Choosing who will serve as your agent under Power of Attorney may seem obvious at first glance. For instance, a married individual may easily choose their spouse to serve as their agent. Choosing one stable, trustworthy agent to manage your affairs if you cannot do so yourself may seem like a no-brainer, but what about […]
Choosing an Agent under Power of Attorney- And an Alternate! Read More »
Regarding revocable trusts, one of the most important issues estate planning attorneys deal with is how to distribute assets to beneficiaries at the death of the client. For instance, should assets be distributed outright, in trust until the beneficiary reaches a certain age, or should the beneficiary be protected from themselves or from others? Separate,
Protecting your Beneficiaries Through Ongoing Trusts Read More »
With the divorce rate in the United States approaching 50%, estate planning for blended families is a big part of any estate planning practice. It is common for spouses to have separate children from prior marriages. Most people want to ensure their children receive at least a portion of their assets after death. One concern,
Estate Planning Issues for Blended Families Read More »
November is Alzheimer’s awareness month. Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder, NOT a normal part of aging. It is caused by brain cell damage and, as it progresses, cognitive ability declines, and simple tasks become troublesome. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, every 65 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Foundation reported
Estate Planning with Alzheimer’s Read More »
The term “Probate” is a broad term that can often elicit confusion and is misunderstood by individuals when reviewing their estate plan or administering an estate. Simply put, Probate is the process whereby a person’s estate is settled, and it is overseen by the Probate Court in the county where the person was domiciled at
What is Probate: A Discussion of Fact v. Fiction Read More »
Mediation is now required in the majority of courts in South Carolina, which have adopted South Carolina’s Rules for Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”). Probate Courts do not fall within the ADR rules, but the Probate Court has adopted its own rules on mediation that are implemented in most courts throughout the State. When litigating a
Mediating in Probate Court Read More »
In many instances, a married individual will more than adequately provide for their spouse in their estate planning documents. However, there are circumstances in which wills and trust materials do not adequately provide for a spouse. For instance, what if a married individual completely omits a spouse from inheriting his or her assets after death?
What Rights Does a Surviving Spouse Have to Inherit? Read More »
Oftentimes, there are estate planning tools (such as trusts, wills, and powers of attorney) that an individual can develop with the help of a Wills and Trusts attorney in order to plan for the future. Most individuals are able to contemplate what to do with their assets once they are gone, or what end of
The Basics of Guardianships and Conservatorships in South Carolina Read More »
An Estate Plan consists of legal documents that govern distribution of your assets at death andmemorialize your wishes regarding healthcare and financial decisions if you are incapacitated. Creating an estate plan is a necessary step to ensure the money and property you own at the timeof your death passes to your loved ones in the
Will vs. Trust? How to Choose the Right Estate Plan Read More »
Just five years ago, South Carolina adopted a new Act governing all Powers of Attorney executed on or after January 1, 2017. While South Carolina attorneys have been drafting Powers of Attorney for decades, these news laws, collectively termed the South Carolina Uniform Power of Attorney Act (SCUPOAA), give attorneys and their clients more guidance
DRAFTING A POWER OF ATTORNEY: THE TIME IS NOW Read More »
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