New Rules for Rules… to Show Cause

The South Carolina Supreme Court recently issued its revamped procedures for enforcing domestic relations orders.  The South Carolina Rules of Family Court, Rule 14 governs what are known as Rules to Show Cause which are proceedings brought by DSS, the Clerk of Court, or a Party to a case alleging another party to the case willfully failed to abide by the Court’s order and should be held in contempt.  If one is held in contempt punishments may range from a $1,500 fine, 300 hours of community service, or up to a year in jail.

If you find yourself on the wrong end of one of these proceedings you will need to demonstrate to the Court that you were unable to abide by the Court’s order.  This usually means showing you are, or were, unable to pay child support, alimony, your child’s medical bills or any other obligation imposed upon you by a court order.  To do this you should arrive at the Courthouse punctually and armed with a completed, notarized financial declaration supported by pay stubs as well as any other information you have that may be relevant to your inability to abide by the Court’s order.

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