- Divorce
- Child SupportIn all cases in which child support is an issue, the family court considers the child support guidelines in South Carolina. As a result, t is important to hire a divorce attorney in Myrtle Beach, SC who is knowledgeable about child support guidelines. The guidelines are based on the idea that a child should receive the same financial support that they would have received if the parents were still living together. According to the court case of Mitchell v. Mitchell, the family court should consider the following factors when establishing child support: both parent’s income, the ability to pay child support, education, expenses, and assets and the facts and circumstances of each case. Also, whether or not the medical insurance or childcare is an expense will also come into play when calculating child support. The children should have the same standard of living they would have had if the parties were still together.
- Child Custody and VisitationIf a couple decides to seek a divorce, and do not meet any of the fault-based grounds, they may still pursue a no-fault divorce by remaining continuously separated for more than one year. Once the parties separate, meaning one of the parties actually vacates the marital home into another residence, the clock begins to run. No action is required to be filed during the separation. During this year, the parties often enter into a separation agreement and/or file an action for separate support and maintenance. A separation agreement is a contract between the two parties in which they agree on a variety of issues, such as child custody, visitation, property distribution, and support arrangements. These agreements are normally filed with the family court during the final action. However, parties are not always able to enter into an agreement, and as a result, a temporary hearing may be required for the family court to settle matters in dispute.
- Premarital AgreementHolmes and Cruise reached a settlement very quickly, likely due to reports that Cruise had Holmes sign an iron clad prenuptial agreement before they were married. Prenuptial agreements address property distribution, distribution of other assets as well as alimony. It appears that Holmes did not try to have the prenuptial agreement set aside, but in fact decided to file for sole custody of their daughter. Prenuptial agreements do not address child custody or child support.
- Spousal SupportTo determine if you are eligible for alimony, contact The Mace Firm and speak with one of our divorce lawyers. We handle divorce cases in many areas of South Carolina, including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, and Charleston. Our lawyers have years of experience in this field, and are able to give your case the kind of personal attention you need and deserve.
- Legal SeparationEven if you are unable to obtain a divorce because you have not satisfied any of the potential grounds for divorce, you still have other options. While South Carolina does not recognize a legal separation, there is a similar type of action known as Separate Support and Maintenance. This action is governed by the same guidelines as divorce. It allows the family court to resolve all the issues that could be resolved in a divorce action (
- Criminal DefenseAs founder of The Mace Firm, Russell Mace is a criminal defense lawyer who has been defending individuals and companies in federal court throughout the United States for many years. Read more...
- DUI/DWIEvery year dozens of people are injured or killed by drunk drivers and Myrtle Beach DUI Related Deaths are very common. Drunk driving is defined as driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, or driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a reckless choice, and results in thousands of deaths every year in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 32,885 people died in traffic crashes in 2010, including approximately 10,228 people who died in drunk driving crashes. This accounts for 31% of traffic fatalities. In 2011, there were 314 alcohol-related deaths in South Carolina.
- Wrongful DeathSouth Carolina wrongful death attorneys are very experienced in handling these horrible cases, both in South Carolina and other jurisdictions. We have attorneys the have passed the bar in South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia should you need a wrongful death lawyer in any of those jurisdictions. A wrongful death claim occurs when a person or entity negligently or intentionally causes the death of another person. The party that caused the death may be subject to liability for financial losses that resulted from the death. These damages may include medical and funeral expenses as well as lost earnings, care, and other financial support that the deceased would have provided in the future. There are a variety of circumstances that may lead to wrongful death, such as...
- Traffic Violations
- FraudThe government can bring charges for bankruptcy fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 151. Although bankruptcy fraud is often committed in combination with other types of fraud, most of our clients say that it was an act of desperation. They did not want to be left without any resources, assets, or financial stability. Being convicted of bankruptcy fraud can only make the situation worse due to the court fees, fines, and restitution associated with the charge. However, bankruptcy fraud is often very difficult to prove. The government has to show that the individual knowingly misrepresented and/or omitted a material fact.
- Robbery
- White Collar CrimesWhite collar crime is a financially motivated, nonviolent crime committed for illegal monetary gain. A few years ago, defendants were reassured that they would receive a minimal sentence for their white collar crime, and in some cases, a sentence of probation or supervised release. However, due to the increase in the amount of white collar crimes across the United States, many white collar defendants are now subject to prison terms for any conviction. White collar crime has went from a small infraction to a heavily indicted federal offense.
- Theft
- Embezzlement
- Drug CrimesDrug trafficking involves the movement of illegal drugs or controlled substances from one location to another with the intent to unlawfully sell, distribute, or deliver. It can occur within a state’s borders, across different states, or from the importation of illegal drugs into the country. A federal indictment will usually be issued when the trafficking involves movement across state borders because it is considered to be an effect on interstate commerce. There may also be circumstances where you never actually possess the drugs, but you are still charged under a drug trafficking indictment. This is usually possible with something known as a conspiracy claim. Under a conspiracy allegation, you are held accountable for the activity that your co-conspirator performed in furtherance of the conspiracy.
- AssaultAltercations often occur at nightclubs, and may result in injury. In this case, if the shooter had injured someone, he could have been charged with attempted murder, assault and battery with intent to kill, possession of a firearm, and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. Even though nobody was hurt in this case, the shooter could also have been charged with pointing and presenting a firearm, discharging a firearm in public and disorderly conduct. It would be important to contact a criminal lawyer in Myrtle Beach, as these charges are serious.
- MurderThe morning of the 28th is when Julie’s mother called police because she was worried that she could not reach Julie or the children. Knowing the mental state Julie was in at that time, Julie’s mother wanted the police to drive by the home to check on everyone. When police arrived at the home, they found Julie on the back porch covered in blood and unresponsive. They woke her up and placed her under arrest; she had admitted to the officers that she killed the children because they “talked back and were mouthy.” Julie had shot the teens with a.38 revolver that she purchased five days prior to the incident. Less than a month later, Julie was indicted by the grand jury for first degree murder. Her husband, now ex-husband, was not supportive of Julie after the murders and filed for divorce.
- Identity Theft
- HomicideMichael Wayne Perritt, 43, has pleaded guilty to the charge of reckless homicide which resulted in the death of 63 year old, Margaret Robbins. On July 1, 2015 Perritt was driving 60 mph on U.S. 501 in a 45 mph zone when he lost control of his vehicle. Perritt’s vehicle traveled across the median into the opposite lane where he then struck Robbins vehicle head on. Robbins passed away at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center on July 17, 2015 due to the injuries sustained from the accident. Perritt was sentenced on March 23, 2016 to three years in prison and is currently incarcerated at J. Reuben Long Detention Center according to WMBF News. The family of Margaret Robbins is now left dealing with the pain of losing her due to the wrongful actions of Michael Perritt.
- Arson
- Restraining OrderA party may appeal a family court judge’s ruling on child custody, visitation, child support, alimony, equitable distribution, restraining orders and most frequently, the award of attorney fees. It is important to note that a litigant who appeals a decree ordering child support or alimony will have to continue making the payments while the appeal is pending in the South Carolina Appellate Court. However, most family court appellate attorneys agree that attorney fee awards and equitable distribution are generally stayed during an appeal.
- Money LaunderingOur South Carolina Lawyers have represented many clients on money laundering cases. Money laundering involves the transfer of monies that are a product of criminal activity. For example, if an individual deposits unlawfully gained funds into a bank account or attempts to pay someone unlawfully gained monies, they may be charged with the federal crime of money laundering.
- Prostitution
- Extortion
- Hit and Run
- Premises LiabilityAmy Raffaldt has been a part of The Mace Firm since July of 2008. She is one of experienced personal injury attorneys. She has handled a variety of injury cases, including wrongful death matters, car accidents, and premises liability cases. She keeps in close contact with her clients and seeks to get them the best result possible. She has litigated and settled cases in the millions for her clients. – More info
- Eminent DomainHas your property been taken by the state or federal government for public use? Our civil litigation attorneys can help. They are highly experienced in eminent domain and condemnation law claims. Our leading civil trial attorney, Russell W. Mace III, has over 15 years of legal experience and was voted as one of the top 100 trial attorneys nationwide. He is aware of the degree of proof needed to establish your condemnation claim. Mr. Mace is familiar with litigating condemnation claims, whether it be negotiating a fair settlement with the government or proceeding to trial. We will fight to help you recover the compensation that you deserve. Contact The Mace Firm for a free consultation at (843) 839-2900 or contact us online.
- Personal InjuryWith personal injury attorneys licensed in South Carolina and Florida, we are all too familiar with the dangers of the water, especially to children. In fact, drowning was one of the top five causes of injury deaths among children in South Carolina.
- Medical MalpracticeMedical malpractice is the failure of a physician to exercise the degree of care and skill that is ordinarily employed by the profession under similar circumstances. Our South Carolina Medical Malpractice Lawyers are continually looking to improve our representation and assist our clients in the different areas of medical negligence. Examples of medical malpractice include...
- Auto Accidents
- Wills
- Bankruptcy
- Tax LawMany times the government will agree to a less charge in order to resolve the case short of trial. Many criminal defense lawyers in federal court can handle any type of tax fraud case. Our Myrtle Beach criminal lawyers are very capable in the representation of individuals and companies related to tax issues.