South Carolina Department of Social Services v. Tharp

Chandler, Judge:

The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) was successful in terminating the parental rights of Kathleen Tharp (Mother) and Albert Tharp (Father). 1 Family Court ordered DSS to pay the fees of both the attorney and Guardian ad Litem (GAL) appointed to represent Mother. DSS appeals the assessment of fees.

We affirm in part, reverse in part and remand.

FACTS

Mother is a paranoid schizophrenic whose two children, ages 13 and 11, have been in DSS custody since 1984. When it became apparent that Mother would never be capable of adequately caring for the children, Family…