South Carolina Divorce Forms — Complete Guide (2026)
South Carolina Family Court forms are available free at sccourts.org/selfhelp. The site provides standard forms for the entire divorce process.
Where to Get South Carolina Divorce Forms
Primary source: sccourts.org/selfhelp → Family Court → Divorce
All forms are available as fillable PDFs. Some counties may have local supplemental forms — check your county's Family Court website.
Core Forms — All Divorces
| Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Summons for Divorce | Notifies Respondent of the filing |
| Complaint for Divorce | The initiating pleading — states ground, residency, separation date, and requested relief |
| Verification | Plaintiff swears under oath that the Complaint is true — must be notarized |
| Affidavit of Residence and Separation | Sworn statement confirming residency requirement and 1-year separation (or fault ground) |
| Acceptance of Service | Respondent signs to acknowledge receipt — avoids formal service |
| Answer | Respondent's response to the Complaint |
| Final Decree of Divorce | The judgment — signed by the Family Court judge |
Financial Declaration — Both Parties Required
The Financial Declaration is required from both parties in all South Carolina Family Court cases. It must be filed before the final hearing.
Required disclosures:
- Monthly gross income (wages, self-employment, investment income, rental income, alimony, etc.)
- Monthly expenses by category (housing, utilities, food, transportation, insurance, child-related, etc.)
- All assets: real property (with estimated value and mortgage balance), bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement accounts, vehicles, personal property
- All liabilities: mortgage balances, car loans, credit cards, student loans, other debts
- Identification of assets as marital or separate (non-marital)
Both parties' Financial Declarations must be completed and filed with the court. Exchange them before the final hearing.
Settlement Agreement / Separation Agreement
South Carolina does not have a single court-issued Settlement Agreement form — parties draft their own. The SC Courts self-help site provides guidance and templates.
The Settlement Agreement must address:
- Division of all marital property (real estate, accounts, retirement, vehicles, personal property, business interests)
- Separate property confirmed to original owner with other party's waiver
- All marital debts assigned; indemnification
- Alimony (amount, duration, termination events) — or written waiver
- Remember: Adultery bars alimony in SC
- If children: legal custody, physical custody, parenting time, child support, health insurance, extraordinary expenses
Both parties must sign before a notary.
Forms With Children
| Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Parenting Plan | Legal custody, physical custody, and parenting time schedule |
| Child Support Guidelines Worksheet | Calculates child support per SC DSS guidelines |
| Income Withholding Order | Directs employer to withhold child support from paycheck |
Deed Recording After Divorce
Real estate transferred pursuant to a divorce must be recorded with the county Register of Deeds:
- Prepare a General Warranty Deed or Quit Claim Deed (Quit Claim is standard for divorce)
- Leaving spouse signs and notarizes
- Record at the county Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located
- Pay recording fees ($15–$50)
- South Carolina does not impose deed recording tax for transfers incident to divorce — verify with your county
South Carolina Child Support Guidelines
South Carolina uses the Income Shares Model — both parents' incomes are used to calculate the basic support obligation.
Key factors:
- Both parents' monthly gross incomes
- Number of children
- Child care costs
- Health insurance premiums paid for the child
- Standard of living during the marriage
Online calculator: SC DSS Child Support Calculator at scdss.sc.gov.
Duration: Child support in South Carolina typically ends at age 18 (or when the child finishes high school, if still enrolled at 18 — check current statute).
Last reviewed: March 2026 | sccourts.org/selfhelp | Financial Declaration required from both parties | Settlement Agreement drafted by parties | Register of Deeds for property recording
Written by the SoLongSoulmate.com Editorial Team
Researched using official state court websites, state statutes, and legal aid resources. All filing fees and procedures verified March 2026. This is general legal information — not legal advice.
Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.