The Supreme Court of South Carolina

RE: Palmetto Automated Child Support System  

 

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

As of August 1, 2019, the Palmetto Automated Child Support System (PACSS) was implemented statewide by the Clerks of Court and South Carolina Department of Social Services. PACSS is mandated by 45 CFR § 307.11 and establishes cases for both child and spousal support obligations. In order to conform with federal certification requirements, certain parameters are necessary for cases entered in PACSS.

Pursuant to the provisions of Article V, Section 4 of the South Carolina Constitution, this Order specifies certain information that shall be supplied by the Plaintiff when establishing support cases, and establishes dates upon which semi-monthly payments shall be made for PACSS cases. 

A. Support

In a child support matter, information on the following persons shall be supplied by the Plaintiff to the Court at the time of the initial filing:

Plaintiff or Custodial Parent:

• First and Last Name
• Social Security or other federal identification number
• Date of birth

Defendant or Non-Custodial Parent:

• First and Last Name
• Social Security or other federal identification number
• Date of birth (if known)

Child(ren):

• First and Last name
• Date of birth

In a spousal support action, information on the following persons shall be supplied by the Plaintiff to the Court at the time of the initial filing:

Plaintiff:

• First and Last Name
• Social Security or other federal identification number
• Date of birth

Defendant:

• First and Last Name
• Social Security or other federal identification number
• Date of birth (if known)

The confidential personal identifying information shall be filed in a separate document, pursuant to Rule 41.2, SCRCP.

B. Semi-monthly Payments

Where the Court orders child or spousal support to be paid on a semi-monthly basis using the PACSS system, the Order shall require the second monthly payment be made fifteen (15) days after the effective date. For example:

• 1st and 16th of every month (recommended)
• 2nd and 17th of every month
• 16th and the last day of the month

The Order shall specify the first date upon which a support payment is due. The above standard shall be used with all newly established support orders as well as previously issued orders where an obligation was ordered to be paid on a semi-monthly basis.

Columbia, South Carolina
October 20, 2020