Family Court

Location: 401 Cleland Street, 1st Fl. Room 115
Phone: (843)-545-3046
Fax: (843)-545-3294
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday (except legal holidays)
Mailing Address: P.O. Drawer 479, Georgetown, SC 29442

Department Functions:

Having jurisdiction in matters such as child support, alimony, domestic abuse, divorces, interstate custody case, URESA (Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act), visitation, separate maintenance, custody, name change, annulment, paternity, equitable distribution, legal guardianship, support modification, and termination of support. Family Court maintains case records and records associated with court actions. Only inspected with special permission from the judge, cases considered confidential include juvenile, abuse and neglect, termination of parental rights, adoption and any other cases that are ordered sealed by the Court. These cases are not available through the Clerk of Court’s Public Access System. The Family Court maintains the 608 Appointment List, which includes a civil and criminal list of rotating attorneys.

The activities of Family Court include:

• Preserving and maintains case records, including records of judgments
• Collects and disburses child support and alimony payments as ordered by the court
• Preparing Rule to Show Cause for delinquent payers of child support and alimony payments
• Preparing wage withholding for garnishment of payer’s wages for child support and alimony payments
• Appointing attorneys and Guardian at Litem when applicable
• Scheduling hearings for court
• Preparing rosters for court
• Bench Warrants issued as ordered by the Court

Directions:

From Columbia: Take S.C. Highway 76/378 toward Sumter. Travel about 25 miles then exit onto S.C. Highway 261 to Manning. S.C. Highway 261 becomes 521 in Manning. Take Highway 521 to Georgetown. Inside the city limits, highway 521 becomes Highmarket (H-Market) Street. Continue on Highmarket Street to Screven Street. Turn right onto Screven Street. Travel one block over to Prince Street. The stately historic courthouse sits on the corner.

From Charleston: Take S.C. Highway 17 North to Georgetown. Once inside the city limits, highway 17 becomes S. Fraser Street. At the second traffic light, turn right onto Front Street. Continue on Front Street to Screven Street. Turn left onto Screven Street. Travel one block to the courthouse.

From Myrtle Beach: Take S.C. Highway 17 South to Georgetown. Upon entering Georgetown, highway 17 becomes Church Street. Travel three blocks along Church Street; turn left onto Screven Street. Travel three blocks along Screven to Prince Street. The immaculate historic courthouse sits on the corner.

From Conway: Take S.C. Highway 701 South to Georgetown. Inside the city limits, highway 701 becomes N. Fraser Street. At the fifth traffic light, turn left onto Highmarket (H-Market) Street. Take Highmarket Street to Screven Street. Turn right onto Screven and go one block over. The 18th Century Courthouse sits on the corner.

Department News:

Banned in all courtrooms in South Carolina, by order of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Carolina dated August 25, 2000, is the use of audible pagers, cell phones, and any other personal communication device by attorneys, jurors, staff members, litigants, witnesses, or the public. Except with express permission of the presiding judge, these devices must be turned off, or placed in a silent mode, such as vibrate, prior to being carried into any courtroom. Should a device activate in the courtroom, the person possessing the device must exit the courtroom before responding in any fashion. Violation of the terms of this Order may result in the confiscation of the equipment and the violator may be held in contempt of court and subject to sanctions.

Trial Rosters

Roster are in Adobe Acrobat PDF Format.

Court Roster:

February 1, 2010

February 15, 2010

March 1, 2010

March 15, 2010

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Can I call the office to find out the status of my child support or alimony payment?

A: Information will NOT be given over the phone by Family Court personnel for security reasons. However, you can call the Automated System by dialing (843)545-3057 and follow the instructions. You will need to have your case number available. This service is provided 24 hours a day, and updated after 5:00 p.m. daily. You also may come to the office to find out the status of your payments, provided you have picture identification.

Q: Where do I file for a restraining order?

A: If you are seeking a Restraining Order because of an incidence of domestic abuse, first contact Citizens Against Spouse Abuse (CASA) at (843-546-1349) to initiate the process, which will be passed on to Family Court. If you are in immediate distress or danger, please call 911. Domestic Abuse petitions cover family members and two unmarried parties that have a child together. Restraining Orders are only temporary through the filing of a Domestic Abuse Petition. If you wish to file for a permanent Restraining Order, you will need an attorney unless you know and understand the proper procedure.

Q: Where do I make my child support or alimony payments?

A: Payments are made at the Georgetown County Family Court office, located on the first floor of the Georgetown County Courthouse, Room 108, which is located on 129 ScrevenStreet, Georgetown, SC. The mailing address is Family Court, P. O. Box 421270, Georgetown, SC 29442. There is also a Family Court "Drop Box" that you can place your checks or money orders in for payment, located on Screven Street at the outside entrance to the Georgetown County Treasurer’s Office. IF YOU MAIL YOUR PAYMENT, OR PLACE IN THE SUPPORT DROP BOX, MAKE SURE YOUR CASE NUMBER IS ON YOUR CHECK OR MONEY ORDER. DO NOT MAIL CASH. WE ONLY ACCEPT CHECKS FROM THE PARTIES INVOLVED, AND EMPLOYERS FROM PARTIES THAT ARE ON WAGE WITHHOLDING. WE DO NOT ACCEPT CHECKS THAT ARE OUT OF STATE, OR FROM FAMILY OR FRIENDS.

Q: How do I get a receipt for my support payment if I mail it in?

A: Provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope with a request for your receipt to be returned.

Q: Can I pick up my support check?

A: Support checks can not be picked up. Once the payment has been posted, the check will be mailed the next working day.

Q: If child support or alimony payments are not being made by the responsible party as ordered, why has he/she not been brought before the Court?

A: There could be various reasons:
• Is he/she out of state?
• Have you contacted the Family Court to see if the responsible party not making the payments has an updated address? Numerous attempts of service are made, but the party may be unable to locate at the address given.
• If the party was placed on wage withholding, it’s possible he/she is no longer working at the same job.

Q: Why haven’t I received my support check if the payment was made?

A: It’s possible that your check was returned to the Family Court due to your change of address which was not received by our office. Also, the check may have been lost in the mail.

Q: Where do I change my address?

A: You can come to the Family Court office and request the address change. It must be done in writing and include a photo identification. Also, you can mail or fax in your request., which will need to include a photo identification and a notarized statement. This is for your protection. The fax number is (843) 545-3294.

Q: Where and how do I file for child support?

A: One files for child support in one of the following ways:
• Hiring an attorney
• Applying with the South Carolina Department of Social Services which includes a $25.00 fee – Family Court has the necessary applications
• Filing Pro Se (without an attorney)
• Contacting The South Centers for Equal Justice (Legal Aid)
• You may contact Family Court for explanations on any of the above.

Q: What services does the South Carolina Department of Social Services provide?

A: The South Carolina Department of Social Services provides the following assistance:
• Parent Locate
• Income Tax Intercept
• License Revocation
• Legal representation in child support proceedings

Q: What are the filing fees for Family Court?

A: The costs for filings are:
• Summons and Complaint (new case) -- $150.00
• Motions and Rules To Show Cause -- $25.00 – some exemptions
• Consent Orders -- $25.00
• Lis Pendens -- $10.00
• Cancellation of Lis Pendens -- $1.00

Q: Does the Family Court give out legal advice?

A: No, the Family Court office staff does not give out legal advice.

Q: Can the Family Court staff recommend an attorney or law firm?
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A: No; the Family Court office staff is prohibited from referring you to an attorney.

Q: Can I act as my own attorney when filing a case?

A: Yes, but Family Court cannot give you any advice as to the law or procedures.