Child Support

South Carolina subscribes to the South Carolina Child Support Guidelines.  The Guidelines provide a formula for every type of custodial arrangement.  Generally, the amount of child support a parent will pay depends on the gross monthly income of both parents and the amount of time the child spends with the parent.  Credit is given to the parent who pays work-related day care expenses and health insurance coverage.  Child support can be paid through wage withholding in most cases.  Normally, it is advisable to pay support through your county family court so that the clerk can maintain an accurate record of payments.  The county charges an additional 5% administrative fee for payments made through the court so some parents choose to pay support directly to the other parent.  Court orders govern how support is paid in each case.

Support is a minimum amount an individual must pay for the benefit of their child(ren).  Some parents choose to help pay for extra school expenses, clothes, shoes or activities, though this is not required under the Guidelines.

Support is normally paid until the child turns eighteen years old or graduates from high school, though parents can always agree to financially support the child for a longer period of time.  Normally, this comes in the form of payment of college expenses.  Parents are not required to pay college expenses, but this is certainly a common issue in negotiations.