South Carolina Specific

How Long Does Divorce Take in South Carolina?

South Carolina has a mandatory waiting period of None (fault) / 12 months separation (no-fault). Uncontested divorces typically take 2–4 months after the waiting period. Contested cases can take 1–3+ years depending on the issues involved.

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Key Facts

Waiting period

None (fault) / 12 months separation (no-fault)

Residency requirement

3–12 months

Divorce type

Fault & No-Fault

Filing fee

$150–$200

The South Carolina Divorce Process

Meet residency requirements

You or your spouse must have lived in South Carolina for 3–12 months before filing.

File the divorce petition

One spouse files the petition with the court and pays the filing fee ($150–$200). Fee waivers available for low income.

Serve your spouse

The other spouse must be formally served with divorce papers. They then have a set time (usually 20–30 days) to file a response.

Exchange financial disclosures

Both spouses must disclose all income, assets, and debts. This is mandatory and cannot be skipped.

Negotiate or litigate

If you agree on everything, submit a settlement. If not, try mediation first. If mediation fails, the case goes to trial.

Final judgment

Once all issues are resolved and the None (fault) / 12 months separation (no-fault) waiting period has passed, the judge signs the final judgment and your divorce is complete.

Tips to Speed Up Your South Carolina Divorce

✓Complete financial disclosures quickly and thoroughly — delays here waste the most time

✓Consider mediation before litigation — faster, cheaper, less adversarial

✓Agree on as much as possible before hiring attorneys

✓Be organized — gather financial documents yourself

✓Be realistic about what you want — fighting over small items costs more than they're worth

Every situation is different

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Legal Disclaimer: This article covers South Carolina divorce law for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always consult a licensed South Carolina family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.