On April 1, 2012, Sottile & Hopkins, LLC celebrated its 25th anniversary. On April 1, 1987, Nick Sottile and Dicky Hopkins formed Sottile & Hopkins in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. to engage in the general practice of law. Over the years we have faced many challenges, experienced much success and had a few setbacks. We have seen it all. Throughout these 25 years we have remained loyal to each other. Our loyalty to each other and to our clients and our clients' loyalty to us is without a doubt the foundation of our success. We thank you for your continued loyalty and look forward to serving you for the next 25 years.
In April, 2010 the South Carolina Supreme Court abolished long-standing case law that the family court had the power to order a divorced parent to pay child support for a child's post-secondary education. Because there is no such legal obligation in South Carolina on a married parent, the court held that such a legal obligation on a divorced parent was unconstitutional on equal protection grounds.
In an unusual move and less than two years later, our Supreme Court, in a 3-2 split decision, overturned its 2010 decision and reinstated the prior law (McLeod vs. Starnes, Opinion No. 27100, Filed March 7, 2012).
So, again, a divorced parent may be ordered to contribute toward a child's college expenses. Sottile & Hopkins is glad to discuss this new ruling with you to see if it affects your situation.
Merry Christmas to everyone! We hope you have a safe, happy and blessed holiday. Our office is closed Friday, December 23rd and Monday, December 26th to celebrate the holiday. We hope you don't need us before next Tuesday but if you have an emergency you can reach Nick at 843-830-5155 and Dicky at 843-870-2562.
