An accusation is a claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal. And when you make them in a courtroom, the judge takes them seriously. If you have been a victim of domestic violence or your children have been subject to abuse, tell this to your lawyer. Your attorney will devote an extensive amount of time learning about you and the specifics of your case. Get these details out early because your lawyer Read More

There is a lot of misinformation regarding DUI (driving under the influence) charges. A lot of it may stem from how prevalent alcohol consumption is. There is not a complete prohibition against driving after drinking, however it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle in South Carolina if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs or a combination of the two and your ability to drive is materially and appreciably Read More

If you plan on entering into the divorce process, you should have a firm understanding of what constitutes adultery. Some people may dismiss the risk of adultery because they choose to end their marriage for reasons other than adultery. If that is the case, why do you need to understand it? In South Carolina, adultery can affect many aspects of a divorce even if it is committed after separation.  That is a critical Read More

South Carolina does not recognize the term “legally separated.” That can be confusing to some people, especially when they discover that to obtain a no-fault divorce, you have to live separately for one year.  The laws that govern separation and divorce are unique to each state. For example, North Carolina does recognize legal separation. Many of the couples that live under that heading are doing so because they must Read More

A military divorce is the dissolution of a marriage in which one or both people are serving (or have served) in the military. At the heart of the process is the need to take two people, who have legally combined aspects of their lives, and to return them to two separate parties.  Family law attorneys who are not accustomed to dealing with members of the military and their unique assets such as pensions and health Read More

The importance of understanding this issue is two-fold. Not only do you need to know what to do if your former spouse takes your children without consent, but you need to protect yourself from being accused of parental kidnapping as well. Imagine that you live in South Carolina, and you are in the middle of the divorce process. If you take your children across state lines and into North Carolina to visit a family Read More

What happens when you get charged with a crime in a state you don’t live in? Do you still have to face the charges? Does that state even have the jurisdiction to charge you? At Cate & Brough, we often face issues where someone was charged in South Carolina but lives halfway across the country in another state. States have jurisdiction over any crimes that happen within their state. For instance, if two men get Read More

The definition of a property crime in South Carolina is fairly straightforward. Referred to by state law as “crimes against property,” these offenses involve the theft or destruction of someone else’s property. Many property crimes are prosecuted in accordance with the dollar value of the stolen or destroyed property. In other words, the greater the monetary value of the property, the more severe the penalties will Read More