As the executor of someone's will, it is not your job to give opinions on the rights or wrongs of the deceased’s wishes or try to correct things you see as unfair. Your role is to merely carry out the wishes laid out in their will. What do you do, however, if someone...
Estate Planning
Whether to get a living trust instead of a will
Property owners in South Carolina may want to consider preparing an estate plan if they do not have one already. An estate plan can include a will or a trust, both of which are used to pass assets and property on to beneficiaries. Trusts offer some benefits that wills...
The importance of staying on top of beneficiary designations
South Carolina residents and others are encouraged to examine their beneficiary designations on a regular basis. Doing so may help to ensure that assets go to a close friend, family member or preferred charitable cause as opposed to going to an ex-spouse or estranged...
When to review an estate plan
While making an estate plan is an important step for people in South Carolina, keeping that estate plan updated is just as important. For example, an estate should be updated each time a person has a new child. A will can name a guardian for a child as well as a...
Setting up an asset protection trust
Some people who are creating an estate plan may want to consider an asset protection trust. An APT may be a revocable living trust or an irrevocable trust. Irrevocable trusts might be foreign or domestic. While South Carolina does not allow domestic APTs, there may be...
You should avoid these estate planning mistakes
Those who are planning their estates must make sure that their plans are correct and mistake-free. If there are any errors, it can have ramifications for beneficiaries and relatives who are left to deal with the fallout. Probate and estate litigation are difficult and...
How to avoid losing money when passing on an inheritance
South Carolina residents who are going through the estate planning process will want to know the best ways to leave an inheritance to loved ones. Taxes, lawsuits and divorces can force a child or grandchild to give up the majority of the money left to them. However,...
Estate planning mistakes to avoid in South Carolina
It's common for people to feel uncomfortable when thinking about the end of their lives. However, estate planning can make the end of life easier and provide valuable assistance to loved ones. There are several mistakes to avoid when trying to plan for the future of...
Families need an estate plan now and in the future
In South Carolina, families are best off when they take the time and invest the effort to plan for the future. One of the best ways to do this is to have an estate plan in place for now and the future. In order to properly plan, families will need to put aside their...
Reasons to use a trust in an estate plan
People in South Carolina who are creating an estate plan may want to include a number of documents. They may need a will, a power of attorney that appoints someone to make financial decisions on their behalf in case of incapacity, and a health care proxy or living...