Business Details
10 Years
experience
Charleston Family Law Attorneys | The Peck Law Firm
The Peck Law Firm is a dedicated family law practice specializing exclusively in divorce, child custody, and related legal matters. With over 55 years of combined experience, our team of attorneys provides personalized representation to clients navigating the complexities of family law in South Carolina. We prioritize client needs by offering free initial consultations, tailored legal strategies, and comprehensive support throughout the divorce process. Our focus on family law enables us to deliver specialized expertise in property division, alimony, child support, and custody arrangements.Recognized as the largest divorce law firm in the Lowcountry, we maintain offices in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and Summerville to serve clients across Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. Our approach combines compassionate advocacy with a commitment to achieving equitable outcomes while minimizing emotional and financial strain. We emphasize transparent communication, proactive problem-solving, and client education to empower informed decision-making during challenging transitions.
Services
Divorce Representation
Child Custody
Alimony Guidance
Property Division
Legal Separation
Paternity Cases
DSS Defense
Domestic Violence
Grandparent Rights
Divorce Settlements
Details
- Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
- We exclusively handle divorce and family law cases for focused expertise
- Over 55 years of combined experience in South Carolina family law
- Largest divorce law firm in Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, and Summerville
- Offer free initial phone consultations with direct attorney access
- Maintain 150+ positive Google and Facebook reviews from satisfied clients
What people say
Professional and smooth
Thorough and expeditious
Team you can trust
Personalized legal solutions
Compassionate advocates
Services
Divorce Representation
Our firm provides comprehensive divorce representation for uncontested and contested cases. We guide clients through South Carolina's residency requirements, no-fault divorce procedures, and fault-based grounds for dissolution. Our attorneys protect client interests in property division, spousal support, and post-divorce modifications while prioritizing emotional well-being and financial stability throughout the process.
Child Custody
We advocate for favorable child custody arrangements based on the child's best interests standard. Our services include developing parenting plans, addressing decision-making authority, and negotiating visitation schedules. We handle contested custody cases involving domestic violence, relocation requests, and modification of existing orders while emphasizing children's emotional needs during transitions.
Alimony Guidance
Our firm offers strategic guidance on alimony determinations considering South Carolina's 15 equitable distribution factors. We represent clients seeking or contesting periodic, lump-sum, or rehabilitative alimony while addressing tax implications and financial impacts of marital misconduct. Our approach balances legal requirements with clients' post-divorce financial realities.
Property Division
We handle complex property division cases involving marital estates, business valuations, and retirement accounts. Our services include tracing separate property, addressing asset commingling, and negotiating equitable distribution agreements. We employ specialized software for accurate valuation of real estate, investments, and professional practices during divorce proceedings.
Divorce Settlements
Our firm specializes in achieving favorable divorce settlements through mediation and collaborative law. We focus on protecting client interests in child support calculations, custody arrangements, and property division while minimizing courtroom conflict. Our experience with 90% of Charleston divorces being settled out-of-court informs our strategic negotiation approach.
People
Kristina L. Jarvis
Attorney
Kristina Jarvis provides expert family law representation with a focus on compassionate client advocacy. She combines legal expertise with practical guidance to help clients navigate divorce and custody matters while prioritizing their emotional well-being and future stability.
Kathleen Ferri
Attorney
Kathleen Ferri brings extensive family law experience to her practice, focusing on protecting client rights in divorce and child custody cases. She emphasizes clear communication and strategic problem-solving to achieve favorable outcomes for clients facing complex family law challenges.
Questions
What are South Carolina's residency requirements for divorce?
At least one spouse must reside in South Carolina for three months if both live in-state, or one year if only one spouse resides here. Filing must occur in the county where the couple last lived together.
Does South Carolina allow no-fault divorce?
Yes, South Carolina permits no-fault divorce after one year of continuous separation. This requires either testimony or affidavit verification from the petitioner and third-party witness confirmation of the separation period.
How does property division work in Charleston divorces?
South Carolina uses equitable distribution principles considering 15 factors including marriage duration, marital contributions, and separate property. Courts aim for fair but not necessarily equal asset division while protecting nonmarital assets from allocation.
What factors determine child custody in Mount Pleasant?
Courts consider the child's best interests, parental capacity, home stability, and any abuse history. While older children's preferences may be considered, no single factor determines custody arrangements in South Carolina family court.
How are attorney fees structured for divorce cases?
Our firm offers mid-range hourly rates with flexible payment options including credit cards. We discuss cost control strategies upfront to help clients manage legal expenses while maintaining quality representation throughout their case.
Can I modify existing child custody orders?
Yes, modifications require demonstrating substantial changes in circumstances affecting the child's best interests. Our attorneys help clients seek or contest modifications to custody arrangements based on evolving family situations.
