South Carolina § 63-7-2530 - Filing procedures.
Full text of South Carolina South Carolina Code of Laws § 63-7-2530 — Filing procedures., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 63-7-2530. Filing procedures.
(A) A petition seeking termination of parental rights may be filed by the Department of Social Services or any interested party.
(B) The department may file an action for termination of parental rights without first seeking the court's approval of a change in the permanency plan pursuant to Section 63-7-1680 and without first seeking an amendment of the placement plan pursuant to Section 63-7-1700. Additionally, the department may amend or supplement a petition for removal or a complaint for removal to include a cause of action for termination of parental rights any time after grounds for termination of parental rights are present.
(C) The hearing on the petition to terminate parental rights must be held within one hundred twenty days of the date the termination of parental rights petition is filed. A party may request a continuance that would result in the hearing being held more than one hundred twenty days after the petition was filed, and the court may grant a continuance in its discretion. If a continuance is granted, the court must issue a written order scheduling the case for trial on a date and time certain.
HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, SECTION 2; 2009 Act No. 41, SECTION 3, eff July 1, 2009; 2023 Act No. 80 (H.3553), SECTION 3, eff June 19, 2023.
Effect of Amendment
The 2009 amendment added subsection (C) relating to the time for hearing a petition to terminate parental rights.
2023 Act No. 80, SECTION 3, in (B), added the second sentence.
Source: official South Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina § 63-7-2530
What does South Carolina Code of Laws § 63-7-2530 cover?
Section 63-7-2530 ("Filing procedures.") is part of the South Carolina Code of Laws, the codified statutory law of South Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite South Carolina § 63-7-2530?
A common citation format is "South Carolina Code of Laws § 63-7-2530" (South Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of South Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Carolina attorney.
How does South Carolina § 63-7-2530 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in South Carolina.