Family Law & Elder Law Attorneys in Columbia, SC

Taking Care of Your Most Pressing Legal Matters

At Collins Family & Elder Law Group, we make it easy to find trustworthy family law and elder law services in Columbia, South Carolina. All you need to do is talk to a member of our firm and tell us what’s going on.

We understand that when you’re dealing with family transitions or planning for what life will look like as you age, clarity, empathy, and skilled legal guidance matter more than ever. Depend on our attorneys, who know the state’s statutes, courts, and procedures, so you can feel confident in the future again.

Need help with family or elder law in Columbia, SC? Call (803) 590-6982 and plan an initial consultation soon.

Our Service Area in the Columbia Region

We help clients throughout Columbia and across the Midlands, including in Richland County, Lexington County, and surrounding areas. Whether you live in the city or in adjacent suburbs or rural communities, our Columbia team is ready to serve you with family law and elder law counsel that local families and even legal peers count on.

Our Managing Attorney in Columbia, SC: Melinda Taylor

Melinda Taylor is a Managing Attorney for the Collins Family & Elder Law Group office based in Columbia, South Carolina. She grew up in the greater Columbia metropolitan area, where she currently resides. Melinda earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina and graduated from Charlotte School of Law with honors. In addition to her academic achievements, Melinda's dedication to family law is evident in her active participation in local initiatives that support domestic violence survivors.

After law school, Melinda spent over eight years at a public interest law firm practicing family law and other areas of civil litigation. Melinda was the head family law attorney and was recognized as Attorney of the Year in 2016 while employed at that law firm. Melinda has extensive experience advocating for clients who were victims of domestic violence. She has represented clients in custody, divorce, adoption, child support, separation, and birth certificate matters. Her commitment to client welfare is reflected in her personalized approach, offering tailored legal solutions that address the unique needs of each family.

Family Law Representation in Columbia, SC

In Columbia, client needs in family law often revolve around divorce, child custody (or visitation), child support, alimony (also called spousal support), separation agreements, and the equitable division of marital property. Under South Carolina law, certain unique considerations apply, such as the possibility of fault-based grounds for divorce, the concepts of separate maintenance, and the equitable division of assets.

We know that family law cases can feel emotionally fraught because what’s at stake is not just legal rights, but relationships, futures, and family well-being. From our first conversation, we prioritize your goals and best interests, whether your focus is on preserving a peaceful co-parenting atmosphere, protecting your financial future, or making a safe home for your children.

Our Columbia family lawyers usually favor resolving disputes collaboratively through negotiation or mediation, minimizing tension, legal expenses, and uncertainty. We believe that many people benefit from solutions that reduce conflict and preserve dignity, especially in family law settings. But when your rights or the best interests of your children must be asserted through the court system, we are fully prepared to litigate.

Need Help with Elder Law? 

As you age, many new legal and financial decisions will need your attention: how to protect assets, arrange for care, and plan your estate, all based on your wishes. In South Carolina, elder law intersects with state Medicaid rules, guardianship and protective proceedings, probate, and long-term care planning. Our attorneys are familiar with all the legal intersections and how they could impact your plans, so you can trust your case with us.

In Columbia, the elder law cases and matters we often handle for locals include:

• Guardianship and protective proceedings when someone can no longer manage their own affairs
• Medicaid eligibility planning under South Carolina rules (including “spend-down” strategies)
• Estate planning: wills, trusts, advance directives, health care powers of attorney, and durable powers
• Probate and estate administration in South Carolina courts
• Addressing elder financial abuse, exploitation, or fraud
• Long-term care planning and arranging for care in nursing facilities, assisted living, or in-home care

We believe in making elder law approachable. We listen to your situation, explain your options in straightforward language, and lay out a path that aligns with your goals, family dynamics, and legal constraints. We stay current with changes in South Carolina Medicaid law, probate statutes, and guardianship procedures so that you can count on solid, up-to-date advice.

Contact Our Columbia Team for Family Law & Elder Law

If you are dealing with a family law issue or preparing for the future through elder law in Columbia, Collins Family & Elder Law Group can help. Let us guide you with our insight regarding South Carolina law, a compassionate approach, and a commitment to achieving outcomes that align with your priorities.

Looking for skilled help with your divorce, family law, or elder law case? Contact our Columbia lawyers today at (803) 590-6982. We're here to help and guide you.