South Carolina Divorce and Dissolution Resources: Know Your Next Step
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A South Carolina divorce is filed in the Family Court, and the paperwork you start with depends on whether you have minor children together and whether there is property to divide.
South Carolina's core family statutes live in the South Carolina Code Title 20 - Domestic Relations. In South Carolina, online filing is not open to a parent without a lawyer, so family papers are filed on paper with the clerk. The official sources below cover the petition documents, the statewide forms collection, and the court's own filing instructions.
Official South Carolina divorce resources
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South Carolina family law forms (official index) (South Carolina judicial branch): The official statewide collection of South Carolina family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.sccourts.org/forms
South Carolina court self-help resources (South Carolina courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own South Carolina family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.sclegal.org
SC Judicial Branch E-Filing (SC Judicial Branch): South Carolina's e-filing is for licensed attorneys only, and Family Court uses a separate attorney-only portal. If you are representing yourself, file your papers on paper with the Clerk of Court in your county. https://www.sccourts.org/e-filing-for-attorneys/
South Carolina official filing information (South Carolina judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in South Carolina and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://www.sccourts.org/
South Carolina financial affidavit and disclosure forms (sccourts.org): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most South Carolina family cases ask both sides to complete. https://www.sccourts.org/forms/
South Carolina mediation and dispute resolution (South Carolina judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a South Carolina family case without a trial. https://www.sccourts.org/adr
Verified official South Carolina divorce documents
These official documents cover starting a divorce, responding to one, settling, and the final orders. Requirements vary by county, so confirm the packet with your clerk before filing.
Complaint for Divorce (Self-Represented) (SCCA400.02), form SCCA400.02SRL-DIV (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://sccourts.org/media/forms/pdf/SCCA400.02SRL-DIV.pdf
Defendant's Answer (Self-Represented) (SCCA400.05), form SCCA400.05SRL-DIV (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://sccourts.org/media/forms/pdf/SCCA400.05SRL-DIV.pdf
Summons (Family Court) (SCCA-401F), form SCCA-401F (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.sccourts.org/media/forms/pdf/SCCA401F.pdf
Final Order of Divorce (Self-Represented) (SCCA400.10), form SCCA400.10SRL-DIV (Final Judgment / Final Orders), official document: https://sccourts.org/media/forms/pdf/SCCA400.10SRL-DIV.pdf
Official link data for South Carolina was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file for divorce in South Carolina?
In the Family Court that serves the county where you live. In South Carolina, online filing is not open to a parent without a lawyer, so family papers are filed on paper with the clerk.
How much does it cost to file a family case in South Carolina?
Divorce filing fee: ~$150. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.
Do I need a lawyer to file a South Carolina divorce?
No. South Carolina publishes its family law forms for people representing themselves, and the self-help resources on this page exist for exactly that. A consultation still makes sense when there is a business, a pension, or a serious safety issue in the case.
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