For separation agreements in Charleston, Berkeley & Dorchester counties. Send a confidential message — we'll reply by email or phone, whichever you prefer.
Hall & Means represents clients negotiating separation agreements across Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties. Mary Ann Hall and Jessica Means are Charleston separation agreement attorneys focused on family law — whether you're considering separation as an alternative to divorce, preparing the financial framework before filing, or addressing custody and support without litigation, you'll work directly with your attorney.
Why Hall & Means
Mary Ann Hall and Jessica Means lead Hall & Means together, representing clients through divorce, custody, alimony, and the financial decisions that come with them. Both attorneys focus on family law in the 9th and 1st Judicial Circuit Family Courts, with deep local relationships across mediators, guardians ad litem, and financial professionals throughout the tri-county region.
Meet your attorneys →Built around advocating for our clients in divorce, custody, and family transitions. The Family Law Hub reflects that focus — written for the questions our clients actually ask.
Three-county family law practice across the 9th and 1st Judicial Circuit Family Courts, with a local network of mediators, guardians ad litem, and financial professionals.
You work with Mary Ann or Jessica. Your calls and emails are returned by your attorney — not screened by a paralegal, not routed to an associate.
What to expect
From the first call to active representation, the path is the same for every client. We tell you what's happening, what it costs, and what choices are yours to make — before we ask you to commit to anything.
Phase 1
You reach out by phone or message. One of our staff or firm team members responds — typical response time within 24 hours. Confidentiality starts with the first interaction. The first conversation is focused on understanding your situation, not selling you on services.
Response within 24 hoursPhase 2
We schedule a 2-hour consultation and review your financial picture and custody status. An initial retainer is quoted at that consultation, based on the facts of your case — initial because the final cost depends on how the case unfolds. We lay out what the separation agreement needs to cover: property, support, custody, debts, and contingencies if divorce follows later.
Attorney-client privileged from word onePhase 3
If we're a fit, we put a representation agreement in place and begin drafting. A well-drafted separation agreement anticipates the issues that come up later — that's what makes it hold up.
Drafting on your timelineFinal Phase
We negotiate with opposing counsel on terms you've authorized, revise the draft as needed, and finalize the agreement. Once signed, the document is enforceable. You retain authority over substantive decisions — settlement terms, signatures on agreements, and key strategy choices. We handle procedural matters (drafting iterations, scheduling, extensions to keep negotiations moving) without asking permission for each step. Throughout, you work directly with Mary Ann or Jessica.
Direct attorney access throughoutHub article
SC's one-year separation rule is also the legal foundation for many separation agreements — what it covers and what it doesn't.
Read article →Hub article
The pre-filing steps that protect your finances, your records, and your access to funds — relevant whether you separate, divorce, or both.
Read article →Hub article
How marital property gets divided under SC law — the same principles that shape a strong separation agreement.
Read article →Get in touch
Submit the form and we'll reply within one business day — by email or phone, whichever you prefer. Everything you share is protected by attorney-client privilege from the first message.
Phone
Office
1816 Belgrade Avenue, Ste. 101
Charleston, SC 29407
Hours
Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
