Jenkins Law LLC

09/25/2026

The Final Stretch — Hearings, Orders & How Long It Actually Takes

Here's the step people wait for: the Final Order of Divorce. Until a judge signs it, your marriage is still legally intact — even if you've been to court. ✍️

Along the way, a few things may happen first:

🕐 Temporary orders — for urgent issues like where kids live, who pays bills, or use of the marital home while the case is pending

🔍 Discovery & negotiation — exchanging financial info and trying to reach an agreement outside the courtroom

👩‍⚖️ A final hearing — straightforward for uncontested cases; more involved (evidence, testimony, judge's rulings) if contested
So how long does it take? There's no single answer. SC Family Courts aim to resolve cases within 365 days, but that's a benchmark — not a guarantee. Contested issues, kids, business interests, and asset disputes can all extend the timeline.

Once you have that signed, "clocked" Final Order — keep it. You'll need it for remarrying, name changes, refinancing, retirement accounts, and more.

📖 Catch up with us - https://brianejenkinslaw.com/

Considering filing in South Carolina? Understanding the process before you start can make all the difference. At Jenkins Law LLC, we're here to help you move forward with confidence.

*General information only — not legal advice for your specific circumstances.*

Jenkins Law offers experienced legal representation in personal injury, family, & criminal law - serving clients across South Carolina with dedication and care.

09/23/2026

Served, Contested, or Uncontested?

Here's Where Paths Split

Once a divorce is filed, your spouse (the Defendant) has to be formally served — usually 30 days to respond (35 if by certified mail). 📬

What happens next depends on how they respond:

🤝 They agree → the case can move forward as uncontested — no judge needed to settle disputes

⚖️ They disagree → the case becomes contested, which can mean negotiation, discovery, temporary hearings, mediation, or a trial
And even if you both agree the marriage is over, divorce doesn't automatically sort out everything else.

Depending on your situation, the court may still need to address:
🏠 Property & debt division
👨‍👩‍👧 Child custody & support
💰 Alimony
📄 Attorney's fees

If you're seeking a divorce based on one year of separation, remember: that clock has to have actually run before the divorce is finalized. You can't separate on Monday and expect a final order on Tuesday.

📖 Reach out to us for more - https://brianejenkinslaw.com/

*This is for information only — not a substitute for legal advice.*

Jenkins Law offers experienced legal representation in personal injury, family, & criminal law - serving clients across South Carolina with dedication and care.

09/21/2026

"So You've Decided to File... Now What?"

Filing for divorce isn't the same as being divorced — it's the start of a legal process, not the end of it. 📋

Before anything gets filed in South Carolina, two things have to be true:

✅ Residency — generally, you or your spouse must have lived in SC for at least a year (or 3 months if you both live here)

✅ A legal ground — SC doesn't grant divorces just because a marriage is over. You need a recognized ground, like adultery, desertion, cruelty, or the most common one: living separate and apart for one year (the "no-fault" route)

Once that's established, the Plaintiff files a Complaint for Divorce with the Family Court — kicking off the case.

But here's the part people don't expect: filing the paperwork doesn't mean your spouse has been legally notified yet.
That's Part 2. 👀

Reach out to us for more information - https://brianejenkinslaw.com/

*This is general information, not legal advice for your specific situation.*

Jenkins Law offers experienced legal representation in personal injury, family, & criminal law - serving clients across South Carolina with dedication and care.

09/18/2026

Yesterday was Constitution Day, and I had the privilege of spending it in classrooms across the 6th Circuit.

I started the morning with Mr. Arco and Ms. DeKeef's third grade class at Fairfield Magnet School in Winnsboro, SC. Winnsboro is my hometown, so getting to talk with these students about the Constitution there made the visit feel full circle.

From there I headed to Andrew Jackson High School in Kershaw, SC, where I spoke with students in grades 9 through 12 in Mr. Knight's, Mr. Humphrey's, and Mrs. Richert's classes about the Constitution and what it means to be civically engaged.

It was a great day to get out of the office and represent the SC Young Lawyers Division in the 6th Judicial Circuit. Thank you to both schools for the invitation and to all the teachers who make room for these conversations.

://lnkd.in/p/ecNFSJ_D

08/25/2026

I just finished my final year in the ABA YLD Leadership Academy, and looking back, the whole journey started with a last minute trip to the 2024 ABA Spring Conference in Omaha, Nebraska.

I sat in on the YLD Council meeting and happened to be seated next to Ashley Weathers and Jared Nelson. Jared's encouragement is the reason I applied to the Leadership Academy in the first place. That same meeting is where I met Darnell Barton, Esq. and Valerie Desroches, who later gave me the push I needed to go out on my own as a solo practitioner. They have become lifelong friends. Guidance from Dashawn R. Cason, Esq. was also instrumental in that decision while he and I chatted at the Omaha Zoo.

Then Chair Tamara P. Nash welcomed me with open arms and introduced me to Dani Borel and Brandon Riches, and from there the Leadership Academy became one of the most rewarding and genuinely life-changing experiences of my career.

My Leadership Academy class, NaTonia D. Trammell, Esq., Jehan Senai Worthy, Esq., Donta Dismuke, Alexander Cyr, Brianna Weiner, Esq., and Alex Pearlstein, made the experience what it was, and I owe a lasting debt of gratitude to DeShauna N. Lee, Esq., ACC and Jared Nelson for their guidance, leadership, and friendship along the way.

I just finished my final year in the ABA YLD Leadership Academy, and looking back, the whole journey started with a last minute trip to the 2024 ABA Spring Conference in Omaha, Nebraska. I sat in on the YLD Council meeting and happened to be seated next to Ashley Weathers and Jared Nelson. Jared's e...

08/25/2026

https://lnkd.in/p/egCHsTpG

07/30/2026

2026 ABA Annual Meeting! Time to get to work.

10/24/2025

Did you know our firm handles Personal Injury cases?

For all your Personal Injury queries - contact Brian E. Jenkins Law LLC
803-745-8988
[email protected]

09/26/2025

Accounting for Child Support expenses - Part 2

Reach out to our office for more info - [email protected]

09/16/2025

Something that every family law firm has dealt with - Child Support.
What constitutes it?
How is it Calculated?
And should a record be kept of what it's used for?

We answer these questions in our 2-part post.

Part 1/2