Expertise.com
2024

Last updated:

Best Family Lawyers in Columbia

Our Recommended Top 13

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Columbia Family Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

89

Reviewed

58

Curated

13

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
1406 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Adoption
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

The Gerald Law Firm, P.A., serves clients in Columbia. It handles matters related to family law, such as prenuptial agreements, divorce, child support, and visitation. The firm's adoption practice also focuses on representing the legal interests of the minor child as well as the adoptive, birth, and same-sex adoptive parents. Additionally, it offers estate planning services and drafts living wills. Principal attorney Dennis M. Gerald has been practicing law for over three decades. He is a former South Carolina Council on Adoptable Children board member.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (25)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
1720 Main Street, Suite 202, Columbia, SC 29201

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Nick Mermiges helps Columbia residents deal with family law matters. It assists the parties in simple, complex, fault-based, or military divorce cases in preparing, planning, and executing their separation strategies. Additionally, it helps with asset distribution or concealment, business assessment, the comingling of funds, the dissipation of marital assets, and prenuptial agreements. The firm also handles custody disputes originating from divorce, military deployment, emergencies, and one parent moving out of state. Nick Mermiges has been a lawyer since 2010.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.8 / 5 (44)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (2)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)

Website
1700 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia, SC 29169
  • Postnuptial Agreements
  • Prenuptial Agreements
  • Alimony
  • Child Custody
  • Adoption
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

Moore Bradley Myers responds to the diverse legal needs of families, individuals, and businesses in Columbia. It assists in managing the financial and emotional impacts of divorce, such as child custody, spousal support, and property division. Its lawyers help prepare pre-nuptial and antenuptial agreements and resolve family disputes through mediation. They also provide transactional and litigation services and have over 150 years of combined experience. The firm comprises former prosecutors, judges, Army JAG officers, and business executives.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.3
Google
4.3 / 5 (99)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1803 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

Law Office of Kelly A. Seabrook, LLC, caters to the legal needs of individuals in Columbia. It handles several family law issues such as divorce, property distribution, spousal support or alimony, domestic abuse, name changes, and post-divorce modifications. It also covers agreements for parenting and separation and disputes involving child support and custody, visiting rights, youth abuse, and adoption. Founder Kelly Seabrook has more than 20 years of trial experience in both civil litigation and family law.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.1
Google
4.1 / 5 (24)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2241 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29210
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

Palmetto State Law Group, LLC, has been representing clients in Columbia in various aspects of marriage and family law for over 20 years. Its attorneys deal with divorce, asset division, spousal support and alimony, domestic violence, and child custody and support. They also confer with tax and real estate professionals, therapists, and medical providers to select the right solution for the situation. One of the firm's attorneys, Elizabeth D. Moore, also focuses on estate planning and civil matters.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
3.9
Google
3.9 / 5 (23)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
6300 St. Andrews Rd Suite C, Columbia, SC 29212
  • Adoption
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

Hart & Sercer, LLC, is a legal practice serving clients throughout Columbia. It works to achieve a peaceful solution for families dealing with divorce, legal separation, child custody and support, alimony, and property distribution. It also protects the rights of individuals who have suffered domestic violence. The firm's lawyer, Grady G. Hart Jr., has been practicing exclusively in the Family Court since 1995. His prior career history includes a position in the Richland County Solicitor's Office and the South Carolina Senate.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (18)
Google
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
6923 N. Trenholm Road Suite 201, Columbia, SC 29206
  • Adoption
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

Strom Family Law caters to people in Columbia. Its attorneys have over 50 years of collective experience handling various family law issues, including divorce, adoption, paternity, complex property division, and child custody and visitation. They work on contested, uncontested, military, high-net-worth, and LGBT divorce matters. Its attorneys also assist in creating pre- and post-nuptial agreements and birth record amendments. Its associate, Michelle Boykin Matthew, has written about international child custody disputes and has been featured in Family Law Quarterly.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (20)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
1905 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia, SC 29169
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of R.F. Johnson Jr. is a general practice law firm that works with residents of Columbia. It assists persons who wish to legally live apart from their spouses by assisting with the divorce process and educating them on their alternatives for protecting their rights. It also assists in resolving post-divorce issues such as spousal alimony, child support payments, custody and visitation rights, and post-judgment revisions. Ronald Johnson, the managing attorney, has been practicing law for over 20 years.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.1
Google
4.1 / 5 (17)
Facebook
4.0 / 5 (5)

Website
6156 St Andrews Rd #101, Columbia, SC 29212
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

Hanson Law Firm, P.A., represents residents of Columbia who need family relations solutions. The office handles divorce processes for couples who have begun living apart or have been torn by habitual drunkenness and drug abuse. It resolves matters concerning the division of common assets and the custody of minor offspring. The firm also undertakes adoption proceedings. Practitioner Ken Hanson was part of the Bedford Police Department and took his lawyer's oath in 1977. He taught in the Midlands Technical College's Criminal Justice Department.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.8 / 5 (42)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
712 Richland Street, Suite H, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Catherine Johnson serves families and individuals in Columbia seeking legal services. It provides compassionate support and representation to clients dealing with family issues such as divorce, annulment, child custody and visitation rights, alimony, and division of property. It also provides legal advice and assists in drafting parenting and prenuptial agreements. The law firm strives to help clients throughout the process by offering one-on-one consultations to discuss its client's needs and goals.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (29)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1122 Lady Street, Suite 1103, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Adoption

Why choose this provider?

Building Families is a law firm in Columbia established in 2014. Its founding attorney, Allison McNair, caters to clients regardless of sexual orientation, marital status, or religion, helping them build families through surrogacy and adoption. Her surrogacy services involve drafting and negotiating the gestational carrier agreement and working closely with the couples to obtain a birth certificate and a final parentage. She has also assisted parents in contested, domestic, interstate, stepparent, and foster care adoption.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.8 / 5 (20)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
455 St Andrews Rd., Suite E-1, Columbia, SC 29210
  • Child Custody
  • Alimony
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

The Laubshire Law Firm, LLC, represents individuals and families across Columbia and the surrounding areas. It offers legal guidance to clients who wish to resolve their family law issues involving divorce, domestic violence, and child custody. It helps clients handle rehabilitative, periodic, reimbursement, and lump-sum alimony cases. Founding attorney Michael Laubshire extends his legal services to New York, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia. Michael is a former prosecutor of the 10th Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Google
4.7 / 5 (81)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1332 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Domestic Violence
  • Postnuptial Agreements
  • Prenuptial Agreements
  • Alimony
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

Archer Swearingen serves individuals and families in and around Columbia. It handles family law problems such as contentious and uncontested divorce, child custody and support, visitation rights, property allocation, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and domestic violence protection orders. The legal team aids clients in understanding the legal process, advocates on their behalf, and protects the interests of children if they are involved. Founding attorney A. Reed Swearingen is admitted to practice law in New York and South Carolina.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (21)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What kinds of cases do family lawyers handle?

    Family lawyers handle all types of family-related issues, including divorce, child support and spousal support, custody, adoption, paternity and guardianship. Family attorneys can also handle prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and divide marital assets based on the policies outlined in these documents. Domestic violence cases are also within the purview of family law attorneys.

  • Is family court different from district court?

    In most states, family court is a division of the district court rather than a separate court system. Family law judges primarily preside over family disputes, such as divorce and custody hearings. Most states require family law judges to receive special training on how to best address family law matters.

  • How long do custody cases last in family court?

    The duration of custody cases can differ based on the circumstances surrounding the claim. A case in which parents agree to split custody can be quick, while lawsuits in which both parents or guardians are fighting for full custody can take much longer. Most child custody cases last three to 10 days, but this can vary under more challenging circumstances.

  • Why is there no jury in family court?

    There are no juries in family court cases because the concept of innocence or guilt does not apply. While there may be some cases in which additional opinions could be helpful, most cases are based on the letter of the law versus individual circumstances. Some states, including Texas, permit jury trials for family court cases, but this is uncommon.

  • What are the most common cases in family court?

    Family law covers a variety of different cases pertaining to familial relations. The most common cases in family court include:

    • Divorce cases, including settling issues of alimony, property distribution, and child care
    • Child custody and the determination of paternity
    • Domestic violence protection orders
    • Name changes, including modifications due to adoption or personal preference
    • Guardianship, including who will handle the care of a child or adult should current caretakers be unable to do so
    • Adoptions and the termination of parental rights
    • Juvenile matters, including child abuse and neglect, foster placements, and criminal conduct
    • Emancipation, which is the process of declaring a minor as independent from their parents
    • Approval of underage marriages

  • Do family lawyers handle mediation?

    Mediation can be a valuable part of a divorce case, counseling spouses to work through areas of disagreement in a fair, calm, and unbiased manner. Most, but not all, family lawyers handle mediation. Anyone who believes they may need intervention services is encouraged to ask about an attorney’s experience with resolving disputes, to ensure that support is available if necessary.