Tamara’s Community Priorities
Tamara centers her Charleston-area community. She embraces the philosophy that it takes a village to raise a child and that caring communities sustain our great county.
During her 22 years as an Associate Probate Judge, Tamara has prioritized location and language accessible community education on probate-related issues for the benefit of urban, rural, and multi-cultural communities throughout Charleston County.
From wills, trusts, and estates to helping people with substance misuse and mental health challenges, the Probate Court addresses our community's most sensitive issues.
An Accessible Probate Court That Informs and Educates the Public
Help Families Discern Property Ownership
Tamara will help our neighbors avoid losing their properties to tax sales, foreclosures, or selling their properties for minimum or below reasonable values. Her vision prioritizes additional educational outreach to citizens spanning Charleston County, from McClellanville & Awendaw to Edisto, Johns & James Islands, and from North Charleston to West Ashley.
She will collaborate with the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation and other organizations to assist families who need help securing title to their properties.
Combat Elder and Fraud Abuse
Tamara will partner with local elder advocacy organizations to educate senior citizens on issues of elder abuse, fraud, and scams that prey on older adults.
Prioritize Probate Court Accessibility
Tamara will establish flexible staff schedules to make the Probate Court accessible during late afternoons and evenings. She will simplify filing paperwork and regularly bring the Probate Court to the community - especially the northern and southern reaches of the county - so that residents don’t have to struggle with downtown’s parking and flooding challenges
Compassionate Attention to Neighbors in Need
Tamara, who assisted in starting and presided over the first Mental Health Court in South Carolina, will adopt current best practices to divert our neighbors with substance misuse and mental health challenges away from stigmatization and toward holistic support, rehabilitation, and restoration.