How much does it cost to hire William for a child custody case?

Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. William walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

Does William offer a free consultation?

William charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office. Some child custody attorneys offer free consults — check William's current terms during booking.

How long do child custody cases in South Carolina typically take?

Simple child custody matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. William gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

Can William take my case if I'm outside Chester?

William is licensed in South Carolina. Matters governed by South Carolina law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — William will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

What should I bring to my first meeting with William?

Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. William will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

Is William accepting new child custody clients right now?

William's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Unclaimed · Is this you?

William C. Keels, Child Custody Attorney in Chester, South Carolina

Over 53 years of legal practice · focused on Child Custody, Divorce, and Estate Planning · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review

MemberatStrickland and Keels, P.A.

Chester South, SC

Practicing child custody in Chester since 1973.

53+: Years practicing
5.0 ★: 1 client review
2: Bar admissions

Practices in

Child Custody Divorce Estate Planning Family Law General Personal Injury +3 more →

Are you William C. Keels?

This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.

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Quick answer

William C. Keels is a member based in Chester, SC. The practice focuses on Child Custody, Divorce, and Estate Planning. William has over 53 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Strickland and Keels, P.A.. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.

Based in: Chester, SC
Experience: over 53 years
Known for: Child Custody · Divorce · Estate Planning

Handles Child Custody, Divorce, and Estate Planning matters from Chester, SC.
Over 53 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
Recognized with AV Preeminent.

Areas of practice

William's practice areas in Chester

William concentrates on child custody, divorce, estate planning, family law, and general. Each area below outlines the kind of case William handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Child Custody cases in Chester, South Carolina

William takes child custody matters in Chester, South Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.

Divorce cases in Chester, South Carolina

William takes divorce matters in Chester, South Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.

Estate Planning cases in Chester, South Carolina

William takes estate planning matters in Chester, South Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.

Family Law cases in Chester, South Carolina

William takes family law matters in Chester, South Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.

General cases in Chester, South Carolina

William takes general matters in Chester, South Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.

Biography

William C. Keels, child custody attorney serving Chester

Mr. William C. Keels is a lawyer practicing family law, divorce, child custody and 7 other areas of law. William received a B.A. degree from Wofford College in 1965, and has been licensed for 53 years. William practices at Strickland and Keels, P.A. in Chester, SC.

William's approach to child custody cases

The kind of cases William takes

William reviews new inquiries case-by-case for child custody, divorce, and estate planning matters in Chester and the surrounding South Carolina area.

Credentials

Credentials — where William studied and practices

University of South Carolina School of Law
J.D. · 1973
Wofford College
B.A. · 1965

Jurisdictions

William's state bar admissions

U.S. District Court,
1973 · ACTIVE
South Carolina
1973 · ACTIVE

William studied at J.D. in University of South Carolina School of Law and B.A. in Wofford College.

Law school and academic background

William completed J.D. in University of South Carolina School of Law and B.A. in Wofford College. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice William runs in South Carolina is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

William's legal honors and published work

William has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

AV Preeminent

Legal awards and honors

AV Preeminent.

Affiliations

William's professional memberships and bar associations

Chester County and American Bar Associations South Carolina Bar (Member, Sixth Judicial Circuit Delegate, 1982-1988) South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association
membership

Locations

William C. Keels's office in Chester

William's primary office is at 126 Main St., Chester, SC, 29706. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Strickland and Keels, P.A.

126 Main St.

Chester, SC 29706

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Client feedback

Client reviews of William C. Keels — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review

Every review below is from a verified client of William. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing child custody attorneys in Chester.

5.0

1 client review

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once William C. Keels claims this profile.

Read all reviews

Hiring guide

How to hire William C. Keels — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new child custody attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with William usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

William charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; William will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a child custody attorney in Chester, South Carolina

A short list to run through before you commit: How many child custody matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for William

William discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in child custody practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every child custody matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. William confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

William's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many child custody practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about William C. Keels

How much does it cost to hire William for a child custody case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. William walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does William offer a free consultation?
William charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office. Some child custody attorneys offer free consults — check William's current terms during booking.
How long do child custody cases in South Carolina typically take?
Simple child custody matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. William gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can William take my case if I'm outside Chester?
William is licensed in South Carolina. Matters governed by South Carolina law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — William will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with William?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. William will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is William accepting new child custody clients right now?
William's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Child Custody attorneys serving Chester, Columbia and Charleston in South Carolina

William handles child custody matters throughout South Carolina. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified child custody attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If William's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these child custody attorneys in Chester handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.