Off the Record: A Legal Podcast
Welcome to Off the Record: A Legal Podcast, hosted by Kevin Rosenquist, where we explore critical legal matters with expert insights from Attorney Rhett Burney. In each episode, we dive deep into essential topics ranging from family law to estate planning and probate in South Carolina. Whether you’re navigating a divorce, planning your estate, or dealing with probate issues, Rhett brings clarity, expertise, and practical advice to help you understand the complexities of South Carolina’s legal landscape.
Episodes

Thursday Jan 02, 2025
Thursday Jan 02, 2025
Episode Summary
In this episode of Off the Record, attorney Rhett Burney discusses high-conflict divorces, their emotional and legal challenges, and strategies for navigating these tough cases. He shares insights on managing conflict, the importance of mediation, and effective communication during divorce proceedings. Bernie also provides advice on finding the right lawyer and managing client expectations in high-conflict situations.
Timestamps
[00:00 - 00:37] Introduction to Family Law and High Conflict Divorces[00:37 - 01:41] Emotional and Legal Challenges in High Conflict Divorces[01:47 - 02:57] Managing Conflict in High Conflict Divorces[03:49 - 04:25] Triggers of Conflict During Divorce (Affairs, Money, Children)[04:43 - 05:32] Managing Conflict: Mental and Physical Health Strategies[05:32 - 06:41] Importance of Listening to Your Lawyer and Support Systems[06:48 - 08:25] Role of Mediation in High Conflict Divorces[08:29 - 09:11] Success Rate of Mediation in High Conflict Cases[09:22 - 10:09] Unexpected Outcomes in Mediation (Reconciliation)[10:20 - 11:42] Legal Strategies for High Conflict Divorces[11:53 - 13:39] Managing Clients Who Are Stubborn or Resentful[13:47 - 14:58] Effective Communication Strategies in High Conflict Divorce[16:56 - 18:31] Advice for Those Heading into High Conflict Divorce
About The Show
"Off the Record" is a legal podcast hosted by attorney Rhett Burney, where he dives deep into various aspects of family law, particularly focusing on high-conflict divorces. In each episode, Rhett offers valuable insights into the emotional and legal challenges clients face during divorce proceedings, sharing strategies for managing conflict, the role of mediation, and the importance of effective communication. With his extensive experience in family law, he provides listeners with practical advice on navigating difficult situations, managing client expectations, and understanding the legal process in South Carolina, all while stressing the importance of empathy and thoughtful legal strategies.

Monday Dec 30, 2024
Monday Dec 30, 2024
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Off the Record Legal Podcast, attorney Rhett Burney discusses important aspects of family law in South Carolina, focusing on custody matters in divorce cases. Rhett explains the factors courts consider when determining custody, including the best interest of the child, parents’ schedules, and the child’s preferences. He covers topics such as 50/50 custody, primary and joint custody, modifications to custody arrangements, and the role of communication between parents. Rhett also highlights what to do if one parent is violating a custody agreement, and offers advice on how parents can improve their chances of securing favorable custody arrangements.
Timestamps:
00:00 – 00:28 – Introduction to family law in South Carolina
00:33 – 01:12 – Main factors courts consider in custody decisions
02:07 – 03:05 – 50/50 custody in South Carolina
05:05 – 06:31 – Factors for joint custody vs. sole custody
06:41 – 07:48 – How relocation affects custody decisions
07:48 – 08:32 – Special considerations for special needs children in custody
08:50 – 09:33 – Consequences of violating custody agreements
13:14 – 14:16 – Modifying custody agreements after divorce
15:03 – 17:33 – Improving chances of securing favorable custody arrangements
About The Show"Off the Record Legal Podcast" is hosted by attorney Rhett Burney and covers essential legal topics, with a focus on family law in South Carolina. In each episode, Rhett offers insightful discussions on common legal issues, such as child custody, visitation rights, and modifications to custody agreements. The podcast provides listeners with practical advice, helping them understand complex legal processes and navigate difficult situations, like custody disputes and enforcement of court orders. With expert guidance and real-world examples, the show is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to better understand family law matters.

Thursday Oct 17, 2024
Thursday Oct 17, 2024
In this episode of Off the Record, host Kevin Rosenquist and attorney Rhett Burney tackle the common misconceptions surrounding probate in South Carolina. They discuss people's typical fears about the probate process, including concerns about it being lengthy, complicated, and financially burdensome. Rhett emphasizes that while probate is often daunting, it can be manageable with the right professional guidance. The conversation highlights the importance of hiring an expert to navigate the process, comparing it to attempting a home renovation without experience. Tune in to better understand probate and dispel the myths that might be causing unnecessary anxiety.
Timestamps:
[00:02:49] Estate planning to avoid probate.
[00:04:36] Importance of written wills.
[00:07:19] Poor estate planning consequences.
[00:10:26] Common mistakes in probate process.
[00:14:45] Treasure map for loved ones.
[00:17:26] Estate planning for loved ones.
About The Show
Welcome to Off the Record: A Legal Podcast, hosted by Kevin Rosenquist, where we explore critical legal matters with expert insights from Attorney Rhett Burney. In each episode, we dive deep into essential topics ranging from family law to estate planning and probate in South Carolina.

Thursday Oct 10, 2024
Thursday Oct 10, 2024
In this episode of Off the Record, host Kevin Rosenquist and attorney Rhett Burney explore current trends in family law, specifically focusing on divorce rates in South Carolina. Rhett shares his insights, suggesting that divorce rates may be higher than the commonly cited statistic of 50%, estimating that approximately 55% to 60% of marriages end in divorce. They discuss societal attitudes towards commitment, the rise of alternative relationship structures, and the potential for declining marriage rates impacting the future of divorce lawyers. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of marriage and divorce, reflecting on how generational shifts influence these trends. Tune in for an engaging discussion that sheds light on the realities of family law today.
Timestamps:
[00:01:21] Divorce trends in South Carolina.
[00:04:35] Self-representation in legal matters.
[00:06:49] DIY divorce pitfalls.
[00:12:02] Importance of legal representation.
[00:14:10] Complexities of divorce matters.
[00:17:20] Bad advice during divorce cases.
About The Show
Welcome to Off the Record: A Legal Podcast, hosted by Kevin Rosenquist, where we explore critical legal matters with expert insights from Attorney Rhett Burney. In each episode, we dive deep into essential topics ranging from family law to estate planning and probate in South Carolina. Whether navigating a divorce, planning your estate, or dealing with probate issues, Rhett brings clarity, expertise, and practical advice to help you understand the complexities of South Carolina's legal landscape.

Thursday Oct 03, 2024
Thursday Oct 03, 2024
In this episode of Off The Record, host Kevin Rosenquist sits down with attorney Rhett Burney to explore the essentials of family law and estate planning in South Carolina. Rhett discusses the importance of estate planning, particularly in divorce, highlighting that everyone will face the reality of death and the necessity of preparing for it. He simplifies estate planning to determine what happens to our belongings after we pass away and emphasizes the importance of advanced directives, such as health care powers of attorney and living wills. The conversation underscores the need for legal documents that can assist individuals before death, particularly as they age or face health challenges. Tune in to gain insights on effectively planning for the future and protecting your loved ones.
Timestamps:
[00:02:10] Estate planning for everyone.
[00:04:02] Estate planning is important for families.
[00:07:09] DIY estate planning risks.
[00:12:18] Wills versus trusts explained.
[00:13:45] Importance of proper estate planning.
[00:17:21] Honest legal advice approach.
About The Show
Welcome to Off the Record: A Legal Podcast, hosted by Kevin Rosenquist, where we explore critical legal matters with expert insights from Attorney Rhett Burney. In each episode, we dive deep into essential topics ranging from family law to estate planning and probate in South Carolina. Whether navigating a divorce, planning your estate, or dealing with probate issues, Rhett brings clarity, expertise, and practical advice to help you understand the complexities of South Carolina's legal landscape.

Wednesday Sep 18, 2024
Wednesday Sep 18, 2024
In this episode of Off The Record, host Kevin Rosenquist sits down with attorney Rhett Burney to explore the essentials of family law in South Carolina. Rhett shares his motivations for practicing family law, revealing that his desire for variety and excitement drives him to thrive in this dynamic field. He discusses the fast-paced nature of his work, which involves frequent court appearances, mediation, and client interactions. The conversation highlights the broad spectrum of family law cases, including divorces, custody disputes, visitation issues, alimony, adoptions, and name changes. Tune in to gain insights into the challenges and rewards of practicing family law in South Carolina.
Timestamps:
[00:01:36-00:01:47] Common types of family law cases.
[00:06:07] Settling family law cases.
[00:08:07] Personalities driving legal trials.
[00:12:07] The value of mediation.
[00:14:49] Hiring a divorce attorney.
[00:15:30] The power of mindfulness.
About The Show
Welcome to Off the Record: A Legal Podcast, hosted by Kevin Rosenquist, where we explore critical legal matters with expert insights from Attorney Rhett Burney. In each episode, we dive deep into essential topics ranging from family law to estate planning and probate in South Carolina. Whether you're navigating a divorce, planning your estate, or dealing with probate issues, Rhett brings clarity, expertise, and practical advice to help you understand the complexities of South Carolina's legal landscape.