This week’s iCollege theme is the intersection between culture and legal practice. It is a topic that is ripe for discussion based on something as simple as the section of a law code titled “separation agreement sc.” The image being one of alien intelligences studying human beings, it would seem curious not to start with something that is so closely related to human relationships. But the truth is that these agreements, which are an important tool throughout human society, provide an interesting window onto what human beings value. They provide a mirror of our legal system, and they also give us insight into the culture as a whole. This can be done through the simple observation that many cultures would not choose to come together in a way that would require legal separation. Of course, there are even religious beliefs that result in similar conclusions.
So, what is a south carolina separation agreement anyway? In the most general of terms, it is a legal document in which a person or group decides mutually to be separate. Most often, this refers to something like the taxing of property, where two adjacent property owners simply agree to split the costs of improving the land, or if there is a pecuniary value at stake, then they can decide to trade their prominence to their mutual benefit. It could also involve the separation of assets in anticipation of a divorce. In South Carolina, sections exist that allow for a legal separation agreement, which is a legally binding contract between the parties of a marriage. Within this document will be guidelines for the custody of children, the disposition of property, alimony agreements, and other such factors. These laws are allowed under the state constitution as a way to alleviate the family court system and allow for amicable dissolution of the union. Regardless, these agreements speak volumes to the human mentality and, in this case, the South Carolinian culture, around issues like ownership and wealth. It is therefore easy to consider the sociological value these beliefs would carry if the human existed in another form. In some instances, perhaps life as ants where entire colonies would choose to intermix all property and born offspring among the population to ensure balance of resources. In other case, perhaps separate ownership and property might derive something more akin to a hive creature where order and control requires total ownership of each member of the colony by the dominant member. These contrasting concepts show that human beings think about separation as a necessary part of their cultural existence. What we can learn from this is that separation is important to interpersonal relationships, which in turn helps make up human populations. In many cases, individuals will marry someone who is from the same region, speaks the same language, and shares common beliefs, but as a general matter, it is not critical to have these things in common to enjoy a successful relationship.
The laws that govern corresponding separation agreements are found in the S.C. Code of Laws under Title 20. The most common application of the separation agreement in South Carolina is that provided for in Section 20-3-601 et. seq. Applying this law to a separation agreement, South Carolinians must follow certain guidelines before arriving at this point. That is, both parties in a marriage must reside in separate residences, and residence means, simply, home. While this seems straightforward, the process can become lengthy because the couple must meet this boundary for at least 12 months in the state before applying for a dissolution agreement. Once the court grants this agreement, it is then up to the couple to decide how long the separation will take for the ultimate final dissolution. A South Carolina separation agreement will outline the distribution of property and assets, as well as the general custody accord, for parties to agree upon separation. The agreement requires signature by both parties and has to serve the general interest of the state and the married couple. Most often, the agreement will specify physical and legal custody of children and outline how they will be shared between separate households. While such an agreement can save couples the time and money it takes to use the courts, it may not be ideal for every couple. For those in alien societies that value separation of property distinctively, it can provide a great way to manage legal issues that might otherwise cause messy battles.
For example, a group of creatures from the Clarxas system live on a planet that is designated as water. Property lies beneath the waves, but the creatures that inhabit the water have learned to manage the property in a sustainable way. To do this, they separate the submerged surfaces of the land, with clearly demarcated boundaries, by way of biological fences. When one of the owners of these property buffers finds that a certain piece is being used inefficiently, then they will appeal to the board of property allocation (which is a large octopus using tentacles to play the part of a judge) for a realignment of boundaries. This is very different from the concept of separation as humans imagine it, because the property owners simply disintegrate the old boundary and configure it to their liking. This means that there is no need for agreements as humans understand them. If an agreement was put in place and one of these creatures violated it, they could simply remap the new buffer to fit their tendencies. If we think about cultures that demand distinct adherence to agreements, we can consider other alternative societies. For example, we might be able to consider a soft-skinned bipedal creature that lives in a place where everything is covered in ice, with nothing but a tube of blood cells transported from one end of the body to the other (the frozen venue). This race relies on strict adherence to agreements, because without that, they would end up frozen stiff, with no social recourse. The result could be death, and this may change the value system of these creatures.
In conclusion, the separation agreement sc can teach the alien scientist what it means to humans, and therefore humans should be giving careful consideration to their place in culture. By taking a broader look, a separation agreement can be a tool to that intersection between culture and the legal system, and this is an important point that should be considered as a binding contract that can place two people and their assets together, and forever apart.
For more information on legal separation agreements, you can visit this resource from the South Carolina Bar.