It is well established that, in South Carolina, public policy favors the institution of marriage, as affirmed recently by our Supreme Court in the case of Theisen v. Theisen.  It is also well established that the Family Court disfavors romantically involved adults who live in the same home without the benefit of being married when one or the other’s minor children reside in the same household.  Numerous parents have lost custody of their children because they are “living in sin” with their romantic companion.  (See Chastain v Chastain, 381 SC 295 (Ct. App. 2009).  Our state legislature has even gone so far as to make this a crime. SC Code 16-15-60.  This bar against romantically involved adults living with one another without the benefit of marriage and with their children applies equally to homosexual relationships and heterosexual relationships, leaving one to ponder – Are we blackmailing people into marriage?  See Stroman v. Williams, 291 SC 276 (Ct. App. 1987).

Within the last month, I have married two couples and married another this week, solely to help a parent either gain or retain custody of their children and attempting to avoid the Family Court’s determination that the parent engaged in the romantic relationship is living in an immoral home environment and thus exposing the children to their parent’s legislatively determined “immorality”.

While it may be a funny thing for a divorce lawyer to say, I am a big proponent of marriage and have been married for over fourteen years.  I believe that marriage can be a wonderful thing for adults and children alike.  But what ae we try to accomplish by forcing people to marry in order to maintain custody or overnight visitation with their children?  Does a license really set the standard for an individual’s morality, and conversely, their ability to parent their children?

In general, we as a society want people to marry because they are ready to make a deep and longstanding legal and social commitment to one another and we ask Americans enjoy the freedom to choose our spouse.  On the other hand, it is commonly claimed that over fifty percent of marriages end in divorce.  It would be interesting to know what the divorce rate is of people who married one another because they wished to remain living with their significant other while not losing custody or overnight visitation with their children.  I suspect that the divorce rate of these marriages will be higher simply because the parties have been forced into marriage.  By forcing people to marry, are we not also increasing the divorce rate and the resulting societal dysfunction which we were trying to avoid to begin with by encouraging the marriage?  Ultimately, what can be the success rate of people forced to marry for the wrong reasons?

If our societal goal is to perpetuate the institution of marriage, our mission has been accomplished.  If our societal goal is to support long lasting marriages and a healthy society, how can we do this if people are blackmailed to the altar or the justice of the peace?  In other words, if our society compels people to marry for the wrong reasons, aren’t we doing society and our children a disservice by imposing a life plan on them that may not be what is in their best interests?  Should morality be legislated by our government?

Sometimes, folks, he (or she) is just not that into you.

In the span of 24 hours, she allegedly called her ex-lover 146 times.

Police said she shattered several of the windows of his west Houston home, first with a tire iron, and then with a 5-foot sword.

She is accused of egging his house on several occasions, and posting pictures of herself bragging about it on her Facebook page.

Main, 62, did not respond to a voicemail or an email seeking comment. Main told police officers he dated Silvey briefly in 2009 and has been reluctant to file charges against her because “he is afraid of angering (her) further.”

Main told police that Silvey called him 1,001 times and sent him 712 emails over a span of less than three months, starting in mid-June. One day in August, she allegedly called him 146 times, investigators said.

While the protagonist and antagonist in the linked story above were merely lovers and were neither married nor parents of the same child, it goes without saying that divorce and child custody matters are highly emotional matters and, on occasion, emotions definitely can get the better of all of us.  Thankfully, in cases like the one in the linked story above, the Family Court in South Carolina provides spouses and former spouses with protection against the kind of harassment in the Houston Chronicle piece.

Come speak with us at The LaMantia Law Firm. We will be happy to discuss your options with you. Call us anytime — just try to keep the number of phone calls under 1,000 if at all possible.

Couples cite Facebook in one out of five US divorces, say Loyola University researchers —and 81% of divorce lawyers report a rise in cases using social networks as evidence, ZDNet reports. For cases that do make use of online evidence, Facebook is by far the biggest source, according to 66% of attorneys in a recent survey. As for the network’s relationship-busting role, “we’re coming across it more and more,” says a psychologist.

Some of the very first questions that our attorneys will ask a client when marital fidelity or a child’s health, welfare and well-being is concerned is whether or not their spouse or parental counterpart has a Facebook page, whether that page is open for them to see, and whether they have seen anything that raises suspicion of infidelity or child endangerment.

Change your Facebook settings to “private,” folks.  And if you are looking at an extended custody battle with your parental counterpart, make sure they’re not on your “friends” list.

Fashionistas everywhere can thank jewelers Spritzer and Furman for this 18-karat gold split heart ring being marketed as one to wear if you’ve gotten a divorce. Oh — and it’s only $3,200! Now you’ll never be able to forget your ex again!

I just don’t see where there would be a demand for a bauble like this. First thing’s first: The ring itself is heinous. It makes me think of something a Power Ranger would wear on a date. And while I love gold and would want my engagement ring to be gold, this gold looks ridiculous. Not to mention, the design is hideous. The triangular diamond looks like a dagger, don’t you think?

I also have to ask: After a heart-wrenching split, aren’t there a lot of other things you would rather spend $3,200 on than a ring to remind you of your newfound singledom? Like, oh, I don’t know, a trip to Las Vegas with your girlfriends or a much nicer looking piece of jewelry that doesn’t make you think of your ex every time you get a glimpse of your hand?

The author is right — the ring is hideous.  Click on the link above if you want to see a photo.

Despite the tongue-in-cheek nature of the original story, there is a lesson here.  Divorce–and really any Family Law action–is a life-changing experience, the closure of one chapter and the opening of another.  Some people want to celebrate that, and those that do generally do so in their own special way.  Here at The LaMantia Law Firm, we have had clients go out for “drinks with the girls,” take photos with us at the courthouse, and go on solo backpacking trips through Europe as a way of celebrating the closure and stability that a Final Order can provide.  We even had someone tattoo the date of her divorce on her foot.

The point is, however you want to celebrate the opening of a new chapter in your life … well, that’s up to you.  We just want to help you get there.

Anthony P. LaMantia, III, Esq.

“I believe that through advocacy for my client’s rights and interests, I am serving my community. My experience as an attorney has shown me that each case is unique, just as each client is unique, and that some cases can be managed with minimal conflict, while others may require intense litigation to achieve the desired result.”
[Click here to learn more about Anthony.]

Allison J. LaMantia, Esq.

“Children are our greatest resource and must be reassured at all times that they are not to blame for the turmoil that the adults in their life are experiencing. By remaining focused on the family, I believe that together we can navigate the tough times and embrace the future with hope, health and peace.”
[Click here to learn more about Allison.]

Jeffrey M. Schreiber, Esq.

“The most joyous aspects of my relatively young career present themselves when I have the opportunity to watch our clients grow stronger with each passing day. I take pleasure in helping our clients achieve stability that they didn’t have when we first met.”
[Click here to learn more about Jeff.]

Jeff took the long road to his law degree, receiving his Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law in Camden, New Jersey in 2010, nearly ten years to the day after receiving his undergraduate degree from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama.

In June 2010, less than two weeks after receiving his law degree, Jeff relocated from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Summerville, South Carolina, where he currently resides with his wife, Joanna, a Registered Nurse, and his two young children. Jeff began working in a support role for the LaMantia Law Firm, LLC in July 2010. Prior to working for Anthony and Allison, Jeff worked in Philadelphia for eight years as a News Reporter for Courthouse News Service, Inc., a California-based legal wire service.

In his spare time, Jeff is known to dabble in new media and national politics, and during most evenings can usually be found on the floor or in a swimming pool somewhere, playing with his son and daughter.

Jeff is licensed to practice law in South Carolina.

BAR ADMISSIONS

• State of South Carolina, 2012

EDUCATION

• Rutgers University School of Law – Camden, NJ (J.D., 2010)
• Auburn University (B.A., Journalism, 2000)

To speak to or schedule an appointment or free initial consultation with Jeff, either call the office at (843) 724-6363 or send him an e-mail at Jeff@LaMantiaLawFirm.com.

182 East Bay Street
Suite 302
Charleston, South Carolina 29401

Conveniently located on East Bay Street in beautiful and historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina just steps from the Market and Waterfront Park, the LaMantia Law Firm is easily accessible from all areas of the Lowcountry, with convenient parking adjacent to the building.

From I-26 East

• Heading east on I-26, take Exit 219B toward Morrison Drive and East Bay Street.
• Make a left onto Morrison Drive, and follow Morrison Drive towards downtown Charleston.
• Morrison Drive becomes East Bay Street. Follow East Bay Street south towards the Battery.
• After passing Market Street, make a left at the next light onto Cumberland Street.
• A parking garage will be located on your right. Enter and park.
• Exit the parking garage on the side that would lead you directly to East Bay Street. There, you will be facing a three-story blue building. Our office is located on the third floor, and is accessible via the elevator located in the walkway leading from the parking lot to East Bay Street.

From Mount Pleasant

• Follow US-17 South across the Ravenel Bridge.
• Take the first exit on your right, marked East Bay Street/Morrison Drive.
• At the bottom of the ramp, make a left onto East Bay Street/Morrison Drive and follow the road towards downtown Charleston.
• Morrison Drive becomes East Bay Street. Follow East Bay Street south towards the Battery.
• After passing Market Street, make a left at the next light onto Cumberland Street.
• A parking garage will be located on your right. Enter and park.
• Exit the parking garage on the side that would lead you directly to East Bay Street. There, you will be facing a three-story blue building. Our office is located on the third floor, and is accessible via the elevator located in the walkway leading from the parking lot to East Bay Street.

From West of the Ashley River

• If coming across the Ashley River on US-17, head south on Lockwood Drive toward the Battery and make a left onto Calhoun Street.
• If coming across the James Island Connector, stay straight onto Calhoun Street.
• Once on Calhoun Street, follow Calhoun east until it intersects with East Bay Street and make a right onto East Bay Street.
• After passing Market Street, make a left at the next light onto Cumberland Street.
• A parking garage will be located on your right. Enter and park.
• Exit the parking garage on the side that would lead you directly to East Bay Street. There, you will be facing a three-story blue building. Our office is located on the third floor, and is accessible via the elevator located in the walkway leading from the parking lot to East Bay Street.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further directions! Our office number is (843) 724-6363, and we are here to help.

After receiving her law degree in 1999 from Rutgers University School of Law in Camden, New Jersey, Allison served as law clerk to the Honorable Thomas J. Cavanagh, Jr., P.J.Ch., in the Family Court of the Superior Court of New Jersey.

Following her clerkship, Allison built upon her experience by joining a prestigious New Jersey law firm, where she represented clients in all aspects of Family Law.

In 2003, Allison was made a partner in the Law Office of Granata, Wernik, Zaccardi & LaMantia. In 2005, she relocated to the Palmetto State and, along with her husband Anthony, opened The LaMantia Law Firm, LLC in picturesque downtown Charleston.

Allison and Tony have four children—three boys and a girl—and, when not in the office, Allison devotes much of her time to their schooling and extracurricular activities.

Allison is licensed to practice law in South Carolina and New Jersey.

BAR ADMISSIONS

• State of South Carolina, 2005
• U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina, 2006
• State of New Jersey, 2000
• U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 2000

EDUCATION

• Rutgers University School of Law – Camden, NJ (J.D., 1999)
• Rutgers University (B.A., Social Work, 1996)

To speak to or schedule an appointment or free initial consultation with Allison, either call the office at (843) 724-6363 or send her an e-mail at Allison@LaMantiaLawFirm.com.