Insights from Our Attorneys

Guides to the legal questions South Carolina families and businesses ask — reviewed by the attorneys who handle them every week.

Family Law · Featured

Do you need a lawyer for a separation agreement in SC?

South Carolina plays by different rules — the state doesn't even recognize “legal separation.” Here's how separation agreements actually work here, where people get burned, and when it's safe to go without counsel.

Reviewed by Robin R. McLean · July 2, 2026 · 13 min read
July 2, 2026Family LawDo you need a lawyer for a separation agreement in SC?Read →June 25, 2026ProbateHow to Avoid Probate and Simplify Estate PlanningRead →June 12, 2026ProbateA family's guide to probate in South CarolinaRead →June 11, 2026Family LawDo I Need a Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer?Read →April 9, 2026Family LawUnderstanding Grandparents’ Rights in South CarolinaRead →March 18, 2026Real EstateWhat Is Joint Tenancy With Right of Survivorship?Read →March 4, 2026Family LawDoes South Carolina Have Legal Separation? What Couples Should KnowRead →February 18, 2026Real EstateWhat to Know About Joint Ownership in South CarolinaRead →February 13, 2026Family LawWhat Is Temporary Child Custody (and How Does It Work in SC)?Read →January 28, 2026Family LawLegal Separation vs Divorce in South Carolina: A GuideRead →January 14, 2026ProbateWhat Is a Co-Executor of an Estate?Read →December 26, 2025Family LawPreparing for Divorce in South Carolina: What to KnowRead →December 17, 2025Estate PlanningShould You Put Your House in a Trust?Read →December 3, 2025Estate PlanningWhat Is a Pour-Over Will (and Do You Need One?)Read →December 1, 2025Estate PlanningRevocable vs Irrevocable Trusts: What’s the Difference?Read →November 12, 2025ProbateHow Long Do You Have to Transfer Property After Death?Read →October 28, 2025What is a Transfer on Death Deed?Read →October 8, 2025Estate PlanningWhat Happens If You Die Without a Will?Read →September 25, 2025ProbateWhat is an Executor of an Estate?Read →September 15, 2025ProbateWhat is Intestate Succession?Read →August 28, 2025Estate PlanningHow to Update Your Will: A Simple GuideRead →August 14, 2025Estate PlanningPreparing a Will? Avoid Including These 5 ThingsRead →June 29, 2025Estate PlanningWhat is a Durable Power of Attorney?Read →June 12, 2025Real EstateClosing on a House: How Long Does It Take?Read →June 9, 2025Estate PlanningDo I Need a Trust if I Have a Will?Read →June 9, 2025Real EstateClosing Costs in South Carolina: What to KnowRead →June 9, 2025Estate PlanningWhat is a Living Trust?Read →June 5, 2025Real EstateHow to Appeal Your Lexington County Property Tax ReassessmentRead →April 8, 2025Real EstateWhat Is Title Insurance and Why Does It Matter?Read →March 26, 2025Real EstateHow a Real Estate Lawyer Makes Closing EasierRead →February 25, 2025Family LawWhat to Know About Divorce in South CarolinaRead →November 26, 2024Family LawHow Professional Mediation Helps to Resolve DisputesRead →November 12, 2024Family LawWhat to Know Before Hiring a Modification AttorneyRead →October 22, 2024Family LawAlimony & Spousal Support: What You Need to KnowRead →October 15, 2024Family LawChild Custody: How to Protect Your the Best Interests of Your ChildrenRead →September 25, 2024Family LawHow to Prepare for Your First Meeting with a Divorce LawyerRead →September 12, 2024Family LawHow to Choose the Right Family Law Attorney for Your CaseRead →May 7, 2024Family LawHow to Find the Right Prenup Attorney for Your SituationRead →January 26, 2024ProbateWhat is a Probate Lawyer?Read →January 17, 2024Estate PlanningDigital Assets: How Do I Protect My Digital Footprint With a Will?Read →December 13, 2023Estate PlanningWriting a Will: Your Most Important New Year’s ResolutionRead →July 12, 2023Protect Your Assets and Your Loved OnesRead →July 11, 2023Business & TaxContract Review: 3 Key PartsRead →June 27, 20234 Tips to Help You Cope with a Family Member’s Difficult DiagnosisRead →April 5, 2023Business & TaxYou’re Ready to Sell Your Business. Now what?Read →March 22, 2023ProbateDebt After Death: What You Need to DoRead →March 8, 2023Family LawHow to Change a Custody Agreement in SCRead →February 22, 2023Estate Planning3 Estate Planning Tips for Families with Beneficiaries with Special NeedsRead →February 8, 2023Family LawName Change in SC- What Is the Process Like?Read →January 25, 2023Your Spouse Left with Your Kids, Now What?Read →January 11, 2023Estate PlanningDiscussing Long-Term Care Planning with Your ParentsRead →December 21, 2022Estate PlanningEstate Plan (Trusts) Vs. Will – Ensure Your Assets Are Taken Care of After DeathRead →December 7, 2022Family LawHow To Break The News Of Divorce To Your ChildrenRead →November 23, 2022ProbateConservatorships Vs. Guardianship, what are the Differences?Read →October 26, 2022ProbateUnderstanding Estate Administration and What to do with Someone’s EstateRead →September 7, 2022Business & Tax3 Common Types of Employment Disputes And What You Can Do About ThemRead →August 24, 2022Family Law3 Frequently Asked Questions About AlimonyRead →August 10, 2022ProbateA Living Trust Can Help You Avoid Probate. Here’s How.Read →July 29, 2022Family LawCustody Battle 101: 5 Things that Can Hurt Your CaseRead →July 27, 2022ProbateThe Most Common Issues That Come Up During Probate, & How to Avoid ThemRead →June 29, 2022Family Law4 Common Reasons Couples Separate Instead of DivorceRead →June 15, 2022Business & TaxWhen Do I Need a Business Law Attorney?Read →May 18, 2022Family Law5 Ways An Attorney Can Ease The Pain Of DivorceRead →May 4, 2022ProbateProbate Is Rarely Easy. Here’s How An Attorney Can Help…Read →April 20, 2022Family LawDivorce, Annulment, Or Separation: What’s The Difference?Read →April 6, 2022Business & TaxThe 3 Biggest Mistakes Business Owners Make Prior To DeathRead →March 16, 2022Business & Tax3 Ways A Business Law Attorney Can Help Resolve An Employment DisputeRead →March 2, 2022Family LawMcCutchen McLean Named Best Family Law Firm by Lexington Life MagazineRead →February 16, 2022Family LawHow to Prepare for the Division of Assets During a DivorceRead →February 2, 2022Estate PlanningEnsuring a Smooth Transition for Your Business Upon Your IncapacityRead →January 19, 2022Family Law4 Types of Child Custody In South CarolinaRead →January 5, 2022Estate Planning3 Steps to Getting Started with Estate Planning In 2022Read →December 15, 2021Family LawWhat Does Your Social Media Say About You in a Custody Case?Read →December 1, 2021Estate PlanningEverything You Need to Know About TrustsRead →November 17, 2021Family LawDoes Mediation Really Work in a Contested Family Court Case?Read →November 10, 2021Estate PlanningWhat Happens to My Retirement if I Don’t Have a Will?Read →October 20, 2021Estate PlanningWhat Factors Will the IRS Evaluate When Approving or Rejecting an Offer in Compromise?Read →October 6, 2021Family LawMcCutchen McLean: Nominated for Best Family Law Attorney in the Best of Lexington Life CompetitionRead →September 22, 2021Family LawShould I Hire an Attorney for Alimony Modifications?Read →September 8, 2021ProbateWhen is Guardianship and Conservatorship Appropriate in South Carolina?Read →August 25, 2021Family LawBeginner’s Guide: South Carolina’s Types of AlimonyRead →August 11, 2021Estate PlanningThe Difference Between a Will and Estate PlanningRead →July 21, 2021Family LawGetting Ready for a Child Custody ConsultationRead →July 7, 2021ProbateBeginner’s Guide to ProbateRead →June 23, 2021Family LawWhat are Modifications in Family Law?Read →June 9, 2021Business & TaxWhen Is a Tax Lawyer Needed?Read →May 19, 2021Family Law4 Things You Need to Know Before Filing for DivorceRead →May 5, 2021Estate PlanningCan I Prepare My Own Will & Figure Out a Plan All by Myself?Read →April 21, 2021Family Law3 Roadblocks to a Successful Name ChangeRead →April 7, 2021Business & Tax4 Ways to Avoid Legal Trouble When Filing Your TaxesRead →March 24, 2021Family Law3 Foolproof Ways for Winning Child CustodyRead →March 10, 2021Probate3 Tips to Keep Your Estate Out of SC Probate CourtRead →February 24, 2021Family Law2 Things You Should Know When It Comes to AlimonyRead →February 10, 2021Business & Tax4 Circumstances You May Need a Business Law AttorneyRead →January 27, 2021Family Law2 Things to Know About Adult and Minor Name Changes in South CarolinaRead →January 13, 20214 Important Tips to Keep in Mind When Planning Your EstateRead →December 30, 2020Estate Planning3 Advantages of Estate PlanningRead →December 9, 2020Family Law3 Reasons Why Establishing Paternity in South Carolina MattersRead →November 19, 2020ProbateWhat is Probate Administration?Read →November 5, 2020Family Law3 Must Know Myths About Divorce & Family LawRead →October 21, 2020Estate PlanningAvoid 4 Costly Estate Planning MistakesRead →October 7, 2020Family Law3 Things to Know Before Filing for Divorce in SCRead →September 4, 2020Estate PlanningEstate Planning, Organ Donation, & Advance Medical DirectivesRead →August 10, 2020Nomination Received for Best of LexingtonRead →

Reading is a start. Talking is better.

Every situation is different — get answers about yours, plainly and without pressure.