Legal Question in Family Law in South Carolina

My wife is extremely jealous and verbally abusive. For years I've been forced to sleep on the couch while my 23 year old daughter sleeps with her in our bed. I can't drive my own car, am forced to sit in the back seat while my adult children sit in the passenger side. She handles all the finances, I'm not allowed to take any money out only what she gives me. A female dispatcher/co-worker texted me about where and when to work because it's her job and my wife lost it. She called/texted work so many times I almost lost my job. She has thrown things at me and it's getting really bad at home. I have two grown children that now attack me like she does, even sent me pictures on Christmas of my clothes they're cutting up. What are my rights? She told me to leave 2 weeks ago. I did and feel safe. Now she tells me to go home and I don't want to. She threatened to have her violent family members come after me if I didn't listen to her. She said she has plans for me, will tell others I abandoned her, I have no access to finances so I don't know what she's saying I owe. Would filling for separation protect me till I get a divorce? I live in SC. Please help.


Asked on 12/26/13, 7:31 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Ben Stevens The Stevens Firm, P.A. Family Law Center

Filing for a separation or divorce will give the Family Court the ability to allocate your assets/debts and (most importantly for you) issue a restraining order to prohibit her from harassing you. If she were to violate any terms of that Order, you could file a contempt action and she could possibly be incarcerated if it were to continue.

These are complex issues, and it is important that they be handled correctly. Therefore, it is important that you consult an experienced family law attorney to find out what options are available to you based on the facts of your particular case.

If you need more information, you can our website (www.SCFamilyLaw.com). I wish you the best of luck.

Ben Stevens

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Answered on 12/26/13, 8:16 am


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