Spousal and Child Support

Both parents are responsible for contributing to their child's welfare, so the non-custodial parent may be obliged to make a periodic payment as child support.

South Carolina Child Support Guidelines determine the specificity of this issue in the state. The Guidelines, as well as the Child Support Calculator, are available online. Generally, when calculating child support, each parent's income, their earning capacity, involvement in the child's life, and the child's stable and habitual standard of living (as before divorce) are taken into account.

The amount of child support must cover the basic needs of the child. However, this amount never remains stable. The court may increase or decrease support based on uninsured medical expenses, educational expenses, childcare costs, and any other changes in the parents' financial circumstances.