In the late 1970's when I
worked with Jim Coogler, he was so conscious about the need for decision making to reside with the parties that he turned down an offer to locate the
mediation offices of the court
pilot project in the court house and instead rented space in a building 6 blocks away.
South Carolina strongly encourages parents to
work out custody disputes and offers several programs, including court - ordered
mediation and the
pilot Visitation Involvement Parenting program.