Reviewed by Carrie Warner, Attorney at Law, SC Bar No. 72836 · Last reviewed November 2, 2026
Divorces for Laurens County residents are filed in the Family Court for Laurens County in the city of Laurens, the county seat. Laurens County is part of the 8th Judicial Circuit, together with Abbeville, Greenwood and Newberry counties. The county includes Laurens, Clinton, Gray Court and Joanna, and it borders Greenville and Spartanburg counties, which are in different circuits.
See our South Carolina Divorce Guide for the statewide process. This page covers the Laurens County details.
Laurens County at a Glance
- County seat: Laurens
- Population: 67,539 (2020 Census)
- Judicial circuit: 8th (Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens, Newberry)
- Courthouse: Laurens County Courthouse, 100 Hillcrest Square, Suite B, Laurens, SC 29360, as listed by the South Carolina Judicial Branch
- Clerk of Court mailing address: PO Box 287, Laurens, SC 29360; phone (864) 984-3538
When Does Your Case Belong in Laurens County?
Under S.C. Code § 20-3-60, a divorce is filed in the county where the defendant lives. If the defendant lives outside South Carolina or cannot be found, it is filed where the plaintiff lives. It can also be filed in the county where the spouses last lived together, unless the plaintiff lives outside South Carolina.
Because Laurens County sits between the Upstate and the Midlands, couples often have ties to several counties:
- Your spouse lives in Clinton and you moved to Greenville. You can file in Laurens County, where your spouse lives.
- You last lived together in Gray Court, and your spouse now lives in Simpsonville. You may file in Laurens County (your last shared home, if you are a South Carolina resident) or in Greenville County (where your spouse lives).
- You live in Laurens, your spouse lives in Greenwood, and you last lived together in Greenwood. The case generally goes to Greenwood County. Being in the same circuit does not make Laurens County a proper choice.
- Your spouse left South Carolina. You can generally file in Laurens County where you live. See spouse lives in another state.
If your spouse has disappeared, a court order can allow service by publication after a diligent search. Our guide on divorcing a spouse you cannot find explains the steps.
Residency, Grounds and Timing
Under S.C. Code § 20-3-30, the spouse filing must have lived in South Carolina for one year, or three months if both spouses are residents at filing. If you are the one who moved away, you can still file in South Carolina when your spouse has lived here for at least one year. More on residency requirements.
The five grounds under S.C. Code § 20-3-10 are adultery, one-year desertion, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and one year of separation without cohabitation. Read about fault and no-fault grounds. Under S.C. Code § 20-3-80, the adultery, cruelty and drunkenness grounds carry a three-month wait before a final decree. Separation and desertion cases can proceed once the defendant answers or defaults. See the divorce waiting period.
Filing With the Laurens County Clerk of Court
You start a divorce by filing a summons and complaint with the Laurens County Clerk of Court. Our how-to-file guide explains what each includes.
- Draft the complaint. Include the ground and every request: custody, child support, alimony, property and debts, and any name change.
- File and pay. The fee is currently $150 statewide. Confirm it with the Clerk of Court. You can ask for a fee waiver if you cannot afford it.
- Serve your spouse. Use the sheriff or another non-party adult, certified mail restricted delivery, or a signed acceptance of service. Your spouse generally has 30 days to answer.
- Exchange financial declarations. Each spouse files Form SCCA 430 by the first hearing or within 45 days of service, whichever comes first.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch publishes self-help forms for simple one-year separation cases with no children and no property or debt to divide.
Temporary Hearings and Mediation
In a contested case, either spouse can ask for a temporary hearing on custody, support or use of the home. Under Family Court Rule 21, it is generally decided on affidavits and financial declarations. Each parent in a custody dispute files a parenting plan.
Mediation is required in most contested divorce cases statewide under ADR Rule 3, including in Laurens County. After discovery, the parties mediate. A settlement is submitted to a judge for approval. Unresolved issues go to a final hearing.
Working With a Lawyer From Columbia
Warner Law’s office is in Columbia. If your case is in Laurens County, contact us to ask whether we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
My spouse moved to Greenville County. Can I still file in Laurens County?
Possibly. If Laurens County is where you last lived together and you are a South Carolina resident, you may file here. Otherwise, the case generally goes to Greenville County, where your spouse lives.
I live in Clinton. Is my case in Laurens County?
Clinton is in Laurens County, so if venue points to where you or your spouse live in Clinton, the case is filed with the Laurens County Clerk of Court.
Where do I file divorce papers in Laurens County?
With the Laurens County Clerk of Court. The South Carolina Judicial Branch lists the courthouse at 100 Hillcrest Square, Suite B, in Laurens. Call (864) 984-3538 to confirm.
How soon can I get divorced in Laurens County?
A no-fault divorce requires one year of separation first. After that, the case can be heard once your spouse answers or is in default. Adultery, physical cruelty and habitual drunkenness cases have a three-month minimum after filing. Court scheduling also affects timing.
Do I have to mediate?
In most contested cases, yes. South Carolina ADR Rule 3 requires mediation in every county, with exceptions such as temporary hearings and some domestic violence situations.
Sources
- S.C. Code Title 20, Chapter 3 (Divorce), South Carolina Legislature
- Laurens County courthouse and Clerk of Court, South Carolina Judicial Branch
- Family Court filing fees, South Carolina Judicial Branch
Talk to Warner Law about your situation. If your divorce will be filed in Laurens County Family Court, contact us to ask whether we can help. Warner Law’s office is at 1405 Calhoun Street in Columbia. Call (803) 692-1072 or request a consultation.
This article is general information about South Carolina law, not legal advice for your case. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
