South Carolina Lawyers Weekly

Aug 3, 2026

COA: Husband can’t escape alimony by citing future retirement

The South Carolina Court of Appeals largely upheld a family court‘s divorce judgment resolving disputes over alimony, equitable distribution of real estate, and retirement assets, while modifying the order […]

Jul 8, 2026

GPS search unconstitutional, but robbery conviction stands

Although police violated the defendant’s Fourth Amendment rights by obtaining GPS location data from his private bond company without a warrant, the error was harmless because overwhelming independent evidence […]

Jun 18, 2026

Criminal Practice – Stand-Your-Ground Law – Evidence of Subsequent Suicide Attempt

Defendant was not entitled to stand-your-ground immunity because evidence showed he returned to the scene armed after threatening the victim, failed to establish self-defense, and was properly subjected to the […]

Jun 9, 2026

COA grants immunity in Myrtle Beach ‘stand-your-ground’ shooting

Sufficient evidence supported findings that the shooting was justified under the state’s Protections of Persons and Property Act, the South Carolina Court of Appeals ruled, affirming a trial court’s decision […]

Jun 9, 2026

Public Utilities – Public Service Commission – Submetering Infrastructure

Because tenants received service through municipal utilities and Respondents’ involvement was limited to a billing function, substantial evidence supported the Public Service Commission’s findings. Strata Audubon and Strata Veridian are […]

Jun 9, 2026

Real Property – Restrictive Covenants – Non-Residential or Commercial Activity

Saad Holdings’ use of property to access docks was lawful under the restrictive covenants, and speculative concerns or extreme interpretations advanced by the homeowners could not justify equitable relief. We […]

May 27, 2026

Tort/Negligence – Emotional Distress Damages for Harm to Pets – Personal Property

Emotional distress damages are not available for harm to pets, as they are legally considered personal property, while leaving open the possibility of recovering other property-related damages. We affirmed partial […]

May 27, 2026

Criminal Practice – Guilty Plea Via Webex – Remote Proceedings During the Pandemic

Petitioner was effectively denied counsel during his coronavirus-era Webex guilty plea, making his plea counsel’s performance constitutionally ineffective. We reversed the denial of post-conviction relief (PCR) . Petitioner, who pleaded […]

May 27, 2026

Contract – Construction Contract – Foreclosure

Appellant unjustifiably breached a construction contract for his custom home, and we rejected his claims of negligence, fraud, SCUTPA violations, and breach of fiduciary duty. We affirmed the judgment in […]

May 22, 2026

Spouses may seek stalking orders in magistrate courts

The South Carolina Court of Appeals held that magistrate courts retain jurisdiction over stalking and harassment restraining order requests between spouses, even when a divorce action is pending in […]

Mar 10, 2026

Municipal – Settlement Agreement – Town’s Governmental Authority

We affirmed summary judgment voiding a settlement agreement requiring Respondent Town of Sullivan’s Island to implement and perpetually maintain a vegetation-thinning plan on accreted land, holding the agreement unlawfully bound […]

Mar 6, 2026

Domestic Relations – Alimony Award – Inclusion of Vested Restricted Stock Units in Income

The Court reversed the family court‘s alimony award to Wife, while affirming the inclusion of Husband’s vested RSUs in income for child support and the denial of attorneys’ fees. The […]