ARASC: FAIRNESS FOR FAMILIES. MODERNIZATION FOR SOUTH CAROLINA

ARASC: ALIMONY REFORM ALLIANCE South Carolina

END PERMANENT ALIMONY

South Carolina remains one of the only states where divorce can result in lifelong financial obligation; a life sentence without a crime.
Reform is overdue. It’s time to align our family laws with fairness, accountability, and modern values.

South Carolina alimony laws are among the most rigid in the country, particularly when it comes to permanent alimony. Many people searching for information about South Carolina alimony are trying to understand how support is calculated, when it can be modified, and why long-term obligations often remain in place even after circumstances change. This site exists to explain how alimony actually works in South Carolina — and to examine the real-world consequences of the current system.

South Carolina Alimony: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters

In South Carolina, alimony is financial support paid by one spouse to the other after a divorce. Courts consider several factors when determining alimony, including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and earning capacity, standard of living during the marriage, and marital fault. There is no fixed formula, and judges have broad discretion in deciding whether alimony is awarded and in what amount.

What is permanent alimony in South Carolina?

Permanent alimony in South Carolina is ongoing spousal support that continues indefinitely, often until the recipient remarries or either party dies. It is most commonly awarded after long-term marriages where one spouse is found to be financially dependent on the other. Unlike many states, South Carolina still allows permanent alimony even when the recipient is capable of employment.

Can alimony be modified in South Carolina?

Yes, alimony can be modified in South Carolina if there is a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, employment status, or financial need. However, modification is not automatic and must be approved by the court. In practice, modifying permanent alimony can be difficult, even when circumstances change materially.

How long does alimony last in SC divorces?

The duration of alimony in South Carolina depends on the type awarded. Rehabilitative or lump-sum alimony is typically time-limited, while permanent alimony can continue indefinitely. The length of the marriage and the recipient’s ability to become self-supporting are key factors in determining how long alimony lasts. South Carolina courts prefer permanent alimony, known as Permanent Periodic Alimony, in marriages over ten years.

Does South Carolina still allow lifetime alimony?

Yes, South Carolina still allows lifetime alimony, commonly referred to as permanent alimony. This means a person may be required to pay spousal support for life, regardless of changes in circumstances, unless a court later approves a modification. South Carolina is one of the last that continues to permit this form of alimony, and the last to 'prefer' it. The impact of permanent alimony extends far beyond the financial burden; and thus the aim of this reform effort is progress that South Carolinians hope.

About Us

ARASC (Alimony Reform Alliance South Carolina) is a grassroots, nonpartisan movement dedicated to ending permanent alimony and modernizing our state’s outdated family laws.

For decades, South Carolina has been one of the few states in America where alimony can last for life — and the last where it is the preferred award for longer term marriages - even when both parties are capable of rebuilding their independence. These laws incentivize family destruction and trap thousands of residents in financial dependency long after divorce, creating lifelong conflict instead of closure.

We believe in fairness, accountability, and second chances. Divorce, which is painful enough, should mark the end of a relationship, not the beginning of a lifetime obligation. By supporting House Bill H.3098, we’re working to bring South Carolina in line with the rest of the nation — promoting reasonable, time-limited support that helps people move forward, not remain stuck in the past.

Our mission is simple: restore fairness, protect families, and secure a future where everyone can rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.

Our Mission

Our Vision

We envision a South Carolina where fairness doesn’t expire at divorce — where every person has the right to rebuild, move forward, and live free from lifelong financial control.

A future where support after marriage is reasonable, time-limited, and focused on independence — not dependency.

We believe reform isn’t just about money; it’s about dignity, equality, and justice. By modernizing our alimony laws, we can create a fairer future for every family in South Carolina — one rooted in compassion, accountability, and common sense.

Who Are We?

We are the men and women of South Carolina — people who entered marriage with love, faith, and commitment. None of us ever imagined ours would end. And when it did, it was devastating.

But for many of us, the grief didn’t stop there. It began all over again with the court’s decision to impose permanent alimony — a lifetime tether to a relationship that had already failed.

We are not criminals, yet we live with a punishment that never ends. We work, we pay, we try to rebuild — but the system keeps us bound to the past, unable to move forward or heal.

Permanent alimony doesn’t promote fairness or compassion. It extends the pain of divorce indefinitely, turning closure into captivity.

We believe South Carolina can do better.
We believe in accountability, equality, and the chance for both people to rebuild their lives with dignity.

We are not asking for escape — we are asking for fairness.
We are the faces, families, and stories behind ARASC.

“I worked two jobs to rebuild after my marriage ended, but the courts still call it ‘her need’ and ‘my ability.’ When does my life count again? When do I get to retire?”

-Father of three, Spartanburg

“I believed in accountability, not revenge. But permanent alimony turned that belief upside down. It’s not helping families — it’s destroying them long after the divorce is over.”

— Former teacher, Columbia

“I thought the divorce was the hardest part. But realizing I’d spend the rest of my life paying someone who chose to leave — that broke me in ways I can’t describe. It’s not justice. It’s a sentence.”

-Father of four, Hartsville

“I stayed home for years raising our kids, then went back to work to support myself after the divorce. But I still see women my age relying on -and bragging about - lifetime alimony instead of rebuilding. That’s not empowerment — it’s entrapment.”

— Small business owner, Greenville

“I’m 78 years old and still working because I have to. My body hurts, but if I stop, I can’t afford the payments. I’ve paid far longer in alimony than I was ever married.”

— Retired tradesman, Lexington

“I didn’t ask for a handout when my marriage ended. I just wanted a fair chance to move forward. This system keeps people stuck — financially, emotionally, and spiritually.”

— Mother of two, Florence