Divorce
Child Custody
Military Divorce
High-Asset & Complex Divorce
Emergency Custody
Modifications
Contempt & EnforcementGrandparent & De Facto Custodian
Law Office of Nick Mermiges · Columbia, South Carolina
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The Columbia, SC divorce and custody attorneys at the Law Office of Nick Mermiges, LLC combine years of South Carolina family court experience with elite academic credentials and an unwavering dedication to our clients' interests.
Our lawyers have handled hundreds of divorce, custody, and family cases in South Carolina. Principal Nick Mermiges has taken multiple divorce, child custody, and contempt cases to trial in Richland and Lexington Counties. He knows what needs to be done before a case begins, after a case is filed, and throughout litigation to help his clients get the outcome they want.
Nick believes that the goal of every family court attorney should be to get their client through the family court system as expeditiously as possible, with the best outcome possible. Whether that means negotiating a prompt and fair settlement, or aggressively pursuing contested litigation, we are dedicated to assisting our clients in achieving their goals.
In addition to his years of experience, Nick Mermiges has elite academic credentials. He graduated in the top 5% of his law school class at the University of Miami School of Law, and served as a member of the Law Review. He brings this elite academic background, along with his deep experience, to all of the cases he handles. To schedule a consultation, click here or call (803) 587-0472 today.
Videos
Attorney Nick Mermiges has recorded several informational videos which detail issues that frequently arise during the family court process. Visit our Articles & Videos section, or watch some of our most popular videos below.
Practice areas
Columbia, SC divorce and custody lawyers Nick Mermiges and Jaime McSweeney have substantial experience handling high-conflict and high-value divorce cases, military divorce cases, adultery divorces, negotiated settlements, grandparent custody cases, interstate custody cases, contempt actions, emergency custody cases and modifications, alimony cases and modifications, parental alienation cases, appeals, and more.
Contested and negotiated divorce, fault and no-fault, separation and property division.
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Custody and visitation arising from divorce or separation, and custody disputes of every kind.
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Pension division, the 10/10 rule, VA disability, SBP and deployment custody near Fort Jackson.
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Marital businesses, retirement accounts, valuations and dissipation of marital assets.
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Ex parte and expedited relief when a child’s safety cannot wait for the ordinary schedule.
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Changing custody, visitation and support when circumstances substantially change.
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Rules to show cause and contempt when a court order or agreement is not followed.
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Grandparent visitation and custody, and de facto custodian cases.
Learn MoreAll practice areasAlso: prenuptial agreements, alimony, appeals and civil litigation.
The process
Most contested divorce and separation cases follow the same broad path. If you file promptly and work the case properly, the contested issues can be resolved during the waiting period.
The twelve-month no-fault period begins the day you stop living under the same roof — no court filing is required to start it.
An action for separate support and maintenance can address custody, child support, property division, alimony, attorney’s fees and the marital home.
Decided on written affidavits and financial declarations, not live testimony. The temporary order governs the case while it is pending.
Both sides exchange financial records, interrogatories and documents. Where money is hidden, subpoenas can trace it.
Required in contested cases. With few exceptions, you must complete mediation before you can request a trial.
An agreement is presented to the judge for approval at a final hearing. If there is no agreement, the case is tried.
Knowledge Center
Articles, white papers, frequently asked questions and videos on South Carolina family law — 21 resources and 57 answered questions, written by the attorneys who handle these cases.
How South Carolina family courts decide custody and visitation, what evidence matters, and...
6 resources
Grounds for divorce, the one-year separation, and how a South Carolina divorce moves from...
9 resources
Equitable division of marital property: what is marital, how it is valued, and who keeps the...
8 resources
Alimony and child support in South Carolina: the types, the factors, the guidelines and when...
3 resources
Military retired pay, VA disability, SBP, BAH and deployment — the federal rules layered on...
3 resources
After the final order: changing custody, visitation or support when circumstances...
3 resources
Discovery, text messages, financial records and the rules that decide what a family court...
3 resources
Temporary hearings, emergency relief, affidavits, discovery deadlines and the mechanics of a...
5 resources
Child CustodyNew
When a child's safety is at stake, the family court can act within days, and sometimes the same day. Here is the standard for ex parte and...
Discovery & EvidenceNew
Text messages are often the most persuasive evidence in a South Carolina divorce or custody case. Whether they help you or destroy you depends on...
Modification & EnforcementNew
A final order is final — until someone proves a substantial change in circumstances. Here is what that phrase actually means, what tends to...
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