What is a parenting plan in South Carolina?

A parenting plan is the document each South Carolina parent files to describe custody, the allocation of parenting time, and major decisions for their children. It serves parents who are divorcing, parents who never married, and a parent seeking to modify an existing order. South Carolina requires it: each parent prepares, files, and submits a plan, or the parents file jointly (South Carolina Code Section 63-15-220).

What is the difference between a parenting plan and a custody order in South Carolina?

In South Carolina a parenting plan is the written arrangement the parents prepare and file, while a custody order is what the Family Court issues. Because South Carolina requires each parent to submit a parenting plan (South Carolina Code Section 63-15-220), the court reviews the plans and, if it finds an arrangement is in the child's best interest, adopts it as a binding custody order (Section 63-15-240).

What standard do South Carolina courts use to decide custody?

South Carolina courts decide custody by the best interest of the child. The Family Court weighs the factors listed in South Carolina Code Section 63-15-240, which include each parent's ability to meet the child's developmental needs, the child's relationship with each parent, the child's adjustment and stability, the wishes of the child where appropriate, and any history of abuse or domestic violence.

Is a written parenting plan required in South Carolina?

Yes. South Carolina requires a parenting plan. Each parent must prepare, file, and submit to the court a parenting plan, which reflects the allocation of parenting time to be spent with each parent and the major decisions, or the parents may submit a joint plan (South Carolina Code Section 63-15-220). The plan is the document the Family Court reviews before it enters a custody order.

Do I have to attend a parenting class in South Carolina?

South Carolina Family Courts commonly require parents in a case involving children to complete a parenting-education program, but the requirement is administered by the court rather than set as a single fixed statewide class in the statute. Check with the South Carolina Family Court where your case is filed to confirm whether a parenting class applies and how to complete it.

South Carolina Parenting Plan

Q: What are joint custody and sole custody in South Carolina?

In South Carolina joint custody means both parents have equal rights and responsibilities for major decisions concerning the child, including the child's education, medical and dental care, extracurricular activities, and religious training, although a judge may give one parent sole authority over specific identified decisions. Sole custody places those rights and responsibilities with one parent (South Carolina Code Section 63-15-210).

Q: Do the parents have to agree on the South Carolina parenting plan?

No. In South Carolina the parents may submit a joint parenting plan if they agree, but if they do not agree each parent files a separate parenting plan and the Family Court decides custody by the best interest of the child (South Carolina Code Sections 63-15-220 and 63-15-240). Filing your own clear plan matters, because it shows the South Carolina court the arrangement you are asking it to adopt.

A South Carolina parenting plan sets out custody, parenting time, and major decisions that each parent must file with the Family Court under the best interest of the child standard. Attorney review available.

Find out where you stand in South Carolina

What is your situation with the parenting plan?

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Introduction

A parenting plan is the written document each parent files describing custody, parenting time, and major decisions for their children, used by parents who are divorcing, parents who were never married, and parents changing an existing order. In South Carolina custody is either joint custody, where both parents have equal rights and responsibilities for major decisions such as education, medical and dental care, extracurricular activities, and religious training, or sole custody, where one parent holds those rights (South Carolina Code Section 63-15-210). South Carolina is a state that requires a parenting plan: each parent must prepare, file, and submit to the court a parenting plan that reflects the allocation of parenting time to be spent with each parent and how major decisions will be made, and the parents may instead submit a joint plan (South Carolina Code Section 63-15-220). The Family Court decides custody by the best interest of the child, weighing the factors listed in South Carolina Code Section 63-15-240, which include each parent's ability to meet the child's needs, the child's relationship with each parent, stability, and any history of abuse or domestic violence. DocDraft builds your South Carolina parenting plan from your family's schedule, with attorney review available before you file it with the Family Court.

Key Things to Know

1
A parenting plan is a written document that each parent files to describe custody, parenting time, and major decisions for their children, whether the parents divorce, never married, or are changing an order.
2
In South Carolina custody is either joint custody, where both parents have equal rights and responsibilities for major decisions, or sole custody, where one parent holds those rights (South Carolina Code Section 63-15-210).
3
South Carolina requires a parenting plan: each parent must prepare, file, and submit to the court a parenting plan, or the parents may submit a joint plan (South Carolina Code Section 63-15-220).
4
A South Carolina parenting plan must reflect the allocation of parenting time to be spent with each parent and the major decisions, including education, medical and dental care, extracurricular activities, and religious training (Section 63-15-220).
5
The South Carolina Family Court decides custody by the best interest of the child, weighing the factors in South Carolina Code Section 63-15-240.
6
Major decisions under joint custody in South Carolina cover education, medical and dental care, extracurricular activities, and religious training, and a judge may give one parent sole authority over specific decisions (Section 63-15-210).
7
The plan takes effect only when the Family Court approves it under the best interest standard, and any parenting-class requirement in South Carolina is set by the court.

Key decisions before you file

Before you file a Parenting Plan in South Carolina, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Parenting Plan guide walks through them.

Open the Parenting Plan guide

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SOUTH CAROLINA PARENTING PLAN

This parenting plan is filed by [PARENT 1 FULL NAME] and [PARENT 2 FULL NAME], the parents of the child or children named below, and either parent may file a plan or the parents may file jointly. The parents may be married and divorcing, or unmarried, and this plan may also be used to modify an existing custody order. It states custody, the allocation of parenting time, and the major decisions the parents ask the South Carolina Family Court to approve (South Carolina Code Section 63-15-220).

Children covered: [CHILD FULL NAME, DATE OF BIRTH] [ADD EACH CHILD].

Custody and major decisions. Custody will be [joint / sole to PARENT]. The major decisions, which in South Carolina cover the children's education, medical and dental care, extracurricular activities, and religious training, will be [shared with equal rights and responsibilities / assigned to PARENT]. Under joint custody a judge may give one parent sole authority over a specific identified decision while the parents keep equal rights over the rest (South Carolina Code Section 63-15-210).
Allocation of parenting time. The children will primarily reside with [PARENT], and parenting time with the other parent is allocated as follows. Weekdays: [state the weekday allocation]. Weekends: [state the weekend allocation, with the change-over times].
Holidays and observances. The parents allocate holidays this way: [Thanksgiving, the winter holidays, and others, alternating by year or as agreed]. Mother's Day is allotted to [PARENT] and Father's Day to [PARENT]. Each child's birthday: [state].
School recess and summer. Winter and spring recess will be divided [state]. Summer parenting time is allocated as [state, for example alternating weeks or an extended period for each parent], with vacation dates given in writing by [DATE].
Exchanges and transportation. The children are exchanged at [LOCATION] at [TIME], and [each parent / PARENT] provides transportation for [pick-up / drop-off]. A parent more than [NUMBER] minutes late will inform the other parent without delay.
Communication. The children may contact either parent by phone or video at reasonable hours, and the parents will exchange information about the children's medical and dental care, schooling, and activities and keep each other current on address and phone number.
Relocation. A parent who plans to relocate the children a substantial distance will provide written notice before the move so the parents may confer or ask the Family Court to review the allocation of parenting time.
Resolving disputes. Should a dispute arise over this plan, the parents will attempt to resolve it between themselves and then through mediation before returning to the Family Court.

This parenting plan is submitted to the Family Court for approval and is decided by the best interest of the child under the factors South Carolina courts weigh (South Carolina Code Sections 63-15-220 and 63-15-240). For the general template and other states, see the Parenting Plan hub.

Signed: _____________________ [PARENT 1] Date: __________ _____________________ [PARENT 2] Date: __________

South Carolina Requirements for Parenting Plan

Parenting Plan Required
South Carolina requires a parenting plan. Each parent must prepare, file, and submit to the court a parenting plan, or the parents may submit a joint plan (South Carolina Code Section 63-15-220). The plan is the document the Family Court reviews before it enters a custody order.
Joint or Sole Custody
In South Carolina custody is joint custody, where both parents have equal rights and responsibilities for major decisions concerning the child, or sole custody, where one parent holds those rights (South Carolina Code Section 63-15-210). Under joint custody a judge may give one parent sole authority over specific identified decisions.
Best Interest of the Child
The South Carolina Family Court decides custody by the best interest of the child, weighing the factors listed in South Carolina Code Section 63-15-240, which include each parent's ability to meet the child's needs, the child's relationship with each parent, stability, the wishes of the child where appropriate, and any history of abuse or domestic violence.
Required Plan Contents
A South Carolina parenting plan must reflect the parents' preferences, the allocation of parenting time to be spent with each parent, and the major decisions, including the child's education, medical and dental care, extracurricular activities, and religious training (South Carolina Code Section 63-15-220).
Major Decisions Allocation
Your plan should state whether custody is joint or sole and how the parents will make major decisions about the children's education, medical and dental care, extracurricular activities, and religious training. Under joint custody both parents share equal rights over these decisions unless the judge assigns specific ones to one parent (South Carolina Code Section 63-15-210).
Parenting-Time Schedule
Beyond the statutory minimum, a strong South Carolina plan spells out the parenting-time schedule: the regular weekday and weekend routine, holidays, school breaks, and summer, plus exchanges and transportation. A detailed schedule reduces conflict and shows the Family Court exactly what arrangement to adopt.
Joint or Separate Filing
If the parents agree, they may submit a joint parenting plan; if they do not agree, each parent files a separate plan and the Family Court decides custody by the best interest of the child (South Carolina Code Sections 63-15-220 and 63-15-240). Filing your own clear plan shows the court the arrangement you are asking it to adopt.
Parenting Class Set by the Court
South Carolina Family Courts commonly require parents in a case involving children to complete a parenting-education program, but the requirement is administered by the court rather than set as a single fixed statewide class in the statute. Check with the South Carolina Family Court where your case is filed.

Find out where you stand in South Carolina

Introduction

Key Things to Know

Key decisions before you file

Customize your Parenting Plan Template with DocDraft

South Carolina Requirements for Parenting Plan

Parenting Plan Required

Joint or Sole Custody

Best Interest of the Child

Required Plan Contents

Major Decisions Allocation

Parenting-Time Schedule

Joint or Separate Filing

Parenting Class Set by the Court

Frequently Asked Questions