What B.A.L.A.N.C.E. Family Court Services Offers in South Carolina

B.A.L.A.N.C.E. provides free mediation and education to families navigating court disputes

B.A.L.A.N.C.E. stands for Building Awareness, Learning, and Collaborative Education. It is a statewide program run by South Carolina's court system that offers free services to families involved in custody, visitation, and divorce matters. The program focuses on helping parents and guardians communicate better, understand their children's needs, and resolve disputes without going to trial.

The program operates through local family courts across South Carolina. Most family court judges require or strongly encourage parents to complete B.A.L.A.N.C.E. services before their case moves forward. The services include mediation sessions where a trained neutral person helps both sides talk through disagreements, and educational classes that teach parents about how court decisions affect children.

B.A.L.A.N.C.E. is designed to reduce the time and cost of family court cases while keeping the focus on what is best for children. Because the program is funded by the state court system, there is no cost to participate.

Key Takeaways

• B.A.L.A.N.C.E. offers free mediation and parenting education through South Carolina's family courts, and judges often require participation before trial.
• The program serves families in custody disputes, visitation disagreements, and divorce cases involving children.
• Mediation sessions bring both parties together with a neutral mediator to work toward agreement on specific issues.
• Educational classes teach parents about child development, the impact of conflict on children, and how to co-parent effectively after separation.
• Participation typically happens early in a case, before expensive court proceedings move forward.

How mediation works through B.A.L.A.N.C.E.

Mediation is a structured conversation between you, the other parent or guardian, and a trained mediator. The mediator does not make decisions or take sides. Instead, they help both people understand each other's concerns and work toward solutions you both can accept.

A typical mediation session lasts two to three hours. The mediator may meet with both parties together, or may hold separate meetings with each person to understand their position. Common topics include custody arrangements, visitation schedules, child support, and how major decisions about the child will be made.

If you and the other party reach an agreement during mediation, the mediator documents it. That agreement can then be presented to the judge, who usually approves it if it serves the child's best interests. If mediation does not result in full agreement, the mediator reports to the court that mediation was attempted, and your case proceeds to trial.

Parenting education classes offered by B.A.L.A.N.C.E.

B.A.L.A.N.C.E. offers classes designed to help parents understand how separation and court involvement affect children. These classes are typically required for all parents in custody or divorce cases, regardless of whether mediation is used.

Class topics include how children react to parental separation at different ages, how to recognize signs of stress in your child, and how to communicate with your child about the court process. Classes also cover practical co-parenting strategies—how to share information about school and health, how to handle schedule changes, and how to shield children from adult conflict.

Most classes run four to six hours and can be completed in one session or spread across multiple shorter sessions. Some counties offer in-person classes at the courthouse or community centers; others offer online options. Your family court will tell you which format is available in your county and when classes are scheduled.

When B.A.L.A.N.C.E. services are required or recommended

Family court judges in South Carolina have the authority to order parents to participate in B.A.L.A.N.C.E. services. In many counties, judges require mediation and parenting classes for all custody and divorce cases involving minor children. In other counties, judges use their discretion based on the specific case.

Even if a judge does not order B.A.L.A.N.C.E. services, you can request them. Many families find that mediation and education help them reach agreement faster and with less conflict, which benefits the children involved. Your family court clerk or your attorney can tell you whether services are required in your case or how to request them.

If you are already in court and have not completed B.A.L.A.N.C.E. services, ask your attorney or the judge about participating before trial. Starting mediation early in a case often leads to faster resolution.

Finding B.A.L.A.N.C.E. services in your county

B.A.L.A.N.C.E. services are available through family courts in all 46 South Carolina counties. To find the program in your county, contact your local family court directly. The court clerk can tell you whether mediation and classes are required in your case, provide you with a schedule, and explain how to register.

You can also ask your family law attorney for information about B.A.L.A.N.C.E. services in your area. Attorneys who practice family law regularly work with the program and can explain what to expect.

If you do not have an attorney and cannot afford one, ask the family court clerk about legal aid resources in your county. Some legal aid organizations provide free or low-cost representation to people who meet income guidelines, and they can also explain B.A.L.A.N.C.E. services to you.

What to bring and how to prepare for mediation

Before your first mediation session, gather documents that may be relevant to your case. These might include custody orders from any previous court case, school records, medical records, child care invoices, or pay stubs if child support is an issue. You do not need to bring everything—the mediator will tell you what is helpful—but having key documents ready can make the process more efficient.

Think through your main concerns and what you hope to achieve. Write down specific issues you want to address, such as which parent picks up the child from school or how holidays will be split. Being clear about your priorities helps the mediator understand your position and find common ground.

Come to mediation with an open mind. The goal is not to "win" but to reach an agreement that works for your family and serves your child. The mediator will help you see the other parent's perspective and explore solutions that might not have occurred to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my case have to go through B.A.L.A.N.C.E. before trial?

It depends on your county and your judge. Many South Carolina family courts require all custody and divorce cases involving children to complete mediation and parenting classes before trial. Some judges order it on a case-by-case basis. Your family court clerk or attorney can tell you whether it is required in your situation.

What if the other parent refuses to participate in mediation?

If a judge has ordered mediation and one party refuses to attend, that person can be held in contempt of court. If mediation is not ordered but you want to try it, you can ask the court to order it. The mediator and judge will work to encourage both parties to participate, because mediation is most effective when both people are willing to engage.

How much does B.A.L.A.N.C.E. cost?

B.A.L.A.N.C.E. services are free. The program is funded by South Carolina's court system, so there is no charge to parents for mediation sessions or parenting education classes.

Can I use B.A.L.A.N.C.E. if we have never been to court?

Yes. You do not have to have a court case open to use B.A.L.A.N.C.E. services. Some families use mediation to work out custody and visitation agreements before filing in court. Contact your local family court to ask about mediation services for families not yet involved in a case.

What happens if we reach an agreement in mediation?

If you and the other party agree on the issues in mediation, the mediator prepares a written summary of your agreement. You then present this to the judge, who reviews it to make sure it serves the child's best interests. In most cases, judges approve agreements reached through mediation and enter them as court orders.