South Carolina's Laws on Living Expenses

South Carolina

1. • Necessary and actual medical costs
2. • Reasonable living expenses for the birth mother and the child for a reasonable period of time

1. • Any expense that does not have a corresponding receipt
2. • Any expense that is found to be unreasonable

Not addressed in statutes reviewed

 A person or agency may not receive payment for giving consent or relinquishing a child for the purpose of adoption.

1. • Fees for investigations and reports
2. • Fees to individuals required to take consents
3. • Guardian ad litem fees
4. • Attorney's fees
5. • Fees to child-placing agencies and sending agencies

Accounting of Expenses Required by Court Statute: §§ 20-7-1730(C)(4); 20-7-1775(A)

1. • A statement of all payments made in the last 5 years, or agreed to be made in the future, that is not a disbursement must be attached to the adoption petition.
2. • At the final hearing, a full itemized accounting of all fees and expenses must be filed.

Schedule of Hearings
Citation: §§ 40-11-12.1; 40-11-12.2
A permanency hearing shall be held:

• Within 12 months of the child's placement in care; at least every 12 months thereafter
• Within 30 days after a finding that reasonable efforts to reunify are not required

• All parties
• The foster parents
• Any preadoptive parent or relative providing care for the child

• The appropriateness of the service plan
• What services have been offered
• Any further efforts that will promote the best interests of the child

• Return to the parent
• Adoption
• Legal guardianship
• Placement with a fit and willing relative
• Another planned permanent living arrangement

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

If you are an adoption professional and have updated information for this portion of our site let us know by contacting us at 1-800-ADOPTION or e-mail us at editors@americanadoptions.com.