How to Divorce Without a Lawyer in Columbia, SC: The Real DIY Guide

You're sitting in your car outside Starbucks on Devine Street Googling "how to file for divorce myself" because you just looked at how much Columbia lawyers charge and there's no way you can afford $5,000 right now.

Or maybe you can afford it but you're thinking "why would I pay someone $350 an hour to file paperwork when my spouse and I already agree on everything?"

Here's the truth: a lot of Columbia divorces don't need lawyers. But "don't need" and "easy" are two different things. South Carolina divorce forms are complicated. And just because you can file yourself doesn't mean you should if there's real money or kids involved.

This is the guide I wish someone had given me—what actually works, what'll mess you up, and when you need to just hire a lawyer.

Can You Actually Do This Yourself?

Yes. South Carolina lets you file for divorce without a lawyer. It's called filing "pro se."

Richland County Family Court processes hundreds of DIY divorces. You're not the first person who looked at $10,000 in lawyer fees and said "absolutely not."

But DIY divorce only works if you and your spouse agree on basically everything. And I mean everything. Who gets the Honda. Who's keeping the furniture. How you're splitting your Wells Fargo account. What happens to that house you bought in Forest Acres.

If you're fighting about any of it, DIY probably won't work.

When DIY Divorce Actually Makes Sense

You're a good candidate if:

Both of you agree it's over. Nobody's trying to "work on it" or stalling.

No kids under 18. Once custody enters the picture, things get complicated. South Carolina requires detailed custody orders.

Your assets are simple. Maybe you rent. Maybe you own a house but you've agreed what to do with it. No pensions, businesses, rental properties.

You've been married less than 10 years. Longer marriages often mean more complicated property and alimony issues.

Income is similar. If one makes $85k at BlueCross and the other makes $35k, alimony comes up. That's complicated.

Nobody's hiding anything. You both know what accounts exist, what's in them, what things are worth.

You can talk to each other without World War III breaking out.

If all that's true, DIY might work. If even one or two things don't fit—especially kids or money—you probably need help.

The South Carolina Divorce Process

Here's what you're filing:

1. Complaint for Divorce. This starts everything. One person (Plaintiff) files this and pays the filing fee.

2. Summons. Goes with the Complaint. Tells your spouse they're being served.

3. Answer (if your spouse files one). If you agree, they might not file. If they disagree, they have 30 days.

4. Settlement Agreement. This spells out who gets what, how you're dividing everything, whether there's alimony.

5. Final Decree. The judge signs this. Makes your divorce official.

South Carolina also requires a 90-day waiting period from when your spouse is served until the divorce can be finalized (one year if you have minor children). You're waiting 90 days minimum.

The Filing Fee Reality

Filing in Richland County costs $150. That's just to file.

Can't afford it? File for a fee waiver. Show your income. If you're on SNAP or low income, the court waives it.

A lot of people don't know this exists. Don't let $150 stop you.

Grounds for Divorce in South Carolina

South Carolina requires grounds. Most people use:

No-fault (one year separation): You've lived separate and apart for one year. This is cleanest for DIY.

Adultery: If someone cheated. But you need proof. SC is a fault state—adultery affects property and alimony.

Physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness, desertion: These are fault grounds requiring proof.

For DIY, use one-year separation if you can. No proof needed. No blame. Just "we've been separated."

What Could Go Wrong

You divide property wrong. South Carolina's equitable distribution rules are specific. Miss something and you're giving up money you're entitled to.

Tax implications. Selling the house, dividing accounts—all affects taxes.

Your spouse lies on financial disclosure. You file honestly. They "forget" accounts. Two years later you find out.

You agree to something unfair because you don't know better.

Parenting plan is too vague. South Carolina needs specifics.

When to Give Up and Hire a Lawyer

Be honest. You probably need help if:

• Fighting about custody or support

• Own a house or property

• Retirement accounts or pensions

• Big income gap

• Not sure what accounts exist

• Spouse has a lawyer

• Domestic violence

• Completely lost

Many people start DIY, realize they're overwhelmed, hire a lawyer to fix it. That costs more than hiring them initially.

Using Divorce.com for Columbia

If your divorce is truly uncontested but you don't want to figure out SC forms yourself, Divorce.com is a middle option.

Flat fee (way less than a lawyer). They walk you through SC forms. Make sure everything's right for Richland County.

Works great if you both agree. Doesn't work if you're fighting. It's not legal advice. They help with forms.

The Bottom Line

Can you divorce without a lawyer in Columbia? Yes.

Should you? Depends.

If you both genuinely agree and your situation is simple, DIY or Divorce.com saves thousands.

If there's complexity—kids, houses, retirement, income differences—you need help.

Be honest about what you're dealing with. Then make the smart choice.