Stevens Firm - August 2019

Summertime Gazpacho Gazpacho, an Andalusian soup made of blended vegetables and traditionally served cold, is the perfect refresher on a warm summer day. • 2 1/2 lbs ripe tomatoes; cored, seeded, and cut into 1-inch chunks • 1 small cucumber; peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch chunks • 1 red bell pepper; cored, seeded, and sliced into ribbons Ingredients

The Magic of Mediation How Mediation Can Benefit Your Divorce Case Although most marriage vows include the phrase “until death do us part,” statistics show that less than 50% of marriages in the U.S. will actually last that long. Sadly, divorce is more commonplace now than at any other time in history — both in South Carolina and across the nation. As a result, alternative forms of dispute resolution, which allow people to exert more control over the outcomes of their court cases, have grown in popularity. One of the most prevalent is mediation, and, because it’s now required by the South Carolina Family Court, it can be a great option for those who either don’t want to litigate in court or can’t afford to. How Does Family Court Mediation Work? Mediation sessions offer divorcing couples a way to civilly discuss the issues surrounding the end of their marriage, like child custody, equitable distribution of marital assets and debts, alimony, and fee payments. This differs from court litigation, where terms are decided by a judge. Mediation sessions usually take place in a private office under the guidance of a professional mediator, and we recommend selecting either a certified Family Court mediator or a retired Family Court judge to set your session up for success. What Are the Advantages for Divorce Clients? The American Bar Association lists a plethora of benefits to mediation, including affordability, freedom to customize your settlement, quicker resolution, a less stressful atmosphere, and lower legal bills post-divorce — the latter due to the fact that people are more likely to follow a divorce order they’ve had a say in creating. We’ve seen many clients reap these rewards over the years. How Can an Attorney Help? Whether you’re ordered to participate in the mediation process or you choose to try it, an experienced South Carolina Family Court attorney is an essential partner. A lawyer can offer personalized representation to ensure you get everything you’re entitled to, and their knowledge can help guide your decisions. If you’re in search of a competent, experienced lawyer to partner with, don’t hesitate to call The Stevens Firm.

• 1 small Vidalia onion, peeled and cubed • 1/4 cup basil leaves • 1 clove garlic, peeled • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 2 tbsp sherry vinegar • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1. Place a blender and medium mixing bowl on your workstation. 2. Divide the tomato chunks, cucumber pieces, and bell pepper slices evenly between blender and bowl. Place entire onion in blender. 3. Add basil, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper to blender. Blend on low, gradually raising speed to high until smooth, about 2 minutes. 4. Add blender contents to bowl and mix until just broken up, about 10–20 seconds. 5. Let mixture sit in fridge for a minimum of 2 hours. Transfer to bowls and serve. Directions

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