August 4, 2019
A decade ago, in a blog titled, “Why won’t South Carolina end common-law marriage?,” I expressed my strong dislike of the doctrine by noting, “cases
Hagood opinion establishes important points on transmutation and alimony
July 21, 2019
The July 17, 2019 Court of Appeals opinion in Hagood v. Hagood, 427 S.C. 642, 832 S.E.2d 609 (Ct. App, 2019), establishes important points on
June 26, 2019
One of the biggest mistakes I see my family court colleagues making is forgoing the opportunity to present rebuttal (sometimes called reply) testimony. Rebuttal is
The surprising breadth of res judicata
June 26, 2019
At this point in my career, it’s rare I learn anything significant about legal doctrines from opposing counsels. However, earlier this week, I was completely
Not pleading for a guardian (or discovery)
June 20, 2019
Last week I prosecuted a motion to appoint a guardian ad litem for the child at issue in a custody case (along with requests for
The interaction of the De Facto Custodian statute and the Moore factors
June 13, 2019
There are numerous recurring issues in South Carolina family law that ultimately will need to be resolved by our appellate courts. One of the more
Alimony for the less ambitious spouse
June 7, 2019
On June 6, 2019, I argued an appeal in the Court of Appeals that involved a novel issue that I expect to become increasingly common.
Unpublished Court of Appeals opinion does the unprecedented
May 15, 2019
For the 25 years I have been practicing family law no published South Carolina appellate opinion has approved an award of rehabilitative alimony. While I
