Family Court

Federally Mandated Child/Spousal Support System

The South Carolina Department of Social Services officially implemented the "Federally Mandated" State Disbursement Unit (SDU) in Georgetown, South Carolina, effective June 1, 2019. Upon that date, obligors currently making support payments to Georgetown County Clerk of Court began making payments to the South Carolina State Disbursement Unit and mailed to:
South Carolina State Disbursement Unit
P.O. Box 100302
Columbia, SC 29202

State Disbursement Unit

If you appear before a judge due to failure to pay your child support or alimony, and were ordered to pay a specific amount (referred to as a purge payment) to be in compliance with the judge's ruling, that payment needs to be paid at the office of the Georgetown County Clerk of Court. You can pay with cash, cashier's check, or money order. Personal checks will not be accepted. Your regular payments are to be sent to the State Disbursement Unit (SDU). The non-custodial parent will only make payments at the office of the Georgetown County Clerk of Court when a Rule to Show Cause was issued and they were found to be in contempt, or a Bench Warrant was issued for his/her arrest.

Please view information concerning making payments to the State Disbursement Unit. Information is provided for those paying child and/or spousal support, custodial parents and employers.

Those who are paying child and/or spousal support will find several options as to how they can pay their court ordered child support, or alimony payments to the State Disbursement Unit. If you have any questions, you can call 800-768-5858. Agents are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm, excluding holidays.

Get information from the South Carolina DSS for those paying child and/or spousal support, custodial parents receiving support, or employers who are garnishing employee's wages to send to the SDU.

Department Functions

The Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases concerning domestic disputes. Among the many types of matters that the Family Court presides over are:

  • Alimony
  • Annulment
  • Change of name
  • Child support
  • Custody
  • Division of marital property
  • Divorces
  • Domestic violence incidents
  • Legal guardianship
  • Paternity
  • Separate maintenance and support
  • Visitation rights

Confidential & Private Cases

Confidential cases brought before the Family Court are adoptions, abuse-neglect, and termination of parental rights. The Family Court also generally has exclusive jurisdiction over juveniles where the minors are under the age of seventeen, which are also confidential.

Any private cases ordered by a Family Court Judge to be sealed are considered confidential and unavailable to the public without a "Court Order" allowing the case to be unsealed.

Confidential cases are not available through the Clerk of Court's Public Access System.

  • Preserves and maintains case records, including records of judgments
  • Collects purge payments of child support and alimony payments as ordered by the Court
  • Prepares Rule to Show Cause for delinquent obligors of child support and alimony payments
  • Issues Bench Warrants as ordered by the Court
  • Appoints Attorneys and Guardian ad Litems on abuse-neglect cases when applicable
  • Maintains the "608 Appointment List" for appointment of attorneys as needed
  • Maintains Court Calendar
  • Schedules hearings for court
  • Prepares rosters for court

Filing Fee Schedule

  • Domestic Cases filing fee: $150 (unless exempt by the Judge)
  • Lis Pendens filed with a Summons and Complaint: $150
  • Lis Pendens only: $10
  • Cancellation of Lis Pendens: $1
  • Motions/RTSC: $25
    (No Fee for RTSC that are strictly for child/spousal support)
  • Copies: $0.50 (per page)
  • Certifications: $1

Helpful Resources

Trial Rosters/Dockets

Citizens can view current and previous trial rosters/dockets by clicking here.