South Carolina
South Carolina Alimony Calculator
South Carolina's alimony statute (S.C. Code §20-3-130) allows five types of alimony and, like Georgia, still permits permanent periodic alimony for appropriate cases. The statute contains an absolute bar: a spouse who committed adultery cannot receive alimony under any circumstances — there is no judicial discretion to override this rule.
Estimate accuracy for South Carolina: Benchmark range — SC amount is fully discretionary; adultery is an absolute bar to receiving alimony.
Legal authority: S.C. Code Ann. §20-3-130
Alimony questions in South Carolina
What are the types of alimony in South Carolina?
South Carolina recognizes: permanent periodic alimony (ongoing, modifiable), lump sum alimony (fixed total, non-modifiable), rehabilitative alimony (while retooling for employment), reimbursement alimony (repays contributions to the other's career), and separate maintenance (for separated but not yet divorced couples).
Does adultery bar alimony in South Carolina?
Yes, absolutely. Under §20-3-130(A), a court may not award alimony to a spouse who committed adultery before the earliest of: the signing of a formal separation agreement, or entry of a permanent order of separate maintenance. There is no exception — unlike some states that allow a "manifest injustice" override.
What factors does South Carolina use for alimony?
Courts consider 13 factors including: duration of the marriage, physical and emotional condition of each party, educational background, employment history, earning potential, standard of living, current and reasonably anticipated earnings, current and anticipated expenses, and marital misconduct or fault.
Can South Carolina alimony be permanent?
Yes. South Carolina still awards permanent periodic alimony for long marriages or cases where the recipient cannot become self-supporting due to age, health, or other circumstances. Permanent alimony terminates upon remarriage of the recipient, death of either party, or a finding of continued cohabitation.
Calculator — South Carolina pre-selected
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