reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
SC Code § 20-1-710 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 1 - Marriage|Section 20-1-710. Legislative purpose.

 The General Assembly finds that the family is the fundamental building block of society. Within healthy families children are instilled with values essential to the vitality of our State. These values include personal responsibility, honesty, duty, commitment to others, a work ethic, respect for authority, and sound educational habits. Because the family plays such a crucial role in developing these and other civic virtues essential to self-government, parents have a duty to themselves, their children, and society at large to instill these virtues in their children. Therefore, as much as it is able, the State should promote strong families, for the family is the cradle of an ordered and vibrant republic. Self-government depends upon civic virtue, and civic virtue in turn depends upon healthy families. The purpose of this act is to emphasize the importance of families to the success and well-being of our State.  HISTORY: 2001 Act No. 4, Section 2, eff November 30, 2000.
SC Code § 20-1-720 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 1 - Marriage|Section 20-1-720. Publication and distribution of "South Carolina Family Respect" pamphlet.

 (A) The office of the Governor shall publish an informational pamphlet entitled "South Carolina Family Respect" consistent with the intent and provisions of this act. The office of the Governor shall distribute the pamphlet to the agencies, offices, and entities listed in subsection (B). It is the duty of the government agencies, offices, and entities listed in subsection (B) to promote the ideals of this pamphlet and distribute it to their constituencies and clients.  (B) The informational pamphlet must be distributed to:  (1) all probate judges and clerks of court who issue marriage licenses who shall give it to each couple at the time they apply for the license;  (2) all family court judges who shall give it to all couples who file a petition for divorce or a petition for approval of a separation agreement;  (3) the Department of Social Services who shall give it to each person who applies for welfare benefits;  (4) the Department of Health and Environmental Control to be included and mailed out with each certified birth certificate issued, as provided in Section 44-63-80;  (5) all public school districts in the State that teach sex education programs. All public school districts must include a discussion of the pamphlet in its sex and family education curriculum;  (6) all state and local agencies and institutions that provide health services including, but not limited to, family planning services and distribution of contraceptives, to be given to all pregnant minors, persons receiving birth control, and persons receiving information on family planning or sexually transmitted diseases;  (7) all local mental health centers to be distributed where appropriate in particular counseling situations;  (8) all county programs for adolescent pregnancy prevention initiatives, as provided in Section 44-122-40. Each initiative must include a discussion of the pamphlet with the adolescents it counsels;  (9) all public colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher learning to be distributed to all first year students during their orientation; and  (10) the pamphlet must be made available for voluntary distribution to:  (i) all clergy and counselors who provide marriage counseling;  (ii) all private high schools;  (iii) all private institutions of higher learning; and  (iv) the general public.  HISTORY: 2001 Act No. 4, Section 2, eff November 30, 2000.
SC Code § 20-3-10 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-10. Grounds for divorce.

 No divorce from the bonds of matrimony shall be granted except upon one or more of the following grounds, to wit:  (1) adultery;  (2) desertion for a period of one year;  (3) physical cruelty;  (4) habitual drunkenness; provided, that this ground shall be construed to include habitual drunkenness caused by the use of any narcotic drug; or  (5) on the application of either party if and when the husband and wife have lived separate and apart without cohabitation for a period of one year. A plea of res judicata or of recrimination with respect to any other provision of this section shall not be a bar to either party obtaining a divorce on this ground.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-101; 1952 Code Section 20-101; 1949 (46) 216; 1952 (47) 2142; 1969 (56) 172; 1979 Act No. 10 Section 1.
SC Code § 20-3-20 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-20. Effect of collusion.

 If it shall appear to the satisfaction of the court that the parties to any divorce proceeding colluded or that the act complained of was done with the knowledge or assent of the plaintiff for the purpose of obtaining a divorce the court shall not grant such divorce.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-102; 1952 Code Section 20-102; 1949 (46) 216.
SC Code § 20-3-30 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-30. Residence requirement.

 In order to institute an action for divorce from the bonds of matrimony the plaintiff must have resided in this State at least one year prior to the commencement of the action or, if the plaintiff is a nonresident, the defendant must have so resided in this State for this period; provided, that when both parties are residents of the State when the action is commenced, the plaintiff must have resided in this State only three months prior to commencement of the action. The terms 'residents' or 'resided' as used in this section as it applies to a plaintiff or defendant stationed in this State on active duty military service means a continuous presence in this State for the period required regardless of intent to permanently remain in South Carolina.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-103; 1952 Code Section 20-103; 1949 (46) 216; 1951 (47) 539; 1975 (59) 310; 1987 Act No. 17 Section 1, eff March 31, 1987.
SC Code § 20-3-40 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-40. Married person deemed of age.

 Any married person shall, for the purpose of maintaining or defending an action for divorce and the settlement of property rights arising thereunder, be deemed of age.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-104; 1952 Code Section 20-104; 1949 (46) 216.
SC Code § 20-3-50 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-50. Jurisdiction of actions for divorce.

 Actions for divorce from the bonds of matrimony shall, except as otherwise provided, be only in the equity jurisdiction of the court of common pleas.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-105; 1952 Code Section 20-105; 1949 (46) 216.
SC Code § 20-3-60 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-60. Venue.

 Actions for divorce from the bonds of matrimony or for separate support and maintenance must be tried in the county (a) in which the defendant resides at the time of the commencement of the action, (b) in which the plaintiff resides if the defendant is a nonresident or after due diligence cannot be found, or (c) in which the parties last resided together as husband and wife unless the plaintiff is a nonresident, in which case it must be brought in the county in which the defendant resides.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-106; 1952 Code Section 20-106; 1949 (46) 216; 1951 (47) 539; 1985 Act No. 56 Section 1, eff April 29, 1985.
SC Code § 20-3-70 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-70. Service of summons on nonresident.

 When the person on whom the service of the summons in an action for divorce from the bonds of matrimony is to be made cannot, after due diligence, be found within the State and that fact appears to the satisfaction of the court, or judge thereof, the clerk of the court of common pleas, the master or the probate judge of the county in which the cause is pending and it in like manner appears that a cause of action exists against the defendant in respect to whom the service is to be made, such court, judge, clerk, master or judge of probate may grant an order that the service be made by the publication of the summons in the manner and with the effect provided in Sections 15-9-710 to 15-9-740. In lieu of publication of summons as provided in Sections 15-9-710 to 15-9-740 the plaintiff may cause such process to be served personally upon any nonresident and the service so made shall be sufficient.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-107; 1952 Code Section 20-107; 1949 (46) 216.
SC Code § 20-3-80 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-80. Required delays before reference and final decree; exceptions.

 No reference shall be had before two months after the filing of the complaint in the office of the Clerk of Court, nor shall a final decree be granted before three months after such filing.  Provided, however, that when the plaintiff seeks a divorce on the grounds of desertion or separation for one year, the hearing may be held and the decree issued after the responsive pleadings have been filed or after the respondent has been adjudged to be in default whichever occurs sooner.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-108; 1952 Code Section 20-108; 1949 (46) 216; 1979 Act No. 10 Section 2.
SC Code § 20-3-90 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-90. Attempt at reconciliation.

 In all cases referred to a master or special referee, such master or special referee shall, except in default cases, summon the party or parties within the jurisdiction of the court before him and shall in all cases make an earnest effort to bring about a reconciliation between the parties if they appear before him. No judgment of divorce shall be granted in such case unless the master or special referee to whom such cause may have been referred shall certify in his report or, if the cause has not been referred, unless the trial judge shall state in the decree that he has attempted to reconcile the parties to such action and that such efforts were unavailing.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-110; 1952 Code Section 20-110; 1949 (46) 216; 1950 (46) 2363.
SC Code § 20-3-100 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-100. Attempt at reconciliation when one party is in armed forces overseas.

 When either of the parties is a member of the armed forces and is serving without the continental limits of the United States, an affidavit by such party, taken before any officer of the armed forces authorized to administer an oath, to the effect that, so far as he is concerned, a reconciliation is impossible shall be accepted by the court in lieu of the certification that an unsuccessful attempt to reconcile the parties has been made.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-110.1; 1952 Code Section 20-110.1; 1951 (47) 538.
SC Code § 20-3-110 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-110. Injunctions incident to divorce suits.

 The court, pending the termination of the action or by final order, may restrain or enjoin either party to the cause from in any manner interposing any restraint upon the personal liberty of, or from harming, interfering with or molesting, the other party to the cause during the pendency of the suit or after final judgment. It may also, during the pendency of such action, restrain or enjoin any other person who is made a party to the action from doing or threatening to do any act calculated to prevent or interfere with a reconciliation of the husband and wife or other amicable adjustment of the action.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-111; 1952 Code Section 20-111; 1949 (46) 216.
SC Code § 20-3-120 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-120. Alimony and suit money.

 In every divorce action from the bonds of matrimony either party may in his or her complaint or answer or by petition pray for the allowance to him or her of alimony and suit money and for the allowance of such alimony and suit money pendente lite. If such claim shall appear well-founded the court shall allow a reasonable sum therefor.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-112; 1952 Code Section 20-112; 1949 (46) 216; 1979 Act No. 71 Section 5.
SC Code § 20-3-125 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-125. Petition to enforce award of attorney fee.

 Any attorney whose client has been awarded an attorney fee by the family court may petition the family court for the circuit in which the order was filed to enforce the payment of such fee.  HISTORY: 1984 Act No. 301.
SC Code § 20-3-135 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-135. Spousal support obligation when marriage declared void due to fraud.

 A marriage that would otherwise be lawful that is declared void ab initio by reason of fraud, does not relieve the party committing the fraud of the duty to provide spousal support that would have otherwise existed pursuant to Section 20-3-130.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 291, Section 1, eff June 11, 2008.
SC Code § 20-3-140 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-140. Allowance of alimony and suit money in suits for separate support and maintenance and similar actions.

 In all actions for separate support and maintenance, legal separation, or other marital litigation between the parties, allowances of alimony and suit money and allowances of alimony and suit money pendente lite shall be made according to the principles controlling such allowance and actions for divorce a vinculo matrimonii.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-113.1; 1952 Code Section 20-113.1; 1951 (47) 436; 1979 Act No. 71 Section 4B.
SC Code § 20-3-145 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-145. Attorney fee to constitute lien; payment to estate.

 In any divorce action any attorney fee awarded by the court shall constitute a lien on any property owned by the person ordered to pay the attorney fee and such attorney fee shall be paid to the estate of the person entitled to receive it under the order if such person dies during the pendency of the divorce action.  HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 71 Section 7.
SC Code § 20-3-150 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-150. Segregation of allowance between spouse and children; effect of remarriage of spouse.

 If the court awards the custody of the children to the spouse receiving alimony the court, by its decree, unless good cause to the contrary be shown, shall allocate any award for permanent alimony and support between the supported spouse and the children and upon the remarriage or continued cohabitation of the supported spouse the amount fixed in the decree for his or her support shall cease, and no further alimony payments may be required from the supporting spouse.  For purposes of this section and unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties, "continued cohabitation" means the supported spouse resides with another person in a romantic relationship for a period of ninety or more consecutive days. The court may determine that a continued cohabitation exists if there is evidence that the supported spouse resides with another person in a romantic relationship for periods of less than ninety days and the two periodically separate in order to circumvent the ninety-day requirement.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-114; 1952 Code Section 20-114; 1949 (46) 216; 1979 Act No. 71 Section 8; 2002 Act No. 328, Section 2, eff June 18, 2002.
SC Code § 20-3-160 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-160. Care, custody, and maintenance of children.

 In any action for divorce from the bonds of matrimony the court may at any stage of the cause, or from time to time after final judgment, make such orders touching the care, custody and maintenance of the children of the marriage and what, if any, security shall be given for the same as from the circumstances of the parties and the nature of the case and the best spiritual as well as other interests of the children may be fit, equitable and just.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-115; 1952 Code Section 20-115; 1949 (46) 216.
SC Code § 20-3-170 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-170. Modification, confirmation, or termination of alimony; retirement by supporting spouse.

 (A) Whenever any husband or wife, pursuant to a judgment of divorce from the bonds of matrimony, has been required to make his or her spouse any periodic payments of alimony and the circumstances of the parties or the financial ability of the spouse making the periodic payments shall have changed since the rendition of such judgment, either party may apply to the court which rendered the judgment for an order and judgment decreasing or increasing the amount of such alimony payments or terminating such payments and the court, after giving both parties an opportunity to be heard and to introduce evidence relevant to the issue, shall make such order and judgment as justice and equity shall require, with due regard to the changed circumstances and the financial ability of the supporting spouse, decreasing or increasing or confirming the amount of alimony provided for in such original judgment or terminating such payments. Thereafter the supporting spouse shall pay and be liable to pay the amount of alimony payments directed in such order and judgment and no other or further amount and such original judgment, for the purpose of all actions or proceedings of every nature and wherever instituted, whether within or without this State, shall be deemed to be and shall be modified accordingly, subject in every case to a further proceeding or proceedings under the provisions of this section in relation to such modified judgment.  (B) Retirement by the supporting spouse is sufficient grounds to warrant a hearing, if so moved by a party, to evaluate whether there has been a change of circumstances for alimony. The court shall consider the following factors:  (1) whether retirement was contemplated when alimony was awarded;  (2) the age of the supporting spouse;  (3) the health of the supporting spouse;  (4) whether the retirement is mandatory or voluntary;  (5) whether retirement would result in a decrease in the supporting spouse's income; and  (6) any other factors the court sees fit.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-116; 1952 Code Section 20-116; 1949 (46) 216; 1979 Act No. 71 Section 9; 2012 Act No. 260, Section 1, eff June 18, 2012.
SC Code § 20-3-180 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-180. Change of name after divorce or separation.

 The court, upon the granting of final judgment of divorce or an order of separate maintenance, may allow a party to resume a former surname or the surname of a former spouse.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-117; 1952 Code Section 20-117; 1949 (46) 216; 1998 Act No. 431, Section 1, eff June 23, 1998.
SC Code § 20-3-190 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-190. Divorced wife barred of dower.

 On the granting of any final decree of divorce, the wife shall thereafter be barred of dower in lands formerly owned, then owned, or thereafter acquired by her former husband.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-118; 1952 Code Section 20-118; 1949 (46) 216; 1950 (46) 2251; 1953 (48) 318.
SC Code § 20-3-200 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-200. Divorce shall not render children illegitimate.

 No judgment of divorce from the bonds of matrimony shall render illegitimate the children begotten of the marriage.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-119; 1952 Code Section 20-119; 1949 (46) 216.
SC Code § 20-3-210 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-210. Unlawful advertising for purpose of procuring divorce.

 It shall be unlawful for any person to print, publish, distribute or circulate or cause to be printed, published, distributed or circulated any card, handbill, advertisement, printed paper, book, newspaper or notice of any kind offering or otherwise to advertise to procure, attempt to procure or aid in procuring any divorce either in this State or elsewhere. But this section shall not apply to the printing or publishing of any notice or advertisement required or authorized by the laws of this State.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-120; 1952 Code Section 20-120; 1949 (46) 216.
SC Code § 20-3-220 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-220. Unlawful advertising for purpose of procuring divorce; penalty.

 Any person violating any of the provisions of Section 20-3-210 shall, upon conviction, be punished for each offense by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars and not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not less than one month or more than one year, or both such fine and such imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-121; 1952 Code Section 20-121; 1949 (46) 216.
SC Code § 20-3-230 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 20 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 3 - Divorce|Section 20-3-230. Clerks of court shall file reports of divorces and annulments with Division of Vital Statistics.

 Whenever a divorce or annulment is decreed by a court having jurisdiction, the clerk of court shall, no later than thirty days following the filing of the final decree, send a report to the Registrar of the Division of Vital Statistics of the Department of Health and Environmental Control showing such information as may be required on a certificate to be furnished by the Division of Vital Statistics of the Department of Health and Environmental Control.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 20-122; 1962 (52) 2157.