How long do I have to respond to this summons?

You have 30 days from the date you were served to file and serve your Answer to the Complaint.

Where do I serve my Answer?

Serve a copy to Dawn M. Berry, Legal Department, Dorchester County DSS, 1452 Boone Hill Road, Suite C, Summerville, SC 29483.

What happens if I don't respond?

The court may enter a default judgment and can make orders about the children's custody without your participation.

Court Notice — 1452 Boone Hill Road, Suite C, Summerville, SC (2025-DR-18-0726)

Official courthouse record · Indexed in NoticeRegistry archive · AI-enriched for research

Child welfare action

Affects:DefendantsGovernment AgenciesHeirs

The South Carolina Department of Social Services filed a dependency/neglect family-court action concerning three minor children born 2013, 2015, and 2017. Defendant Crystal Tindal is summoned to answer the complaint and must respond within 30 days and serve the DSS attorney.

Key Takeaways

Defendant Crystal Tindal must answer within 30 days of service
Case involves three minor children born 2013, 2015, 2017
Serve a copy of your Answer to DSS attorney Dawn M. Berry
Complaint was filed June 23, 2025 in Dorchester County

Deadline · Response Deadline

June 23, 3070

Pro users tracking court notice like this were alerted the second it filed. Never miss a deadline

Published: May 15, 2026 · 4 days ago
Category: Court Notice
City: Summerville
Address: 1452 Boone Hill Road, Suite C, Summerville, SC
Case #: 2025-DR-18-0726

View full case dossier

All filings for #2025-DR-18-0726 with AI case analysis

If you don't respond

If you fail to answer within 30 days of being served, the court may enter a default judgment, and DSS may obtain orders regarding the custody or care of the children without your input.

What to do next

1
Obtain a copy of the Complaint
Request a copy from the Dorchester County Clerk of Court as soon as possible to review the allegations and note the June 23, 2025 filing date.
2
Prepare and file an Answer
Draft your Answer and file it with the Dorchester County Clerk of Court within 30 days of service, and serve a copy on Dawn M. Berry at the DSS address.
3
Get legal help
Contact a family law attorney or legal aid immediately to protect your rights and meet the 30-day deadline.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to respond to this summons?: You have 30 days from the date you were served to file and serve your Answer to the Complaint.
Where do I serve my Answer?: Serve a copy to Dawn M. Berry, Legal Department, Dorchester County DSS, 1452 Boone Hill Road, Suite C, Summerville, SC 29483.
What happens if I don't respond?: The court may enter a default judgment and can make orders about the children's custody without your participation.

The suggestions and answers above are AI-generated for general information only. They can be wrong, and we don't take responsibility for their accuracy. Talk to a qualified professional before acting on them.

Legal terms in this notice

Complaint: The initial written allegations filed asking the court to take action.
Answer: The defendant's written response admitting or denying the Complaint's allegations.
Summons: A document notifying a person they are being sued and must respond in court.
Default judgment: A court decision entered against someone who fails to respond or appear.

Full Notice Text

STATEOFSOUTHCAROLINACOUNTYOFDORCHESTERINTHEFAMILYCOURTFORTHEFIRSTJUDICIALCIRCUITDOCKETNO.2025-DR-18-0726SOUTHCAROLINADEPARTMENTOFSOCIALSERVICESVERSUSCRYSTALTINDAL,SHAWNRICHARDSON,DEBORAHRICHARDSON,KARENKNIGHT.INTHEINTERESTSOF:MINORCHILDRENBORNIN2013,2015AND2017.TODEFENDANT:CRYSTALTINDALYOUAREHEREBYSUMMONEDandrequiredtoanswertheComplaintinthisactionfiledwiththeClerkofCourtforDorchesterCountyonJune23,2025,at4:14pm.Uponproofofinterest,acopyoftheComplaintwillbedeliveredtoyouuponrequestfromtheDorchesterCountyClerkofCourt,andyoumustserveacopyofyourAnswertotheComplaintonthePlaintiff,theSouthCarolinaDepartmentofSocialServices,attheofficeofitsAttorney,DawnMBerry,LegalDepartmentoftheDorchesterCountyDepartmentofSocialServices,1452BooneHillRoad,SuiteC,Summerville,SC29483withinthirty(30

Court Notice — 1452 Boone Hill Road, Suite C, Summerville, SC (2025-DR-18-0726)

What to do next

Frequently asked questions

Legal terms in this notice

See also

More from South Carolina Department of Social Services(12)→