Debra E. Stokes received her Certification in Divorce Mediation on March 17, 1992, through the Divorce Mediation Institute in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is a certified and approved Family Court Mediator by the South Carolina Board of Arbitrator and Mediation. She is included on the roster of approved Family Court mediators maintained at the South Carolina Court Administration Office. She is a former approved mediator for the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina. Since 1992, she has successfully mediated family law cases for attorneys and their clients in Charleston and Berkeley Counties.
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ABOUT MEDIATION
In most of our cases, we utilize mediation at some point. A case can be mediated at any point in the dispute, including before litigation, during litigation, the day before the trial and even after the trial if there will be an appeal. There are many advantages to mediation for parties going through a divorce or separation. Mediation allows parties to maintain a degree of control over the outcome of their case that they will not have in a trial. We recommend that both parties be represented by their separate attorneys in mediation. Often, entire cases can be resolved in a mediation at a fraction of the cost of a full length trial. Mediation is useful in custody and visitation cases because it allows the parties to work through those very difficult issues without involving the Court and, most importantly, without involving their children. Many parties find that mediation can often be the beginning of more productive communication between the parties, concerning the many issues which will continue to arise as to their children, past the age of eighteen, through college, marriage, births, illnesses and death. We are proud that during over 28 years of law practice, we have assisted many parties in amicably resolving their disputes. And, remember, mediation is a "win-win" situation for everyone included because, if for any reason you are unable to conclude your case in mediation, the entire process is confidential and nothing used in the mediation may be used in Court by either party.
FACILITIES
Our office is equipped with several conference rooms which will accommodate the various parties to the mediation. Our staff will assure that you are comfortable during the process. In the event that a mediation goes into the lunch hour, we will provide lunch for you.
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