Cooper v. Scdss

Summary

The South Carolina Supreme Court held that the family court erred in denying the foster parents’ motions to intervene in the Department of Social Services removal actions and affirmed the court’s denial of joinder motions. It reversed the denial of intervention, affirmed the denial of joinder of both the foster parents and the Department, and remanded the consolidation issue for further consideration. The decision emphasizes that intervention rights for foster parents are permissive, not absolute, and that best‑interest considerations remain paramount.