How do I establish paternity and custody?

Question: How do I establish paternity and custody for my daughter? Me and the child's mother have fallen out a long time ago but she is still living in my home. I would like to establish paternity and custody before I separate from the mother.

You have a few options to establish paternity in South Carolina:

(1) if you are both in agreement and want to establish paternity you can complete the Paternity Acknowledgement Affidavit at either S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) or the county health department in the county where the child was born.  There is usually a small fee charged (around $15). 

(2) If the mother will not agree you can go to the DSS child support enforcement office in your county and  fill out a Non-Custodial Parent Application for Services (available at DSS child support offices) and pay a $25 processing fee .  DSS will then schedule a paternity test.  If you are the father DSS will certify paternity and schedule a conference to determine a child support obligation. 

(3) you can retain a lawyer to file an action in Family Court to determine paternity and seek an order related to custody, visitation, and support of the child.  Once paternity is established the Court can address custody, visitation, and support.