If there were one universal truth it would be that every family is different. We all have our own set of challenges to face and changes to go through. Sometimes those changes are happy like when a new baby is born. Other times these changes involve uncertainty and loss like in the event of a divorce.
If you are having to go through the pain of divorce deal with a complicated custody issue or are handling a different family-related legal matter you might need help. At Cobb Hammett LLC we understand that family issues are hard. Many of the family law clients that we work for have big questions about the future leaving them over-stressed and full of worry. They are concerned about their children their marriage or both. They are wrestling with uncertainty and anxiety having been served confusing documents that don't make sense. Sound familiar? A family law attorney in Hilton Head Island, SC can help whether you need a level-headed moderator or a trusted advocate in the courtroom.
At Cobb Hammett LLC we have decades of combined experience serving the needs of families from divorce proceedings to family formation issues. Our team is fiercely committed to our clients and with a dedicated focus stays up-to-date on the nuanced world of family law in Hilton Head Island. If you're looking for personal attention unbiased representation and a responsive family law attorney look no further than our law firm.
If you're unsure of whether you need a family law lawyers in Hilton Head Island" ask yourself these questions:
- Are you getting married?
- Are you thinking about divorce?
- Has your spouse served you with legal papers?
- Are your kids not receiving the support that they are entitled to?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above know that we are here to help you figure out your next steps. With Cobb Hammett Law Firm by your side you can have the confidence to face even the most difficult family law issues. All of our attorneys have years of experience are incredibly responsive and fight for your family's rights. We are happy to take as much time as you need to answer questions and help put your mind at ease for whatever lies ahead.
Our firm specializes in a wide range of family law cases including:
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- Alimony
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Mediation
- Property Division
- More
If you have been left to manage a foreign family law situation it's time to call Cobb Hammett LLC. We will sit down with you for an hour at absolutely no cost - because we understand what you're going through and know that you need answers not another bill to pay.
To help provide you with a basic understanding of family law keep reading for in-depth explanations on our areas of expertise.
Divorce lawyer in
Hilton Head Island SC.
At Cobb Hammett LLC we know all-too-well that a one size fits all approach isn't going to work very well for your unique situation. That's why we approach each divorce case from a personalized standpoint - something that we feel like each of our clients deserves.
Our goal is to help solve your family law issues and focus on your needs when your divorce is finalized. We will help develop a strategy for:
- Meeting your post-divorce needs and objectives
- Dividing marital property for maximum benefit
- Maximizing time spent with your child as part of your divorce's parenting plan
- Strengthen your role as a decision-maker for your child
- Navigating your divorce proceedings and minimizing financial and emotional costs
By working together our divorce law firm will help you rebuild your life and secure a better future for your family.
Divorces in South Carolina
- Different Than Other States
Unlike divorce law in other states South Carolina divorce law doesn't allow spouses to receive an instant no-fault divorce. One or both spouses in the marriage must establish a legally acceptable reason for a divorce to happen. Grounds for a divorce in Hilton Head Island, SC include:
- Desertion
- Physical Cruelty
- Habitual Drunkenness
- Separation for One Year or More
- Adultery
If you or your spouse do not have the necessary grounds for divorce in Hilton Head Island our family law firm can file a Separate Maintenance and Support action. This step lets the court order child custody alimony and marital bills until you can file for your divorce. During this period Cobb Hammett LLC gathers pertinent info on your spouse's character and assets that can strengthen your case should it be necessary.
Common Issues Associated
with Divorces in Hilton Head Island
A divorce in Hilton Head Island means more than the end of a marriage. It involves dividing the parties debts and assets determines child support and custody parameters and can establish alimony. At Cobb Hammett LLC many of our clients are able to reach agreements with their spouse to resolve these issues. Reaching an agreement lets both parties customize the terms of their divorce to conserve resources avoid trial and meet the family's needs.
Sometimes however two spouses cannot or will not come to terms with an agreement. In these situations a trial is possible and litigation is necessary. Our family law attorneys in Hilton Head Island, SC. are highly experienced litigators and are well-equipped to handle any disputes revealed in the conference or courtroom.
Common divorce issues include:
Child Custody and Visitation
One of the most heart-wrenching difficult decisions for parents going through a divorce is resolving child custody and visitation issues. Child custody refers to how much time each parent will spend with their child and whether they can make decisions for them. According to South Carolina law child custody and visitation time are based on what is best for the child.
Child Support
Like other U.S states a formula is used in South Carolina to determine how much child support a person must pay. This formula recommends the amount of child support based on factors like how much income the parents make the cost of childcare and the obligation to support children from other relationships.
Alimony
In South Carolina there is no formula to determine how much alimony a person must pay. However courts consider several factors when deciding if alimony is needed how much alimony should be paid and how long a spouse must pay it. Those factors include each spouse's ability and need to pay alimony how long the marriage lasted and any marital misconduct that occurred. To make matters more confusing there are different alimony types including lump sum rehabilitative and reimbursement.
Distribution of Property
In South Carolina marital property is the property that each spouse amasses from the date of the wedding to the time a spouse files for divorce. That property can often include marital debt. In a South Carolina divorce the courts will order an equitable division of property meaning fair under all circumstances but not necessarily equal.
Understanding Child Custody in Hilton Head Island, SC.
As mentioned above decisions that involve child custody and visitation can be contentious for parents both emotionally and legally. As experienced empathetic divorce lawyers we understand how difficult this process can be. When we work with clients going through child custody battles we always make it a point to be with them through the ups and downs to help them stay centered. Whether you are the husband or wife in your divorce we share a common goal: finding an effective way to support your children and assure their wellbeing.
In South Carolina child custody is a loaded term. In the most general definition child custody determines when each parent is responsible for the physical care of the child and how much authority each parent has to make decisions in their child's life.
No two child custody cases are the same but a negotiated custody arrangement is usually preferred in the judge's eyes as each parent has input in the process. If the parents cannot come to an amicable resolution their fate is left in the hands of a Family Court Judge in South Carolina. The focus of child custody law is always on what is in the best interests of the child. What the judge determines to be the best interests changes depending on the judge.
There are different variations of custody in South Carolina (or custody arrangements) each with varying degrees of authority. When you consult with our family law attorneys at Cobb Hammett LLC we will go over the child custody process in detail and touch on each distinction to eliminate any confusion you have.
- Help develop cooperative solutions to disputes or mediate when needed
- Create an equitable parenting plan
- Discuss the implications of the different forms of joint and sole custody
- Problems related to child support
- Modify court orders if you or your child's circumstances change
- Enforcement of visitation and custody agreements
- Much more
Many of the family law clients that walk into our office have big questions that are leaving them full of stress and worry.
Understanding Child Support
in Hilton Head Island, SC.
When children are involved in divorce cases child support is often ordered. Several factors can impact whether child support is ordered like the income-earning potential of the child's parents any custody arrangements that are created and what needs the child may have.
At Cobb Hammett LLC we have years of experience with child support issues relating to:
- Cases where child support is needed for stay-at-home parents
- Modifications and enforcement of child support mandates
- Resolving support and custody disputes
- Mediation arrangements to reach an agreement on child support. Compared to litigation going
- the mediated route often means less stress and is more cost-effective than trial.
When you trust our family law firm in Hilton Head Island for representation we can help calculate an estimate of how much child support you or your spouse may be ordered to pay. We can also perform a needs-based analysis in cases that involve large amounts of income. At the end of the day our goal is to make this frustrating process as stress-free as possible for you so that you can focus on living life and caring for your child.
Understanding Alimony in
Hilton Head Island, SC.
Alimony (sometimes called spousal support or maintenance) is ordered by the court or negotiated between parties. This kind of spousal support has many factors like the income of both spouses how long they were married and the age of each spouse. Like child custody and child support trusted legal guidance is strongly recommended if you are facing potential alimony payments. Our family law attorneys will help you reach amicable arrangements for fair and appropriate alimony payments.
At Cobb Hammett LLC your family law attorney in Hilton Head Island, SC will help protect your interests and rights regarding:
- Alimony and business assets
- Permanent or long-term alimony
- Significant alimony in high-asset divorces
- Modifications to alimony arrangements when you or your spouse's circumstances change
- Enforcement of spousal support mandates when needed
Understanding Division of
Property in Hilton Head Island, SC.
When there are no children marital property or issues of alimony divorces often proceed smoothly between amicable spouses. However most divorces in South Carolina are much more complex. Typically divorce involves a union between spouses that lasts for years and involves substantial marital property. This property can be personal property real estate family businesses debts out-of-state property debts bank accounts and more.
In these nuanced situations the applicable parties need assistance dividing their property. This help most often comes from seasoned family law attorneys like Cobb Hammett LLC.
When it comes to distribution of property certain types of properties that are controversial even under the property division rules in South Carolina. South Carolina is an equitable distribution state meaning that marital property is divided equitably but not always equally.
If you are going through a divorce it's important that you are aware of the following assets and the common issues their division presents:
Pensions:
Generally pensions are the second-largest asset in a marriage. When there are sufficient alternative income sources to compensate the non-pension holder South Carolina divorce courts may leave the pension rights with the spouse who earned it with future distribution available. Otherwise a divorce court may enter a Qualified Domestic Relations Order requiring the pension administrator to pay both the former spouse and worker.
Family Home:
The family home or the primary residential property owned by the divorcing couple is usually considered a marriage's biggest asset. Dividing this kind of property can be complex and frustrating especially when there are kids involved.
Many divorcing couples have a hard time reaching an agreement on property division. Because the division of property depends on the complexity of you or your spouse's assets and liabilities it is crucial to consult with an experienced family law attorney to provide guidance.
Latest News in Hilton Head Island, SC
Shut the Dores: South Carolina scores sixth win in convincing victory over Vanderbilt
Jordan Kayehttps://www.islandpacket.com/sports/college/article295309994.html
Nashville, Tenn.It is days like Saturday where Shane Beamer has to wish his team played an NFL schedule. Could they play until January? Maybe a 17-game schedule?Just a little more time. Please. Because for three straight games now, South Carolina has looked like one of the best teams in America.It has a bruising rushing attack that seems bound to pop a firework twice a game. It has a defense that looks like a bonfire inside a beehive — so much chaos in such little space. The Gamecocks are suffocating, relentless de...
Nashville, Tenn.
It is days like Saturday where Shane Beamer has to wish his team played an NFL schedule. Could they play until January? Maybe a 17-game schedule?
Just a little more time. Please. Because for three straight games now, South Carolina has looked like one of the best teams in America.
It has a bruising rushing attack that seems bound to pop a firework twice a game. It has a defense that looks like a bonfire inside a beehive — so much chaos in such little space. The Gamecocks are suffocating, relentless destructors. No. 24 Vanderbilt figured that out Saturday.
South Carolina (6-3, 4-3 SEC) came out of Nashville with a 28-7 win and became bowl-eligible for the first time in two seasons.
“It’s extra special tonight just coming off the (5-7) season we had last year,” Beamer said. “Very few people thought we would — I saw a lot of those preseason projections and they certainly didn’t have us winning six games this season.”
This Commodores (6-4, 3-3 SEC) are like the little engine that could. Led by their 6-foot, 207-pound quarterback Diego Pavia, they have already beaten No. 1 Alabama, Kentucky, Virginia Tech and were within a field goal of knocking off No. 5 Texas. This team makes magic. Leave the door open and you leave open the possibility of Pavia doing something insane to put his team back in the game.
Well, South Carolina kept that thing super-glued.
It shut out Vanderbilt in the first half, highlighted by a forced fumble and recovery by edge rusher Kyle Kennard in the red zone. In the second half, Pavia was phenomenal and found the end zone out of the gate. He had a spark. Then South Carolina turned over the Commodores on downs the next two drives.
It was over. And the stats don’t tell the whole truth.
Yes, the Gamecocks sacked Pavia just twice, but sadly there is no stat for how many times a quarterback has to retreat back 30 yards, spin out of a tackle then just heave the ball toward the moon. That seemed to occur about every other play Saturday.
“We hold the defense to a different-type of standard,“ linebacker Debo Williams said. “Like, they ain’t scoring. We’re mad they got seven (points).”
It was, yet again, another night where it felt like South Carolina’s defense could beat anyone in the country. Another night where the LSU and Alabama losses loom large because, if the Gamecocks won just one of those, they’d be in the playoff conversation.
Unfortunately, the time machine doesn’t exist. If it did, though, Rocket Sanders might be in the front of the line.
The Gamecocks running back, who transferred from Arkansas this offseason, dealt with injuries for the first part of the season and was just mundane. Heading into November, he had racked up just 426 yards on the ground. Some put the blame on his offensive line — and that’s fair — but Sanders lacked explosion.
Then came the bye week. Sanders said he spent hours on the Stairmaster, which doesn’t seem like the secret formula to the foundation of youth, but Sanders may have begun some studies. Since that bye week, he has totaled 270 rushing yards, 144 receiving yards and five total touchdowns.
“The key thing is trusting it,” Sanders said. “On the field, just trusting it. And being very coachable helped me out a lot.”
Against Vanderbilt, he made the Commodores defenders look like they were on the Stairmaster, averaging over 8 yards per carry. He was zigging and zagging his way all over the field, hitting the hole with an urgency and fierceness that was lacking early on.
South Carolina now has three more regular-season games and a bowl game remaining. If they win out, the Gamecocks will reach 10 wins for just the fifth time in school history. After these past two weeks, it doesn’t seem impossible.
This story was originally published November 9, 2024, 7:25 PM.
Shane Beamer talks Vanderbilt win, injuries, Top 25 ... and takes stand for Sir Big Spur
Trevyn Grayhttps://www.islandpacket.com/sports/college/article295297249.html
After a 28-7 win over Vanderbilt, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer said he was proud of his team’s performance and spoke to the media following the game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville.“Really, really proud of our football team coming into this stadium. This ain’t an easy place to play for a lot of reasons,” Beamer said. “To come in here against anot...
After a 28-7 win over Vanderbilt, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer said he was proud of his team’s performance and spoke to the media following the game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville.
“Really, really proud of our football team coming into this stadium. This ain’t an easy place to play for a lot of reasons,” Beamer said. “To come in here against another ranked team and have another three-touchdown win over an SEC team, to become bowl-eligible as well, to become the first South Carolina team since 2011 to win three SEC road games is a huge accomplishment. Just really, really happy for our guys.
“Everyone thought there’d be a letdown coming off last week. To come in here and know it was gonna be a tough, gritty, hard game just because of the way Vandy plays football — it’s really satisfying for us as a football team.
“We’ve got a lot more to accomplish in these next three games: our final SEC home game of the year, our final SEC game of the year next week back in Williams-Brice
“But awesome night tonight. And thanks to our fans, it sounded like Williams-Brice Stadium in there at times tonight. For it to be a sold-out crowd here at Vanderbilt, but the most noise was made by the Carolina fans throughout the night — best fans in the world and grateful for them.”
Beamer told reporters that starting safety DQ Smith “tweaked something” in pregame warmups and had to be replaced in the lineup by Peyton Williams. Starting offensive tackle Josiah Thompson was injured in the game and has a lower body issue, Beamer said. “I hope Josiah’s OK. I don’t think it’s anything serious.”
“I like the way that we responded to adversity, whether it be the defense when Vanderbilt was in scoring position ... we did a really good job,” Beamer said.
Vanderbilt pushed the ball to the USC 40-yard line or closer on three different occasions without putting points on the board.
“We’ve got a special group of guys, and that’s what I’m so excited about,” Beamer said, referring making a bowl game this year. “I mean, it’s like last year not going to a bowl game. And one of the biggest reasons is, obviously, we were 5-7.
“But not having another month with that team, because that team was so much fun to coach. So I just told the locker room, it’s so awesome that we get at least another month together as a football team after the end of the regular season.”
After defeating then-No. 10 Texas A&M in Williams-Brice Stadium last week, USC wasn’t placed on either the AP Top 25 or the College Football Playoff rankings, to the surprise of Beamer.
“The people that do the rankings don’t think we’re worth the crap, and that’s fine,” Beamer said. “Keep crapping on us. That’s the way we like it as well. Don’t rank us this week. We’re good where we are.
“We just like to just lay low and work really, really hard and come out and have fun on Saturdays as well.”
“I promised Sir Big Spur I would do this: Disappointed that Sir Big Spur’s not here. I think it’s ridiculous,” Beamer said. “This is the only place, apparently, in the SEC that doesn’t allow live mascots in the stadium.
“And that’s what makes this league special... The fact that LSU can have a freaking tiger at their stadium tonight, and we can’t bring Sir Big Spur.
“So Sir Big Spur came over and gave us a send-off before we left the facility yesterday, and I told him I would say hello to Sir Big Spur in the press conference. So, we miss you guys. Come off Vandy. Do better.”
Since Vanderbilt won’t let live mascots attend their games we went to campus to send off @GamecockFB today. I gave them a message to deliver. Go #Gamecocks!Leave no doubt!!!! pic.twitter.com/7rjypLNnMG
— Sir Big Spur (@2001sirbigspur) November 9, 2024
This story was originally published November 9, 2024, 8:40 PM.
Hilton Head Island football dominates Bluffton. Area teams advance in SCISA playoffs
Lou Bezjakhttps://www.islandpacket.com/sports/high-school/article295293679.html
A roundup of Friday night’s action as final week of regular season for public schools and first round of the SCISA playoffs.The Seahawks (8-2) wrapped up their most successful regular season in a decade with a dominating performance on Friday night.Hilton Head Island has won eight games for the first time since 2015 when it had a 10-win season. The Seahawks will host a first-round playoff game in the 4A playoffs next week.Seahawk running back Troy Timko rushed for 270 yards and three touchdowns. Thaddeus Czarnecki ...
A roundup of Friday night’s action as final week of regular season for public schools and first round of the SCISA playoffs.
The Seahawks (8-2) wrapped up their most successful regular season in a decade with a dominating performance on Friday night.
Hilton Head Island has won eight games for the first time since 2015 when it had a 10-win season. The Seahawks will host a first-round playoff game in the 4A playoffs next week.
Seahawk running back Troy Timko rushed for 270 yards and three touchdowns. Thaddeus Czarnecki added 127 yards and a TD. QB Derrick Raniszewski threw a TD pass and ran for one.
Carson Haines caught three passes for 63 yards and a TD.
Bluffton also will be in the Class 4A playoffs.
Owen Mayers threw a TD pass and ran for one as the Barons defeated JP2 in the first round of the SCISA 3A playoffs.
Jackson Bonser kicked three field goals for Wilson Hall.
Alan Wolf had a TD run and Connor Brown threw a TD pass to Jackson Sanders for the Warriors’ scoring.
Quarterback Reid McCollum threw three touchdown passes and ran for three as HHCA defeated Florence Christian in the first round of the SCISA 3A playoffs.
Hilton Head Christian will travel to Wilson Hall in the semifinals next week.
Sam Strum caught two TD passes and Harry Cunningham had one for HHCA.
Tony O’Banner ran for three touchdowns and Kiran Boggs threw two touchdown passes as the Rebels advanced in the SCISA Class A playoffs.
THA will host Dorchester Academy next week.
Nicolas Robinson and Donovan Robinson each had TD runs for THA. Gibson also returned a fumble for a touchdown.
Ridgeland finished off a win in the game that was suspended in October and made up on Friday night.
Ridgeland will host a first-round game against Scott’s Branch next week.
Regular season
Abbeville 48, McCormick 6
Batesburg-Leesville 8, Strom Thurmond 7
Blackville-Hilda 35, Ridge Spring-Monetta 12
Boiling Springs 41, Eastside 0
Cane Bay 28, Berkeley 23
Carolina Forest 49, North Myrtle Beach 24
Chapin 35, White Knoll 34
Chesnee 47, Blacksburg 13
Christ Church 34, St. Joseph’s 14
Clinton 42, Liberty 22
Conway 49, St James 35
Daniel 42, Seneca 21
Dutch Fork 24, Irmo 14
Fairfield Central 45, Mid Carolina 13
Fountain Inn 35, Laurens 14
Gaffney 27, Spartanburg 24
Greenville 49, Easley 21
Greenwood 35, Mauldin 13
Greer 51, Travelers Rest 0
Hilton Head Island 42, Bluffton 7
JL Mann 35, Woodmont 6
Mountain View Prep 48, Union County 7
Myrtle Beach 35, Socastee 23
Newberry 33, Silver Bluff 21
North Augusta 20, Gray Collegiate 17
Palmetto 57, Carolina High and Academy 6
Pendleton 26, Blue Ridge 0
Pickens 52, Berea 0
Powdersville 44, Southside Christian 0
River Bluff 24, Lexington 10
Riverside 44, Wade Hampton 20
Saluda 57, American Leadership Academy 0
Stratford 21, Goose Creek 14
Sumter 49, Ridge View 6
TL Hanna 43, Hillcrest 21
Ware Shoals 36, Whitmire 34
West Florence 53, Spring Valley 12
Westside 61, Southside 0
Woodruff 35, Broome 14
Wren 42, Emerald 25
Thursday
Gilbert 52, Aiken 7
South Aiken 40, Airport 27
SCISA Playoffs
Class 4A
Hammond 35, Cardinal Newman 6
Augusta Christian 17, Ben Lippen 7
Porter-Gaud 44, Heathwood Hall 13
Northwood 49, Laurence Manning 20
Class 3A
Wilson Hall 25, John Paul II 14
Hilton Head Christian 42, Florence Christian 7
Pinewood Prep 49, Trinity Collegiate 13
Northside Christian 53, First Baptist 28
Class 2A
Pee Dee Academy 56, Spartanburg Christian 19
Greenwood Christian 28, St. John’s Christian 14
Calhoun Academy 42, Hilton Head Prep 27
Bethesda 36, Orangeburg Prep 0
Class A
Thomas Heyward 55, Lee Academy 12
Dorchester 45, Colleton Prep 7
Williamsburg Academy 55, Patrick Henry 6
Beaufort Academy 23, Carolina Academy 21
8-Man
Richard Winn 51, Newberry Academy 16
Wardlaw 46, Holly Hill 44
Jefferson Davis 46, WW King 22
Laurens Academy 56, Cross Schools 22
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