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Cobb Hammett, LLC: A Family Law Firm You Can Trust

At Cobb Hammett Law Firm, our family law attorneys have decades of combined experience serving the needs of families, from divorce proceedings and alimony issues to family formations and adoptions. While every one of our family law clients has unique needs and circumstances, they all rely on our law firm for personal attention and a responsive family law lawyer in Ladson, SC. If you require zealous representation and a time-tested approach to family law, we're here to help.

Family Law Attorney Ladson, SC

As a full-service family law firm in South Carolina, we're proud to serve a wide range of clients: men and women, husbands and wives, business owners and executives, and just about every type of person in between. When they come to us, they're often distraught, confused, and anxious about the steps ahead. We consider those issues and make it a point to provide compassion and advice on the best possible approach to their situation or case. That way, they can rest easy at night knowing we have their back, no matter what hurdles may lie ahead.

Unsure whether you need to speak with a family law attorney? Ask yourself this:

  • Do you plan on getting married?
  • Do you plan on getting a divorce?
  • Has your husband or wife served you with a Summons from the State of South Carolina?
  • Are you struggling because you or your children do not receive adequate support?

If your answer to any of those questions is in the affirmative, it's time to give our family law firm in South Carolina a call today. Though time is often of the essence in family law matters, our team would be happy to sit with you to review your situation and provide an easy-to-understand roadmap for your legal future.

South Carolina Divorce 101

Divorce is a difficult decision for anyone, whether it's you or your partner who initiates it. It's a painful experience that can leave you feeling shattered and alone in the dark. When you made your wedding vows, you did so with the intention of being together for life. You invested a lot of time and money into your wedding, inviting friends and family from all over South Carolina to share in your joy.

Now, you're faced with the harsh reality that you and your former spouse are no longer together. As your family law attorney in Ladson, SC, we understand how overwhelming this can be. We've assisted many clients through the divorce process and had the knowledge and tools to help them work through it and move on to greener pastures.

The Cobb Hammett Law Firm Approach to Child Custody in South Carolina

Did you know that the U.S. Census Bureau states that 25% of children younger than 21 live with just one parent while the other parent resides elsewhere in the country? In such circumstances, many families must navigate the complicated and legally complex process of child custody. As seasoned family law attorneys, we have represented clients in all aspects and legal stages of child custody and support.

We focus in providing services for a range of issues, including but not limited to:

  • Drafting Reasonable Proposed Parenting Plans
  • Preparing Child Support Calculations
  • Communication with a Guardian ad Litem (if applicable)
  • Securing De Facto Custodian / Psychological Parent Rights
  • Negotiating Agreements Relating to Child Custody
  • Prosecuting Claims Related to Domestic Violence
  • Prosecuting and Defending Claims for
  • Adoption,
  • Termination of Parental Rights
  • Custody, and
  • Visitation
  • Defending Claims Alleging Abuse / Neglect by the Department of Social Services

Every family has its own distinct characteristics, and as such, child-related agreements must also be customized to fit each unique situation. In South Carolina, our team of skilled family law attorneys takes the time to understand our clients' individual goals and needs and tailor our services accordingly.

Family Law Attorney Ladson, SC

South Carolina Alimony 101

When you get married, you go into the partnership believing that you'll be together forever. It makes sense, then, that most divorcing couples don't know very much about alimony in South Carolina (also referred to as spousal support). They ask questions such as:

  • Who gets alimony?
  • What is a reasonable amount of alimony?

Fortunately, working with a family law lawyer in Ladson, SC, can answer those questions and make alimony easier to understand and approach.

Law Firm Ladson, SC
Family Support Attorney Ladson, SC

What is Alimony in South Carolina?

Many individuals often mistake alimony for child support, but they are, in fact, two distinct forms of financial obligation and not mutually exclusive. Alimony was established to safeguard a supported spouse in the event of a divorce or separation. For example, a spouse who did not work during the course of the marriage would generally have a stronger alimony claim than a spouse who worked throughout the marriage. Likewise, a spouse who worked throughout the marriage but made less than the other spouse would have a stronger alimony claim than a spouse who worked and earned equivalent income to the supporting spouse.

In many cases, a spouse may choose to stay at home to tend to the children and manage the household. Oftentimes, the spouse who remains at home has sacrificed their career or education to care for the family. In such instances, a divorce could leave the financially weaker spouse in a state of financial turmoil. Without that support system, they will have to start over from scratch. These are some factors the Court will consider in evaluating an appropriate alimony case. Throughout your marriage, you have structured your quality of life based on a budget determined by your finances. While all expenses are shared by both partners, what happens if you have been financially dependent on your spouse and need to support yourself?

At Cobb, & Hammett, LLC, we aim to assist you in securing the alimony you need to support both yourself and your children. At the same time, we want to ensure that you are not overpaying your spouse, if you are the one required to pay. You may be required to pay an amount that could leave you in a difficult financial situation. Regardless, it's crucial to have the right legal representation to guide you through the alimony process in South Carolina.

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The Cobb Hammett Law Firm Approach to Alimonyin South Carolina

Some people may assume financial responsibilities to a former partner are end with the filing of a divorce decree. However, if the court has mandated alimony payments, then the financial obligations survive. Failure to meet those obligations can lead to serious legal and financial consequences. Family law attorneys at Cobb Hammett, LLC have years of experience representing clients throughout the divorce process, including alimony determinations.

Our legal services cover many aspects of alimony law, such as:

  • Negotiating Temporary and Final Alimony Payments
  • Modifying Alimony
  • Providing Advice on Reasonable Alimony
  • Filing to Collect Unpaid Alimony

Though our family law attorneys are fearless negotiators and litigators, we always strive to keep your legal proceedings as seamless and straightforward as possible. Our goal is to help reach an agreement on alimony that is reasonable for both you and your spouse. However, compromises aren't always possible. If needed, our lawyers will fight aggressively on your behalf to help ensure your financial rights are protected.

Family Law Attorney Ladson, SC

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Law is complicate matter. It can cause you a big problem if you ignore it. Let us help you!

Trust the Cobb & Hammett Difference

Dealing with family law cases can be incredibly trying, particularly when it comes to matters of separation or divorce. As your family law attorney in Ladson, SC, we recognize the challenges you're facing. With that in mind, know that we're committed to offering empathetic legal counsel on your behalf, no matter how contentious or confusing your situation may become. Contact our law offices today for your initial family law consultation.

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Latest News in Ladson, SC

Walmart in Ladson temporarily closing. Here’s when and what to know.

LADSON — The Walmart Neighborhood Market will temporarily close in April for renovations.Rather than fix up the small-format store section by section as the retail giant has done in its past Lowcountry overhauls, the company will completely shut down its 3685 Ladson Road outpost for a “rapid remodel.”The temporary closing will begin Monday, April 6, Walmart said in a statement. All Walmarts will be closed the day prior in observance of the Easter Sunday holiday.Walmart said the Ladson store near Jamison...

LADSON — The Walmart Neighborhood Market will temporarily close in April for renovations.

Rather than fix up the small-format store section by section as the retail giant has done in its past Lowcountry overhauls, the company will completely shut down its 3685 Ladson Road outpost for a “rapid remodel.”

The temporary closing will begin Monday, April 6, Walmart said in a statement. All Walmarts will be closed the day prior in observance of the Easter Sunday holiday.

Walmart said the Ladson store near Jamison Road will remain shut down for four weeks to “refresh and enhance” the customer experience.

“By condensing a traditional remodel project, which could take up to six months, we deliver the next generation of retail to our customers faster than ever before with less customer disruption,” Walmart said in the release.

The updates will include fresh paint and replacing fixtures, signage and lighting to brighten up the environment. Aisles will be expanded with a reconfigured spacier layout. The pharmacy and online grocery pick-up and delivery services will be updated as well, the store said.

During the closure, customers can also follow along on the store’s Facebook page for updates ahead of the remodeling.

In the meantime, the nearest Walmart locations are the Supercenter at 9880 Dorchester Road in Summerville, which is about 3.7 miles away, and the Neighborhood Market at 215 Saint James Ave. in Goose Creek, a little less than 8 miles away.

The Ladson store was the fourth Neighborhood Market in the region when it opened its doors in August 2015. Measuring about 41,000 square feet, it's about a quarter of the size of a traditional Supercenter.

Walmart bought the Ladson Road property from a national real estate investment group in July 2024 for $10.8 million, according to Charleston County real estate records.

Three more earthquakes hit as tremors continue to rattle same part of SC

A flurry of seismic activity continues in South Carolina, where three more earthquakes were recorded overnight.In less than 12 hours from Wednesday to early Thursday, a 1.6 magnitude earthquake was confirmed, then came a 2.5 magnitude earthquake, which was followed by 1.8 magnitude earthquake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.All three of the earthquakes were recorded in South Carolina’s Lowcountry area, the USGS said. The first earthquake was at 4:25 p.m. near Ladson, while just a few miles away in Centerville ano...

A flurry of seismic activity continues in South Carolina, where three more earthquakes were recorded overnight.

In less than 12 hours from Wednesday to early Thursday, a 1.6 magnitude earthquake was confirmed, then came a 2.5 magnitude earthquake, which was followed by 1.8 magnitude earthquake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

All three of the earthquakes were recorded in South Carolina’s Lowcountry area, the USGS said. The first earthquake was at 4:25 p.m. near Ladson, while just a few miles away in Centerville another quake was confirmed at 9 p.m. Wednesday, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division said. More tremors followed at 3:52 a.m. Thursday, according the USGS.

These were the fourth, fifth and sixth earthquakes recorded in the same part of the Lowcountry in a 10-day span, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Geological Survey data shows. Wednesday’s second earthquake was less than half a mile beneath the surface, while the other seismic activity was deeper — with both earthquakes about 3 miles underground, the USGS said.

Early Monday morning, a 1.6 magnitude earthquake occurred near Ladson, while a 2.9 magnitude earthquake occurred near Centerville on Feb. 7, according to South Carolina DNR. A 2.3 magnitude earthquake also was confirmed near Centerville on Feb. 3, South Carolina DNR data shows.

The seismic activity Wednesday and Thursday morning means that eight earthquakes have been confirmed in South Carolina this year.

Prior to the six consecutive tremors in the Lowcountry, the previous earthquake occurring in the Palmetto State happened Jan. 27, when a 2.1 magnitude quake was confirmed near Elgin, South Carolina DNR data shows. That was recorded a week after South Carolina’s first confirmed earthquake of 2026 hit the same area in Kershaw County with a 2.7 magnitude quake.

There were 35 confirmed earthquakes in South Carolina in 2025.

In 2024, there were 30 earthquakes in the Palmetto State, after 28 quakes were recorded in 2023, South Carolina DNR records show.

History of earthquakes in SC

It had been uncommon for earthquakes to hit outside the Midlands area of the Palmetto State, specifically beyond Kershaw County, where 74 earthquakes have been confirmed since the end of June 2022, according to the South Carolina DNR.

That’s also where South Carolina’s most powerful recent earthquakes were recorded on June 29, 2022.

On that day, two earthquakes — one a 3.5 magnitude and the other 3.6 — were included in a flurry of tremors and aftershocks. Those were the two largest quakes to hit South Carolina in nearly a decade. A 4.1-magnitude quake struck McCormick County in 2014.

Anyone who felt tremors and shaking or heard rumbling from Wednesday night’s or Thursday morning’s earthquakes can report it to the USGS.

The most recent earthquake means at least 175 have been detected in the Palmetto State since the start of 2022, according to South Carolina DNR. All but 59 of the quakes have been in the Midlands.

In all, 121 earthquakes have hit the Columbia area since a 3.3-magnitude quake was recorded Dec. 27, 2021, according to the DNR.

The S.C. Emergency Management Division said the majority of the recent earthquakes were classified as a micro quakes, according to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.

No major damage or injuries have been reported from the recent seismic activity or any of the other recent quakes.

Earthquakes that register 2.5 magnitude or less often go unnoticed and are usually recorded only by a seismograph, according to Michigan Technological University. Any quake less than 5.5 magnitude is not likely to cause significant damage, the school said.

It had been typical for South Carolina to have between six and 10 earthquakes a year, the S.C. Geological Survey previously reported. There have been 189 earthquakes in South Carolina since Jan. 18, 2021, according to DNR. During a 2022 town hall to address the earthquakes, state geologist Scott Howard said as many as 200 smaller tremors might have gone unnoticed and unrecorded.

Reported earthquakes in SC 2025-26

Jan. 8/Jenkinsville1.93.0
July 5/Parksville2.711
July 16/Summerville2.21
Aug. 23/Coronaca2.96.8
Aug. 23/Coronaca3.02.1
Aug. 23/Coronaca2.51.3
Aug. 23/Coronaca1.90.1
Aug. 23/Coronaca2.00.3
Aug. 23/Coronaca2.45.4
Aug. 23/Coronaca1.86.4
Aug. 23/Coronaca2.18.0
Aug. 24/Coronaca1.80.4
Aug. 25/Coronaca2.00.4
Aug. 25/Coronaca1.75.5
Aug. 26/Coronaca2.40.3
Aug. 27/Coronaca2.00.4
Sept. 13/Ware Shoals1.70.0
Sept. 26/Coronaca2.25.6
Sept. 29/Kershaw1.812.8
Nov. 9/Centerville1.87.9
Feb. 3/Centerville2.37.7
Feb. 7/Centerville2.95.2
Feb. 11/Centerville2.50.7

South Carolina experiences third minor earthquake in a week near Charleston

The quake was felt by hundreds in the area.LADSON, S.C. — South Carolina felt the ground shake again on Monday marking the third earthquake in less than a week.Saturday night, there was a 2.9-magnitude earthquake near Charleston, 3.7 miles southeast of Centreville, according to the USGS. It was the strongest quake recorded in South Carolina so far this year and it was felt by nearly a thousand people across the Lowcountry and beyond.University of Charleston Professor of Geology Steven Jaume says it was noticeable b...

The quake was felt by hundreds in the area.

LADSON, S.C. — South Carolina felt the ground shake again on Monday marking the third earthquake in less than a week.

Saturday night, there was a 2.9-magnitude earthquake near Charleston, 3.7 miles southeast of Centreville, according to the USGS. It was the strongest quake recorded in South Carolina so far this year and it was felt by nearly a thousand people across the Lowcountry and beyond.

University of Charleston Professor of Geology Steven Jaume says it was noticeable but not unusual.

“It’s kind of in the normal place that we get them,” Jaume said. “It’s just slightly larger than normal. We’ve certainly had bigger ones within the past few years.”

Jaume says there may be an explanation for these earthquakes.

“It appears to be a place where some old faults from about 200 million years ago are being reactivated,” Jaume said. “There are places inside the plates where things are just weaker than the other stuff around it. And then it moves.”

This quake was the third minor earthquake in South Carolina in less than a week in the Ladson and Summerville area, raising concerns about whether a bigger one could be coming. Jaume says clusters like this aren’t unusual and don’t automatically signal danger.

“If they kept feeling them for three, four, five days in a row, then I might get a little concerned,” Jaume said. “But one or two days that’s not out of the ordinary.”

Earthquakes here can feel stronger and be felt over a wider area even when they’re smaller.

“Here in the eastern part of the US, the crust is colder and and harder, and it transmits the seismic waves a lot better," Jaume said. "When you go out West, it's a lot more warmer and more fractured."

If you feel shaking, drop, cover, and hold on and stay away from windows.

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