Alimony in South Carolina
State-specific overview · Family Law
South Carolina awards alimony based on need and ability to pay, with no statutory formula or durational limits.
How South Carolina treats Alimony
South Carolina courts may order alimony when one spouse lacks sufficient income or property to meet reasonable needs and the other spouse has the ability to pay. The court considers factors including length of marriage, age, physical and mental condition, earning capacity, education, standard of living, and fault (if any) in the divorce. Alimony may be temporary, rehabilitative, or permanent, and the court has broad discretion in setting amount and duration. South Carolina does not prescribe a specific formula or automatic durational limits based on marriage length.
The general definition of Alimony
Court-ordered payments from one spouse to another after divorce or separation.
Alimony is money that a court requires one spouse to pay to the other after they divorce or legally separate. It's designed to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a similar standard of living they had during the marriage. The amount and duration depend on factors like how long the marriage lasted, each person's income and earning ability, and their age and health. Alimony is different from child support, which is specifically for children's needs.
Read the full Alimony entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in South Carolina.