Last updated: July 14, 2026
Important note
This guide gives general legal information, not legal advice. Your facts, court papers, county, and deadlines matter. Try to speak with a licensed South Carolina lawyer or legal aid office before filing papers, signing an agreement, missing court, or changing how you follow an existing order.
Bottom line
Start with South Carolina Legal Services if you cannot afford a lawyer for a civil legal problem. Call 1-888-346-5592 or 803-744-9430 from Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or use the online intake. The program screens cases involving family law, housing, benefits, debt, work, health, education, tax, and other civil issues.
Use the South Carolina Judicial Branch court self-help page for official forms and court information. Legal aid cannot accept every case, and an application does not promise a lawyer. Keep working on all court and agency deadlines while you wait for a response.
For a broad overview, use the legal help and safety guide. The South Carolina help page covers food, housing, health care, child care, and other support while a legal issue is pending.
Urgent legal or safety help
Call 911 if you or your children face immediate danger. If abuse, stalking, or sexual violence is involved, use the local survivor programs to find a county advocate. SCCADVASA does not provide direct crisis services, so contact the listed local program for its hotline, shelter, and advocacy options.
If it is safe, speak with an advocate before filing for a protection order. Filing can affect contact, housing, child exchanges, and safety. Use a safer phone or computer if someone may be watching your device. The South Carolina safety guide lists more careful next steps.
If you received eviction papers, a custody notice, a child support summons, a benefits decision, a debt lawsuit, or a wage notice, read every page today. Write down the court, case number, hearing date, and response deadline.
For local shelter, food, transportation, child care, and other support, contact South Carolina 211. Dial 211 or 866-892-9211, or text HELP to 211-211.
Contents
Where to start
You have a court date
Read the papers, note the deadline, and apply for legal help now. Do not wait for a callback before preparing to attend court.
You need a lawyer
Complete South Carolina Legal Services intake. Then check local clinics and the South Carolina Bar for another path.
You need a form
Use official court or LawHelpSC forms. Ask the clerk where to file, but do not ask court staff to choose a legal strategy.
You need basic support
Call 211 for food, rent, shelter, transportation, counseling, and other local help while the legal problem moves forward.
Quick reference
| Problem | First step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Custody or visitation | Apply for legal aid and review court forms | Abuse, relocation, and existing orders can make a case complex. |
| Child support | Apply through DSS Child Support | DSS support services do not handle every custody dispute. |
| Eviction | Request a court hearing and call legal aid | A tenant generally has 10 days after service to request a hearing. |
| Protection order | Contact an advocate and Family Court | A court order is one tool, not a full safety plan. |
| Benefits denial | Follow the appeal notice | SNAP, TANF, child care, and Medicaid use different deadlines. |
| Criminal charge | Ask the court about a public defender | Civil legal aid normally does not provide criminal defense. |
Free and low-cost legal help
South Carolina Legal Services
South Carolina Legal Services provides free civil legal help to eligible low-income residents. The online legal intake asks about your household, income, legal problem, court dates, and other case facts.
Phone intake is available Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 1-888-346-5592 or 803-744-9430. The program does not give legal advice during the intake call. It first gathers facts and decides whether it can offer advice, brief service, representation, or a referral.
Income, assets, case type, funding rules, conflicts of interest, urgency, and staff time can affect whether the program accepts a case. Apply even if you are unsure, but do not assume the office will represent you in court.
South Carolina Bar help
The South Carolina Bar resources include lawyer referrals, legal aid links, public information, and Free Legal Answers. A lawyer-referral appointment is not always free, so ask about the consultation fee and later legal fees before agreeing.
Free Legal Answers
Free Legal Answers allows some income-eligible adults to post a civil legal question for a volunteer lawyer. The lawyer answers online and does not become your full attorney. Do not depend on this service when a court or appeal deadline is close because an answer is not promised by a certain date.
Criminal cases use another path
South Carolina Legal Services handles civil matters, not criminal defense. If you are charged with a crime and cannot afford a lawyer, ask the criminal court about appointed counsel. The Judicial Branch lists public defender offices by circuit.
Official court forms, filing, and fees
Start with the Judicial Branch official court forms. Use the newest form and check whether your county or court has added local filing steps. Court staff can explain where to file, how to pay, and how to obtain copies. They cannot tell you what claim to bring, what facts to write, or whether you will win.
LawHelpSC self-help forms use guided interviews for some common problems. Read the warnings before starting. A form packet may not fit a case involving abuse, contested custody, property, debt, immigration concerns, or another active order.
| Need | Official starting point | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Simple divorce | Simple divorce packets | Make sure your case meets every packet rule. |
| Visitation case | Visitation form packets | Check existing orders and the correct county. |
| Protection order | Protection order forms | Ask an advocate about safety and filing. |
| Other court forms | Judicial Branch form search | Confirm the form number and current version. |
If you cannot pay a filing fee, ask the clerk whether a fee-waiver or indigency process is available for your case. Be ready to provide household income, benefits, assets, and expenses. A judge decides whether a fee is waived.
Custody, visitation, divorce, and child support
Family Court cases can affect where a child lives, parenting time, decision-making, support, and safety. Try to get advice before filing when there is abuse, an out-of-state move, a missing parent, a child with special needs, a disputed father, or an existing order that is not being followed.
Do not rely only on a private verbal agreement if a court order already exists. Ask a lawyer how to request a change. Keep the current order, messages, school records, child care costs, health insurance details, and a clear calendar of parenting time.
South Carolina DSS Child Support Services can help locate a parent, establish paternity, establish or change support and medical support, and enforce payments. Applying is free. A parent who has physical custody may apply even without a formal custody order. Start with the child support application or the secure child support portal.
For case and payment questions, call 1-800-768-5858. Live agents are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., except state holidays. Child support services do not replace a lawyer for custody, visitation, divorce, or protection-order questions.
The South Carolina child support guide explains applications, paternity, payments, and enforcement.
Eviction, repairs, and housing rights
If you are served with eviction papers, South Carolina Legal Services says you generally have 10 days to file an answer and request a hearing in Magistrate Court. Do not count on a phone call to the landlord or a rent-help application to protect that deadline. Contact the court listed on the papers and ask how to file your hearing request.
The South Carolina eviction guide explains that failing to answer or appear can lead to a default. Bring your lease, rent receipts, notices, repair requests, photos, landlord messages, and proof of payments or assistance applications.
For ongoing repair or deposit problems, put requests in writing and save copies. Do not withhold rent or pay for repairs and deduct the cost without first getting legal advice. The law and lease rules can affect what is allowed.
If you believe a landlord treated you differently because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or family status, ask legal aid or a fair housing office about complaint deadlines and proof. Save rental ads, messages, applications, denial notices, and witness names.
The South Carolina housing guide covers rent and shelter programs. Use the South Carolina emergency guide if you also need food, utilities, or a safe place to stay.
SNAP, TANF, child care, and Medicaid appeals
Keep every benefits notice and its envelope. The notice should state what the agency decided, why, when the change starts, and how to ask for a hearing. Take screenshots of online messages and save proof of every document you upload, fax, mail, or deliver.
For SNAP, DSS says you may request a fair hearing about case actions from the past 90 days. Call 1-800-311-7220 or 803-898-8080, or follow the written instructions on the SNAP appeal page. TANF and child care voucher hearings generally use a 60-day request period, but follow the deadline on your own notice.
Medicaid uses a separate process. The Medicaid appeal portal explains how to begin an eligibility or services appeal. Some Medicaid notices allow only 30 days, and a request to continue existing services may need to be made within 10 days. Read the notice carefully because rules can differ by decision and health plan.
The South Carolina SNAP guide, South Carolina TANF guide, and South Carolina health guide provide program contacts while you seek legal help.
| Problem | Save this | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Application denied | Notice, application, submitted proof | Request a hearing by the listed deadline. |
| Benefits cut | Old amount, new amount, notice envelope | Ask whether benefits can continue during appeal. |
| Overpayment claim | All notices, income records, household changes | Get advice before signing an agreement. |
| Missing documents | Upload receipts, fax logs, delivery records | Resend proof and keep confirmation. |
Debt, consumer, discrimination, and wage problems
Debt and consumer complaints
If a collector or business sues you, respond to the court case by its deadline. Filing an agency complaint does not replace a court answer. Keep contracts, bills, collection letters, payment records, screenshots, and the court papers.
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs accepts consumer complaints and may offer voluntary mediation. The agency does not become your private lawyer and cannot decide every private dispute.
Unpaid wages
The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation accepts wage complaints about some unpaid-wage issues. State law does not cover every minimum-wage or overtime claim, so a federal labor office or lawyer may be the correct path for some cases.
Pregnancy and workplace rights
Pregnancy discrimination, workplace accommodations, pumping breaks, leave, and firing can involve state and federal law. Save requests, employer replies, schedules, policies, evaluations, pay records, and the date of each event. The South Carolina workplace guide explains related agencies and next steps.
Legal and financial help for crime victims
If you or your child were harmed by a crime, ask the police, prosecutor, hospital, or local survivor program for a victim advocate. An advocate may explain court updates, victim rights, counseling referrals, protection orders, and compensation applications.
The South Carolina Attorney General’s Crime Victim Compensation program may help eligible victims with certain crime-related costs. It is not automatic. The crime, reporting, injury, application timing, cooperation, insurance, and other rules can affect eligibility.
Do not wait until every bill arrives before asking how to apply. Keep police reports, medical bills, counseling records, insurance statements, work-loss proof, and receipts. A local advocate can help with the application.
Documents and information to gather
You do not need every record before requesting help. Start with any paper that shows the nearest deadline.
- Court summons, petitions, orders, hearing notices, and case numbers.
- Benefit notices, envelopes, portal messages, and upload confirmations.
- Lease papers, rent ledgers, receipts, repair requests, and photos.
- Custody, visitation, divorce, paternity, and child support orders.
- Pay stubs, tax records, benefit letters, bank statements, and monthly expenses.
- Texts, emails, voicemails, letters, screenshots, and witness information.
- Police reports, medical records, safety records, or advocate information when relevant.
Use the documents checklist to label copies and track what you sent. Do not give an original away unless the office requires it and gives you a way to get it back.
If disability affects forms, communication, court access, or benefits, the South Carolina disability guide lists related support paths.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing a deadline. Waiting for legal aid does not pause a court or agency deadline.
- Using an old form. Download a fresh copy from an official or court-approved website.
- Skipping court. Ask the court about the proper process if you cannot attend.
- Signing too quickly. Try to get advice before signing a settlement, consent order, or payment plan.
- Relying on a verbal deal. An existing court order usually stays in effect until the court changes it.
- Posting case details. Social media can affect privacy, safety, and evidence.
If legal aid is full, delayed, or says no
Ask why the office cannot help. The reason may be income, case type, conflict of interest, funding rules, timing, or staff capacity. Ask for another referral and write down the name of the suggested program.
- Check South Carolina Bar legal-help resources.
- Use Free Legal Answers for a narrow civil question if you qualify.
- Ask the court clerk for filing information and official forms.
- Contact a local survivor or housing advocate when that fits the issue.
- Call 211 for local support while the case is pending.
- Keep meeting all court and agency deadlines.
The benefits problem guide gives a simple system for notices, calls, and appeals. The South Carolina community guide lists more local support.
Phone scripts
Calling legal aid
“Hi, I live in [county] and need help with a civil legal problem. The issue is [custody, eviction, protection order, benefits, debt, or wages]. My court date or deadline is [date]. Can you complete intake or refer me to another office?”
Calling the court clerk
“Hi, I have case number [number]. I know you cannot give legal advice. Can you tell me the hearing date, where to find the current form, how to file it, and whether there is a fee-waiver process?”
Calling child support
“Hi, I need help with [applying, paternity, payment history, enforcement, medical support, or modification]. What records should I have ready, and how can I update my phone number or address?”
Calling about benefits
“Hi, I received a notice dated [date] about my [SNAP, TANF, child care, or Medicaid]. I disagree with the decision. What is my appeal deadline, how do I request a hearing, and how can I prove I filed on time?”
Resumen en español
Para ayuda legal civil gratuita en Carolina del Sur, llame a South Carolina Legal Services al 1-888-346-5592, de lunes a jueves, de 9 a.m. a 6 p.m. También puede solicitar ayuda por internet. La oficina no puede aceptar todos los casos.
Si hay peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Para violencia doméstica, acoso o agresión sexual, contacte un programa local por medio de SCCADVASA. Si recibió papeles de desalojo, tiene una fecha de corte o recibió una carta de beneficios, revise la fecha límite de inmediato y guarde copias de todos los documentos.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a free lawyer in South Carolina?
Possibly. South Carolina Legal Services helps eligible low-income residents with many civil legal problems. Income, case type, conflicts, deadlines, funding, and staff capacity affect whether advice or representation is available.
Does legal aid handle criminal charges?
No. South Carolina Legal Services focuses on civil matters. If you face a criminal charge and cannot afford a lawyer, ask the criminal court how to apply for a public defender.
What should I do after receiving eviction papers?
Read every page and contact the Magistrate Court listed on the papers. A tenant generally has 10 days after service to answer and request a hearing. Seek legal help and do not miss the court deadline.
Can DSS help with child support?
Yes. DSS may help locate a parent, establish paternity, establish or modify support and medical support, and enforce payments. Applying for child support services is free.
How long do I have to appeal SNAP?
South Carolina DSS generally allows a SNAP fair-hearing request within 90 days of the disputed action. Other benefits use different deadlines, so follow the instructions and date on your notice.
What if legal aid cannot take my case?
Ask why and request referrals. Check South Carolina Bar resources, Free Legal Answers, official self-help forms, local clinics, advocates, and the court clerk while continuing to meet every deadline.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified July 14, 2026, next review October 14, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.