happens when a custody evaluation is ordered in a Family Court case. In contested cases where parents cannot agree about custody and/or visitation issues, judges may require that a psychologist sit down with everyone involved and determine what arrangement would serve the child’s best interest. The following tips can help… Continue Reading
What’s the Difference Between a Custody Evaluator and a Guardian Ad Litem?
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Guardian ad Litem, Psychological Issues, Research & InvestigationIn South Carolina, when a Family Court Judges want to assess the best interests of children in a divorce, they often appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL). When there are more serious issues of psychological condition and the well being of a child is in doubt, a custody evaluator may be brought into the case…. Continue Reading
South Carolina Man in Hot Water for Forging Divorce Documents
Posted in Divorce, Marriage, Research & InvestigationJust last weekend agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division filed charges against a 45-year-old man from Summerville who allegedly forged important legal documents. Just what were these legal papers? Divorce papers. The man, Edward Brown, sent the divorce papers to his girlfriend to try and convince her that he was divorced and that… Continue Reading
Facebook Post Leads to Deadbeat Dad’s Arrest for Failure to Pay Child Support
Posted in Child Support, Contempt of Court, Financial Issues, Research & Investigation, TechnologyAs previously discussed, people say and do stupid things on Facebook. More importantly, experienced attorneys are finding and using evidence obtained through Facebook posts more frequently, particularly in family law cases. Using a person’s own words (or photos) against them can be particularly damaging, especially when it harms their credibility by exposing their lies. For… Continue Reading
Tips to Help Prepare for a Child Custody Case
Posted in Child Custody, Research & InvestigationChild custody cases are complicated under the best of circumstances. The more you can do to improve your chances of a successful outcome, the better. Remember, there’s no “reset” switch on a child custody investigation, so it’s vital that you know what to do before the process begins. The following tips can help put you in the… Continue Reading
Maintaining Credibility in the Discovery Process
Posted in Attorney-Client Relationship, Discovery, Procedure, Research & InvestigationDiscovery in Family Court is both loved and hated by attorneys and litigants alike. We love it when the discovery we have requested and received leads to information that is helpful to our case. However, we hate the process of gathering information and documents in order to respond to other side’s requests for things we… Continue Reading
Important Steps To Take If You’re Preparing For A Divorce
Posted in Attorney-Client Relationship, Divorce, Financial Issues, Practice Tips, Procedure, Research & Investigation, Separation, Tax IssuesThe process of deciding whether to seek a divorce can be a long and difficult one. There are many emotional and financial calculations that go into making this decision, and many couples wrestle with the issue for a considerable amount of time before feeling confident with their conclusion. Taking the necessary time to know that your… Continue Reading
Impact of Divorce On Your Child’s Religion
Posted in Children, Divorce, Research & InvestigationA recent study out of Baylor University revealed that children whose parents went through a divorce and who were actively religious were more likely to change religion or shy away from it altogether as adults. More specifically, the study says that children raised in single-parent households following a divorce are more likely to change or… Continue Reading
How Do I Value My Home During A Divorce?
Posted in Assets and Debts, Financial Issues, Procedure, Research & InvestigationSomething that might seem easy but can prove to be quite daunting in some cases is valuing a couple’s marital residence during a divorce in South Carolina. Many people might assume that they can simply agree on a figure and go on about their business. However, that’s seldom the case, as the value often affects… Continue Reading
What to Look for to Catch Snooping Spouses
Posted in Research & Investigation, TechnologyA burgeoning spy tech industry has had an unintended consequence: a boom in prying spouses during divorce cases. Soon-to-be exes across South Carolina and the country are increasingly conducting surveillance against one another. A common worry among many facing a contentious divorces in Spartanburg and elsewhere is what information an ex might be able to… Continue Reading
Marriage and Sex: Tactics to Help Catch Cheating Spouses
Posted in Divorce, Research & Investigation, SeparationThe following Guest Post is from Alyssa Clarke: There is nothing more painful than suspecting that your spouse is cheating you. Being uncertain as to whether your spouse is being faithful or not can drive almost anyone mad. The worry that follows may leave you awake at night wondering that you’ve done wrong by ignoring the… Continue Reading
The Importance of Documenting Alimony Payments
Posted in Alimony, Contempt of Court, Financial Issues, Research & Investigation, Tax IssuesAlimony, also known as spousal support, includes payments made by one spouse to the other for that spouse’s support following a divorce. Courts in South Carolina are not required to grant alimony in every case, they instead have the discretion to grant it under certain circumstances (which are discussed here). Alimony payments are typically tax-deductible… Continue Reading
Study Reveals Surprising Number of Spouses Admit to Hiding Money
Posted in Assets and Debts, Discovery, Financial Issues, Research & InvestigationAs anyone going through divorce knows, it’s crucial that you lay all your cards on the table. You have an obligation to be open and honest with your spouse, especially when it comes to financial assets and liabilities. Only with a clear picture of a couple’s financial life can a divorce be fair and equitable…. Continue Reading
What If Your Spouse Has All of Your Financial Information?
Posted in Assets and Debts, Discovery, Financial Issues, Research & Investigation, Separation, Tax IssuesIt is not uncommon in marriages for one spouse to maintain access to most of the financial information. In some relationships this is because one spouse wants to control the other spouse, but in most relationships, it is simply the most convenient way to run the household. With the advent of online payments for everything… Continue Reading
How a Vocational Expert Might Help Your South Carolina Divorce
Posted in Alimony, Discovery, Divorce, Financial Issues, Practice Tips, Research & Investigation, Separation, Trial of CasesIf you’re starting the process of divorce in South Carolina, you likely are beginning to realize just how much of the process revolves around money. How much is there, how much will there be in the future, whose is it, who needs it and finally, who gets what? One of the questions that many couples… Continue Reading
The Importance of Discovery in a South Carolina Divorce
Posted in Assets and Debts, Attorney-Client Relationship, Contempt of Court, Discovery, Divorce, Financial Issues, Procedure, Research & Investigation, SeparationMany couples facing a divorce wonder why the time and expense associated with discovery is necessary. They simply figure that they know what the other spouse’s assets are, because after all, they watched them buy the items in the first place. They mistakenly think they understand the value of all the retirement and bank accounts… Continue Reading
Spying During Divorce Becoming Big Business
Posted in Discovery, Divorce, Research & Investigation, TechnologyThe Wall Street Journal recently wrote a lengthy article discussing a recent boom in business related to spying on spouses prior to and during a divorce. A combination of suspicious husbands and wives along with increasingly affordable high-tech gadgets have made it much easier for ordinary people to spy on their significant others. It used… Continue Reading
Norwegian Study Shows Correlation Between Shared Housework and Higher Divorce Rates
Posted in Communication, Dispute Resolution, Divorce, Marriage, Psychological Issues, Relationships, Research & InvestigationA recent study out of Norway revealed that divorce rates are higher among couples who equally share the housework than in those where the woman does the bulk of the chores. The bizarre findings indicate that the divorce rate among couples who shared housework equally was around 50% higher than among those where the woman… Continue Reading
Police Use Facebook To Track Down Delinquent Dad
Posted in Child Support, Contempt of Court, D.S.S. Issues, Financial Issues, Jurisdiction, Research & Investigation, TechnologyWe have previously written about the dangers associated with Facebook when it comes to divorce, but we’ve never talked about the impact Facebook can have on child support arrangements. It’s common knowledge that South Carolina Family Court and law enforcement agencies are aiming to ensure that parents who owe court-ordered child support fulfill their financial… Continue Reading
What to Watch For When It Comes to Spouses Hiding Assets
Posted in Assets and Debts, Attorney-Client Relationship, Discovery, Divorce, Financial Issues, Practice Tips, Research & Investigation, Separation, Tax IssuesEveryone knows that hiding assets during a divorce is sneaky, unethical and illegal. Sadly, it happens much more frequently than most people, often women, suspect. Many families have complex financial portfolios, which can include a home, rental properties, bank and stock accounts, retirement or pension plans, stock options, life insurance, and many other things. Given… Continue Reading
How Forensic Accountants Can Help in Divorce Proceedings
Posted in Divorce, Financial Issues, Research & Investigation, Separation, Tax Issues, Trial of CasesDivorce is never easy. Having a skilled team of attorneys and support professionals involved, however, may make the process move more efficiently toward a resolution. For the parties in the divorce, as well as for the attorneys who represent them, a professional collaboration with a forensic accountant can be an excellent investment. There are numerous… Continue Reading
Drug Testing and Nasty Child Custody Disputes in South Carolina
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Jurisdiction, Medical Issues, Procedure, Psychological Issues, Research & InvestigationRecently, a family law expert, Henry Gornbein, wrote an editorial for the Huffington Post dealing with the effect of medical marijuana laws on custody disputes. The article concluded with a discussion about how even in states where medical marijuana is legal, a spouse possessing a valid medical marijuana card should still refrain from partaking while… Continue Reading
Five “Do Not’s” for Those Going Through Divorce
Posted in Assets and Debts, Communication, Divorce, Financial Issues, Practice Tips, Psychological Issues, Relationships, Research & Investigation, Separation, TechnologyThe Huffington Post recently published a list of five tips for men going through a divorce. However, a quick look reveals that the tips are applicable to any parent embroiled in the difficult process. In addition to the tips listed below, it is recommended that you consult with an experienced South Carolina family law attorney… Continue Reading