5 Best Family and Divorce Lawyers in Columbia (2026)

Ranked by real Google ratings and review volume · How we chose

By Lorian Hartfield, Real Estate and Financial Expert · ✓ Updated October 2026 · 8 min read

We compared 20 family and divorce lawyers in Columbia on Google Maps · 5 listed · How we rank

A custody schedule or a property split outlasts the paperwork that creates it, so the family and divorce lawyers in Columbia you hire matter for years, not weeks. Ratings on this page run from 4.6 to 4.9, while the review counts behind them run from 60 to 207, which makes the size of the track record as telling as the stars. Several of these firms also handle estates, adoption or military divorce, and that is where they start to differ.

Short answer: Lane Law Firm has the largest review base here, 4.7 stars across 207 Google reviews, followed by Melone Hatley, P.C. (4.6, 175 reviews) and the Law Office Of Montgomery and Hart, PLLC (4.7, 125 reviews). Pozsik & Carpenter Law Firm holds the top rating at 4.9, but on 60 reviews. Fees depend on the case, so ask for terms in writing.

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1. Lane Law Firm
2. Melone Hatley, P.C.
3. Law Office Of Montgome…
4. Masella Law Firm, P.A.
5. Pozsik & Carpenter Law…
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Family Law Firms, Compared Side by Side

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	Lane Law Firm	4.7 ★	207	Divorce and custody / largest review base	View ›
2	Melone Hatley, P.C.	4.6 ★	175	Military divorce / multi-attorney team	View ›
3	Law Office Of Montgomery and Hart, PLLC	4.7 ★	125	Settlements and family matters	View ›
4	Masella Law Firm, P.A.	4.7 ★	90	Military and contested divorces	View ›
5	Pozsik & Carpenter Law Firm	4.9 ★	60	Custody, adoption and estate planning	View ›

5 Best Family and Divorce Lawyers in Columbia (2026)

Each firm, in more detail

#1 Overall🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Lane Law Firm

4.7207 Google reviews

Lane Law Firm is a Columbia practice at 3600 Rosewood Drive, listed on Google as a family law, divorce and personal injury firm with real estate work as well. Reviewers name attorney Ryan Lane and describe divorces, custody arrangements and a guardianship case involving two young children. The office keeps weekday hours.

What people praise

Clients say they reached someone the same day they called
Attorney is described as patient and willing to explain every step
Reviewers mention clear custody agreements and smooth divorce proceedings
Staff reply to emails and calls, per several reviews

Worth knowing

12 one-star ratings sit among its 207 reviews
Office hours are weekdays only, ending at 4 PM on Fridays

Reputation scorecardrank in Columbia

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume207 · 98th

Confidencemoderate

Recency4 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown91% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The largest review base on the page keeps it in front, and most of the written praise centers on divorce and custody. A dependable first consultation for a contested or urgent case.

Website +1803-790-9958 Directions

3600 Rosewood Dr, Columbia, SC 29205

#2🕑 Open 6 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Melone Hatley, P.C.

4.6175 Google reviews

Melone Hatley, P.C. runs a family law office at 2805 Millwood Avenue in Columbia, handling divorce, child custody, spousal support and military divorce, according to its site. Google also lists estate planning and probate. Cases are worked by a wider team, and reviewers name several attorneys and staff members.

What people praise

One reviewer says an attorney was honest about cheaper do-it-yourself options
Staff are described as professional, attentive and caring
Saturday remote hours are listed on the firm's site
Covers military divorce and spousal support specifically

Worth knowing

Some reviewers mention a paid strategy session close to $400
16 one-star ratings sit among its 175 reviews, and the low ratings describe consultations that felt rushed

Reputation scorecardrank in Columbia

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume175 · 93rd

Confidencemoderate

Recency4 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown91% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Ratings here are polarized: 159 five-star and 16 one-star, with nothing in between. Confirm the consultation fee and who you will meet before booking.

Website +1839-213-4545 Directions

2805 Millwood Ave First Floor, Columbia, SC 29205

#3🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Law Office Of Montgomery and Hart, PLLC

4.7125 Google reviews

Law Office Of Montgomery and Hart, PLLC is at 2229 Bull Street in Columbia and appears on Google as a general law firm and legal services office, so it isn't family law only. Reviewers describe attorney Justin Montgomery helping with a settlement between ex-partners and with a legal matter for a parent. Weekday hours run 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

What people praise

Clients say Montgomery keeps them updated and answers questions
One reviewer credits him with helping both sides reach a fair agreement
Described as patient, thorough and professional
Reviewers mention help with some court-related expenses

Worth knowing

Google lists it as a general law firm, so ask about family law experience
One detailed lower-rated review concerns communication and billing on a property dispute

Reputation scorecardrank in Columbia

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume125 · 88th

Confidencemoderate

Recency6 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown92% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A 4.7 across 125 reviews, with praise concentrated on one attorney. Its reviews cover more than divorce and custody, so match your case to what clients actually describe.

Website +1888-505-2031 Directions

2229 Bull St, Columbia, SC 29201

#4🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Masella Law Firm, P.A.

4.790 Google reviews

Masella Law Firm, P.A. is a family law and divorce practice at 917 Calhoun Street in Columbia. Reviewers describe attorney Bob Masella handling a long military divorce, a contested separation and custody-related matters. The office closes at 3:00 PM on Fridays and keeps standard weekday hours otherwise.

What people praise

A client with a 28-year military spouse credits him with knowing military divorce rules
Reviewers contrast quick email replies with slow lawyers they used before
Calm, reassuring manner is mentioned in several reviews
Stayed with a divorce that dragged on for three years, per one client

Worth knowing

Smaller review base than the firms above it, at 90 reviews

Reputation scorecardrank in Columbia

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume90 · 83rd

Confidencemoderate

Recency4 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown93% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Six one-star ratings are the only low marks in 90 reviews, and the written praise is specific. A good fit for a drawn-out or military-related divorce.

Website +1803-748-9990 Directions

917 Calhoun St, Columbia, SC 29201

#5🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Pozsik & Carpenter Law Firm

4.960 Google reviews

Pozsik & Carpenter Law Firm is at 1314 Lincoln Street, Suite 305 in Columbia and bills itself as a custody and divorce practice. Its site lists divorce, separation, child custody, child support, adoption, orders of protection, cases involving DSS, DUI, estate planning and probate. Reviewers focus on attorney Josh Pozsik.

What people praise

Reviewers describe Pozsik as sharp, calm and a strong negotiator
A military father praises his work in a custody case lasting more than 18 months
Adoption cases are mentioned by name in a review
Follow-up after a consultation to confirm understanding

Worth knowing

Smallest review base on the page at 60 reviews
Newest reviews on Google date from earlier this year

Reputation scorecardrank in Columbia

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume60 · 73rd

Confidenceearly

Recency7 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown97% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Its 4.9 is the highest rating here, resting on the fewest reviews. A promising choice for custody or adoption, but the track record is shorter than the firms above.

Website +1803-764-1105 Directions

1314 Lincoln St #305, Columbia, SC 29201

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How the numbers are built

Each figure on this page comes from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the live Google star average. Review volume is how many clients have rated the firm, compared with other Columbia family law practices. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.7 from 200 clients carries more weight than a 4.9 from 60. Recency reflects how recently people are still reviewing. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How family law fees work in Columbia

Family law fees depend on whether a case is contested, how many court dates it needs and whether the firm bills a flat fee or by the hour. We don’t show a price table because the Google data doesn’t give reliable local ranges for this kind of work. Ask for a written fee agreement and find out whether the first consultation is free or paid.

Family law offices around Columbia

These offices sit in Columbia on Rosewood Drive, Millwood Avenue, Bull, Calhoun and Lincoln streets. Looking for a divorce lawyer near me? Each listing includes a phone number and directions so you can reach the closest option.

Questions to ask before you choose a family lawyer

Is the first consultation free, and if not, what does it cost?
How much of your caseload is family law?
Who will handle my case day to day?
Do you bill a flat fee or hourly, and what is the retainer?
How do you handle custody disputes that go to court?

Frequently asked questions

Which of these firms handles military divorce?

Melone Hatley’s website lists military divorce, and a Masella Law Firm reviewer credits Bob Masella with knowing military divorce rules. Ask any firm about its experience with military benefits and retirement division.

Is the first consultation free?

It varies. Melone Hatley’s site invites a free consultation, while some reviewers mention a paid strategy session of close to $400. Confirm terms before you book.

The short version

Lane Law Firm is the safe default on review depth, while Pozsik & Carpenter has the highest rating on fewer reviews. Whoever you pick, get the fee terms in writing before the first meeting.

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