Family Law Lawyers in Simpsonville, SC

The Law Office of Rhett Burney offers family law services in Simpsonville, South Carolina, providing strong legal support for your family-related matters. Our dedicated family law attorneys are committed to offering clear advice and effective representation throughout your case, whether it is filed in Greenville County Family Court or elsewhere in the Upstate.

We focus on protecting your interests and working toward a fair resolution, whether you need help with divorce, child custody, alimony, or asset division. Our team will guide you through every stage of the process, ensuring your rights are upheld.

Family law can be challenging, but with our support, we aim to make it easier. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you in resolving your family law matters with confidence.

Call us today at 864-689-4482 for an initial consultation.

What Does Family Law Encompass?

Family law includes a wide range of matters that involve families, such as:

A Simpsonville family law attorney from our law firm can provide legal advice on all of these areas and represent you through whatever situation you are in.

Divorce

Getting divorced can be a stressful and emotional time, and our attorneys understand this. We will assist you in understanding the legal divorce process, filing papers, representing you in court, working out any settlement agreements that must be reached prior to divorce proceedings, and more. We provide compassionate advice and support throughout the entire process.

South Carolina allows divorce on fault grounds (adultery, desertion for one year, physical cruelty, or habitual drunkenness) or on the no-fault ground of living separate and apart for one year, under S.C. Code § 20-3-10. Many clients also ask whether it matters who files first for divorce and how long a divorce takes in South Carolina. Learn more on our Simpsonville divorce lawyer page.

Spousal Support

Spousal support, also known as alimony, is financial support that one spouse may be required to pay to the other following a divorce or separation. It is intended to help the lower-earning or non-earning spouse maintain a reasonable standard of living after the marriage ends. In South Carolina, the forms of alimony listed in S.C. Code § 20-3-130 include periodic, lump-sum, rehabilitative, and reimbursement alimony, as well as separate maintenance and support.

Periodic alimony involves ongoing payments, often monthly, that generally end when the supported spouse remarries, continuously cohabitates with a romantic partner for 90 or more consecutive days, or when either spouse passes away, and it can be modified if circumstances change. Lump-sum alimony is a fixed total amount that may be paid all at once or in installments and generally cannot be modified later. Rehabilitative alimony is designed to support a spouse for a set period while they become self-supporting. For more detail, read how long alimony lasts in South Carolina or visit our alimony attorney page.

Child Custody & Support

If you are getting divorced or separating from your partner and there are children involved, it is important to consider making a custody arrangement for them. South Carolina family courts decide custody based on the best interests of the child, and an order may approve a parenting plan, sole custody, or joint custody under S.C. Code § 63-15-240. Our child custody lawyers can help guide you through this process to ensure that the best interests of your child are taken into account. We can also help with disputes over payment for financial support for your child through our child support services.

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

Prenuptial agreements are designed to protect both parties in the event of a divorce or dissolution of marriage. Our family law attorneys can help you understand the implications of entering a prenuptial agreement and discuss its practical applications with you. Married couples can address the same issues through a postnuptial agreement. We will help ensure that your agreement is fair, legally binding, and up-to-date with current laws.

Division of Property

Another important aspect of family law is the division of property in a divorce or dissolution of marriage. South Carolina is not a community property state. Instead, family courts make an equitable apportionment of marital property using the factors in S.C. Code § 20-3-620, as explained in our post on equitable distribution vs. community property. Our attorneys will work hard to help negotiate a fair and equitable settlement that meets both parties’ needs. We can assist you in understanding your rights, making sure all marital assets and nonmarital property are accounted for, and mediating any disputes that arise over the distribution of marital property.

Paternity Issues

In cases where paternity is an issue, our family law attorneys can provide legal advice and assistance during this difficult time. We understand how delicate these matters can be, and we strive to find solutions that protect everyone involved while also respecting applicable laws. Learn more about establishing paternity in South Carolina.

Mediation and Modifications

Many family court cases in South Carolina are resolved through family court mediation, where a neutral mediator helps both sides reach an agreement. After a final order is entered, a significant change in circumstances may justify modifying a custody or support order. Our attorneys can represent you in both situations.

At our law firm, we strive to provide quality legal advice for every situation involving families and relationships. Whether you’re getting divorced, dealing with child custody matters, or need a prenuptial agreement drawn up, we can offer compassionate and knowledgeable assistance.

Why Work With a Simpsonville Family Law Attorney?

Going through a divorce or custody dispute is an emotionally draining process, and it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. A family law lawyer can provide invaluable assistance during this time.

A family law attorney can help you by providing advice and representing your interests in court. We are trained to handle the legal aspects of a divorce, such as filing paperwork, negotiating settlements, and understanding complex laws pertaining to child custody, child support, and even alimony. An experienced lawyer at our firm will also understand how the system works in South Carolina and in Greenville County Family Court, which can give you peace of mind that your rights are being protected.

Litigation can largely be avoided for most divorces. With that being the case, our law firm is also able to provide support during mediation sessions with your spouse or partner. With our negotiation tactics, we will guide you toward a resolution that works for both of you.

Our experienced attorneys know how to handle the sensitive and delicate issues surrounding divorces, such as the division of assets, visitation rights, relocation of children, and more. We will work diligently to make sure your interests are represented in court or during negotiations.

If you’re considering a divorce, talk to a family law lawyer about your options. We understand it can be an overwhelming time, but our compassionate legal team is here to help guide you through it every step of the way. Contact us today for more information on how we can assist you in navigating your divorce proceedings.

What Makes a Good Family Lawyer?

When seeking legal assistance for family law matters, it’s crucial to find a lawyer who listens and understands your unique situation. A strong family lawyer provides clear, tailored advice while offering emotional support throughout the process.

A skilled family lawyer has a deep understanding of relevant laws and regulations, helping you navigate complex legal challenges. They foresee potential issues and offer solutions that protect your rights. Additionally, a good lawyer communicates clearly, ensuring you fully understand the legal process and your options.

At the Law Office of Rhett Burney, we prioritize your best interests, working tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for your case. Our team offers dedicated support, guiding you through the emotional challenges of family law matters. Without proper representation, you may risk losing important rights in divorce or family disputes. We are committed to ensuring your needs are met and your voice is heard. See what past clients say on our reviews and testimonials page.

How Can the Law Office of Rhett Burney Help Me?

With nearly 30 years of experience, attorney Rhett Burney is well-equipped to handle any family law matters you may face. Attorney Burney and our team are dedicated to providing personalized guidance so that you are comfortable with the decisions made for your entire legal process.

We understand how taxing it can be when facing family law issues. That’s why we take the time to listen and assess your needs in order to provide sound legal advice and knowledgeable representation tailored specifically to your situation.

Whether it involves divorce or child custody battles in family court, our lawyers have experience handling complex cases such as asset division, relocation requests, alimony, paternity issues, and more. We view each client as an individual with unique conditions and concerns, and we strive to make sure those are met through creative solutions which provide our clients with peace of mind and great results in the end.

We proudly serve clients in Simpsonville, Greenville, Mauldin, Fountain Inn, Five Forks, and throughout the Upstate. We offer initial consultations for our clients to better understand their needs and to discuss any questions they may have.

Our staff at the Law Office of Rhett Burney are here to help make a difficult process easier for you. We will be your advocate as we strive to achieve the best resolution possible in your family law case.

Family Law FAQs

Is South Carolina a community property state?

No. South Carolina is an equitable distribution state, so marital property is divided fairly, which does not always mean 50/50. Read more about South Carolina’s approach to property division.

Does it matter who files first for divorce in South Carolina?

Filing first can let you shape the timing and the initial requests to the court, but it does not guarantee a better outcome. See our full answer on whether it matters who files first.

How long does a divorce take in South Carolina?

A no-fault divorce requires one year of living separate and apart. Some fault-based divorces can be finalized sooner. Learn more about divorce timelines in South Carolina.

Can a grandparent or other relative get custody in South Carolina?

In some cases, yes. A person who has been a child’s primary caregiver and financial supporter may qualify as a de facto custodian.

Is South Carolina an alienation of affection state?

No. South Carolina does not recognize alienation of affection claims, although adultery can still affect alimony and the divorce itself. Read more about alienation of affection in South Carolina.

Excellent rating
Based on 522 reviews

Rhett Burney is the best attorney, by whom, I have ever had the pleasure of being represented. His staff is focused and dedicated. They found many things to increase my protection in the case; things that I had missed. Their attention to detail and dogged defense won my case easily. I would fully recommend Rhett Burney.

Walter griffith

4 November 2026

Exceptional service

Sammy Rice III

6 October 2026

Hello Everyone I wanted to leave a review from the start to the finish.I recently hired Mr. Rhett Burney to represent me in my child custody modification. It’s deeply involved and the most important thing for me right now and the future is about spending more time with my kids 4&8. To start off the two ladies at the front desk are very friendly and know me by name already and the office is spotless clean and each time I have gone for a consultation they have asked if I need anything like water. I’ve been dealing with Kristi as my paralegal and she is very through and allows me to put things in my own words which I like because I wanna be a part of getting custody of my boys. I’ve spoken to Mr. Burney on numerous occasions and finally met him this week and he sharp, respectful and I really walked out of the office feeling like he truly wanted to represent me and was already on my side. I walked out of the office with my head held high, in great spirit and feeling like someone believes me and this nightmare I’ve been living. On top of all this he & Kristi appear to be two or three steps ahead of me. In our sit down conversation he tried to move me along as to not wanna waste time or bill me for wasted time and money. With that said I don’t feel like they are billing me for wasted time. I truly feel like he’s going to present my case as clearly in court to the Judge as possible and give me the best chance to win and with it being a fair fight I truly feel that my position as a father will be defended. I also realize the end result will be determined my God’s will and the wisdom & understanding of the Judge I’m motivated to keep my kids in my life. The consultation fees and overall representation fees are not cheap but for what’s at steak it’s not crazy. The old truth of you get what you pay for come into play here. If you want the best you have to pay and in 2026 I’m sure there are many attorneys offices that charge more and you get a whole lot less. With all that said I hope we can walk away with a victory and it will be the best amount of money I’ve ever spent and it will be the biggest win of my life. I will eventually add onto this review as the case continues as Mr. Burney stated “this is not a sprint but a marathon”. God bless those who are reading the review and good luck in your search for an attorney but the buck should stop with him & his office.

JOE JACOB

1 October 2026

Worse divorce lawyer he won't even fight for you all he tells you its best to take their offer when you clearly keep telling him no. I felt like I was forced into taking a offer I should have never did only to find out my husband lawyer used to work for mine take my advice go somewhere else

Kayla Carrillo

15 September 2026

I retained Mr. Bernie’s services to help me petition the court for the sale of property instead of waiting the eight month creditors period. His office was slow to respond at all times, I would wait weeks for a return message or not get one at all. Apparently the lawyer, who I never spoke with, is usually out due to medical issues, and his office is falling apart. While I’ve been there they have claimed that the post office lost their mail, and their phones were down at one point , etc. After all this, I got a court date nine days before The end of the eight month waiting period for the sale of the home. Therefore, I didn’t end up needing their services at all and wasted my money and felt taken advantage of during this very difficult period.

Stacy fender

5 August 2026

Unfortunately, I have had less than desirable legal representation from this law firm. I have been working with them for a year, but to no avail. My situation is arguably worse due to the lack of communication and consideration regarding my case. I will be searching elsewhere after feeling unheard, unseen, and overall dismissed when voicing my concerns.

Amber

25 July 2026

Recently completed Wills with the Law Office of Rhett Burney, We were very happy with the process and exceptional service provided by Shelby Flagg and Attorney Fisk.

john martins

16 July 2026

PART TWO They seem to be too busy to remember why you are paying them. Also, they have you sign paperwork where you lose the rest of your retainer of $5000 even if they do not do their job and you want to switch to a different attorneys office in the very beginning when the charges are still very little but you can see that you arn't getting results. They find it very difficult if not impossible to hold POAs or executors accountable. The estate is still not resolved but we feel we are better off without this office. The attorney stated that transparency comes from just having an attorney. Well, I disagree. I'm glad I did not hire them for a divorce or for a criminal case. I would be screwed even worse. If you are looking for an estate attorney, I would recommend that you find an attorneys office where estates is all they do and have a reputation of communicating and follow through. This office charges too much for the little you get and they don't even remember the details of your particular case or focus on what you tell them is a priority. I would give a negative five stars if I could as this was a very very expensive and disappointing experience!

Jim Phillis

2 July 2026

PART ONE This review was slow in coming because life gets very busy. This will be a long review. We were first time users of an estate attorney. We chose this place because they had good Google reviews. We regret it. The very first day, we were told by the attorney that if we retained them that an email would be sent to the estate exectutor requesting proof of the deposit we wanted proof of. This seemed to be an indicator that they were motivated to deliver the results we wanted, so we retained them. No email was sent that day. We hired this office because we felt the need for estate transparency with the priority being 2 months of bank statements for when the power of attorneys were active before my mom passed away because of some shady things that they had already done. We wanted complete detailed transparency of the executor as he had stated that he would not promise to carry out our mom's will and happened to be a good friend of the sneaky power of attorneys. We wanted proof of a particular deposit made by the executor. We told the attorney that our mom's costume jewelry was NOT priority because we would be able to sort that out between us. We had just successfully emptied her whole house between us without mediation. For almost $7,000 we got proof of that one deposit, the magical discovery of an unknown retirement account and the costume jewelry we said wasn't important. The retirement account was revealed because the executor secretly gave the prior power of attorneys the paperwork (they are good friends) and the prior POA's were physically unable to complete the forms due to not having all SSN's needed. They called my sister trying to get the info they needed but she would not comply. So they had no other choice than to turn it over to the attorney if they wanted the money (my other sister and her spouse were the prior POAs). Otherwise, no one would have known about this account including the attorney. The attorneys office wanted more money to move forward after only delivering that much. Another attorneys office said that the initial retainer payment of $5000 was plenty of money to get everything we were asking for. The office manager hung up on me when I was trying to let her know how unhappy we were with so little results. My sister had been mailed a subpoena related to the 2 months of bank statements we wanted not even uploaded to my file that when I inquired I was told by the attorney that it was not being pursued. I was telling the office manager this. Before she hung up on me mid sentence, the office manager said that her office doesn't do that kind of thing. But they did. We asked this office to plead our case for the estate to cover this bill because it was because of the executor' actions we felt forced to get an attorney in the first place. They seemed more focused on being nice to the executor obtained estate attorney than getting what we wanted and they were not capable of making that happen. I don't believe they even explained anything as to why it was being requested. We did not trust this office to pursue anything else as they had had a whole year to produce the 2 months of bank statements we had requested and had indicated that it could be done but did nothing during the estate waiting period to obtain them even after I gave the investigator all of the information they needed. Getting these statements did not need to wait at all as it pertained to the 2 prior months of my mom's passing and while the POA's were in effect. We never got them. Their billing is confusing if you have never had an estate attorney before. They don't initially tell you that the bills are coming from the account they deposited your retainer in. We found that out after being aghast that we were being billed again so quickly. Also, the communication at first had much to be desired but did get a little better with the addition of a new paralegal. This office may be great for other kinds of cases but we definitely would not recommend this office for estate matters. If we could give negative 5 stars, we would!

Lorinda Phillis

2 July 2026

I came in needing help with power of attorney paperwork and a transfer on death deed — topics that can feel overwhelming when you’re not familiar with the legal process. From start to finish, my experience was exceptional. Ms. Leslie Fisk took the time to walk me through everything clearly, making sure I actually understood what I was signing and why. I never felt rushed or confused, and I genuinely felt at ease throughout the whole process. Her attention to detail was impressive — nothing was overlooked. I’m so grateful to have had her help, compassion and thoroughness for something this important. Highly recommend!

Melissa

26 June 2026