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 Bluffton, 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 Bluffton. 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 Bluffton" ask yourself these questions:
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:
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.
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.
By working together our divorce law firm will help you rebuild your life and secure a better future for your family.
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 Bluffton, SC include:
If you or your spouse do not have the necessary grounds for divorce in Bluffton 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.
A divorce in Bluffton 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 Bluffton, SC. are highly experienced litigators and are well-equipped to handle any disputes revealed in the conference or courtroom.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Many of the family law clients that walk into our office have big questions that are leaving them full of stress and worry.
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.
When you trust our family law firm in Bluffton 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.
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 Bluffton, SC will help protect your interests and rights regarding:
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:
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.
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.
BLUFFTON — A local state senator called it "gamesmanship."The chief executive of a competing hospital said the developments were "very frustrating."Two weeks after a Lowcountry provider dropped plans to build a new hospital due to a lawsuit, one of the opponents proposed its own plans to create a new site nearby.On Sept. 10, Beaufort Memorial Hospital ...
BLUFFTON — A local state senator called it "gamesmanship."
The chief executive of a competing hospital said the developments were "very frustrating."
Two weeks after a Lowcountry provider dropped plans to build a new hospital due to a lawsuit, one of the opponents proposed its own plans to create a new site nearby.
On Sept. 10, Beaufort Memorial Hospital withdrew its application to open a 20-bed hospital, succumbing to a lawsuit backed by North Carolina-based giant Novant Health.
More than two weeks later, Novant unveiled plans to open a 50-bed site in Bluffton. In a Sept. 26 news release, the nonprofit said it plans to expand the hospital to 100 beds in the future.
The twin announcements continue the saga to expand health care access in Bluffton that has dragged on more than six years, intersected with a major legislative change and legal challenges. Novant now must navigate South Carolina's certification process, which could take years if there's legal opposition.
Asked whether Beaufort Memorial would challenge Novant's application to open the hospital, Chief Executive Officer Russell Baxley said the community medical provider is "looking at all of our options on the table at this point in time."
Beaufort Memorial initially announced plans to open a Bluffton hospital in 2018. The state health department approved its application to open the operation in July 2018, awarding a Certificate of Need for the $45 million project. While these certificates were designed to keep medical expenses down and control health services, the appeals process could also delay providers from opening new facilities.
That proved true for Beaufort Memorial. The community hospital's certificate was challenged in court by Tenet Health, which owned facilities in Hilton Head and Hardeeville, and Candler Hospital in Savannah. Each of these entities raised questions about the project's financial feasibility and the need for a new hospital in the region. The case that began in October 2018 endured a stay that approached three years, while a related case was pended in a higher court.
A change to state law altered the complexion of the litigation. Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill in May 2023 that would sunset the hospital certification requirement by 2027.
State Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, helped sponsor the bill. He said in a message that he wished there was no sunset, and that the repeal was immediate, but added that passing major legislation is difficult.
Citing the legislation, Candler dropped its legal challenge in September 2023. The S.C. hospitals continued to pursue the case through a December trial. Novant purchased the facilities in February.
Baxley said Beaufort Memorial met with Novant shortly after the nonprofit's acquisition to see if the organization would relinquish its legal challenge, which Novant declined.
Novant S.C. Regional President Jason Bernd said in an interview that the organization did not want to make any major strategic decisions while it assessed what the community needed. Dropping the lawsuit would qualify as a major strategic change.
Seeing that the litigation could continue well into the future, preventing Beaufort Memorial from achieving its January 2025 timeline for ground breaking, the community hospital opted to withdraw its certificate. Instead Beaufort Memorial intends to build a medical office building, freestanding emergency department, and ambulatory surgery center in its place.
"We felt forced to drop our CON in order to continue to avoid significant delays to build a hospital in the Bluffton area ... so we could move forward with a facility to meet the needs of the community" Baxley said. After dropping the CON, "(Novant) announced that they're going to build a hospital to meet the needs of the community. And I just find it very frustrating to say the least."
Davis called Novant's efforts "gamesmanship" and said the dispute between the two facilities showed why the state needed to repeal its CON requirement.
"There should not be artificial impediments to the flow of private capital into the development of new health care facilities," he said.
Bernd said the timing of the announcement about building the new hospital was not affected by the lawsuit. He said the plans were in the works for around the past half year.
Novant will need to submit a CON application to the state's health department, which Bernd said the organization plans to file imminently. According to state regulations, the department will make a decision on the effort between one and four months after the agency deems the application is complete, a process that can also take several months. Facilities and individuals affected by the nonprofit's plans can appeal an approval, potentially further delaying a groundbreaking.
Bernd said that construction for a hospital this size typically costs between $250-$300 million. Funds will come from Novant's organization, he said. The nonprofit also plans to open additional facilities, including its own ambulatory surgery and freestanding emergency department.
Baxley, of Beaufort Memorial, said it has been trying to fulfill the community needs all along.
"There's a need for beds there," Baxley said. "Somebody else decided that it wasn't going to be Beaufort Memorial beds."