In a South Carolina divorce, the husband should not move out of the marital home unless both parties have signed a written divorce settlement agreement. Moving out of the marital home prematurely is the most common and most serious strategic mistake that a husband can make in a South Carolina divorce. The husband can lose his kids and be forced to pay alimony for the rest of his life if he moves out too soon. By moving out before a divorce settlement agreement has been signed, the husband will define a “new status quo” for the child custody and financial issues. The wife’s attorney will argue that the husband’s continuing payment of the mortgage and other family bills demonstrates the wife’s need for alimony and the husband’s ability to pay it. The husband will also be yielding the primary child custody role to his wife before a custodial evaluation has been performed or a judge has ruled. If a divorce is inevitable, the husband should negotiate a written parenting plan and a financial settlement before he moves out. Since the settlement agreement will settle all of the financial and child issues in a South Carolina divorce, the husband should consult with an experienced family law attorney before doing anything. https://thepeckfirm.com/successfully-negotiate-charleston-divorce-settlement/ The husband should move out without a signed settlement agreement in a South Carolina divorce only if: (1) there is the possibility of domestic violence; (2) a false charge of domestic violence might be filed against him; (3) the welfare of the children is in question; (4) a court order has been issued; (5) the husband wants to file a no-fault divorce: or (6) another reason that his attorney may provide.