For Individuals

Following is a partial list of services offered in the areas of criminal and domestic (family) law:

- Collaborative/Cooperative Law: Separation and divorce can be emotionally and financially draining on all parties, including children. Collaborative and Cooperative Law is a relatively new approach in Charleston, SC to resolving disputes. Both options are designed to give control of the process and outcome to the parties while minimizing the negative impact of separation or divorce on all family members. Parties agree to negotiate a settlement before proceeding to court, often with the assistance of skilled neutral financial or parenting experts as a cost-saving and effective tool to reach a settlement agreement.

- Representation:In family court cases in which you choose a collaborative/cooperative path towards resolution, Jill will represent you throughout the entire negotiation and legal process. Jill's rates are reasonable and tailored to the case; most cases are assessed at an hourly rate, with charges deducted from the payment of an initial retainer fee.

- Mediation: Whether a case has been filed or not, mediation is an option to consider as a cost-effective process for creating a settlement agreement suitable for filing in court. If neither party is represented by counsel, this option is optimal for couples who work well together, are both well-informed as to the financial situation, and have minimal conflict regarding financial or children's issues. It's important to note that the mediator is a neutral who can not give legal advice to either party or file the Agreement in court.

- Prenuptial Agreements: If you are planning to get married, a prenuptial agreement is recommended as an insurance policy. It's something you hope you'll never need, but it can provide you with peace of mind as you embark on the next phase of life, particularly when you or your soon-to-be-spouse have already established yourselves professionally/financially. Jill will work with you to create an agreement tailored to your specific situation and aspirations.

- Guardian Ad Litem: If you are seeking to adopt a step-child (or other child) and/or change a child's last name, South Carolina law requires that a Guardian ad Litem be appointed, even if there is nobody contesting the adoption/name change.

- Federal Court Appeals: If you or a loved one have been convicted of a federal crime and wish to appeal your conviction or sentence, Jill will research, draft and file an appeal brief to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia. If needed, she will appear at oral argument as well. Jill works efficiently and charges competitive rates for these services. Call 843-819-0557 for more information.