A key step in the probate process is submitting the decedent's will to the court for approval. Until the judge accepts the will as valid, the process cannot move forward and the decedent's heirs and beneficiaries cannot receive their inheritances. Five will...
In South Carolina, a person closely related to a person who has died is their heir and gets their assets. The court will give the entire estate to the closest heirs if someone dies without a will, assuming that person or persons outlives them by at least 120 hours....
The condition of your estate in South Carolina after you pass will depend on several factors. One of them will be whether or not you are in debt. If you are, your estate may be subjected to a probate sale. This process entails the sale of assets to satisfy your...
In South Carolina, probate courts exist to ensure that the estate of someone who passes away settles its debts and taxes. Additionally, probate confirms that beneficiaries named in a will receive the assets or other property as dictated by the deceased. During the...
When a resident of South Carolina dies without a will, their estate goes through probate. The process can be tedious and drawn out, leaving the person’s loved ones waiting for their inheritance. There are ways to avoid the high costs of probate, however. Understanding...
Probate ensures that a decedent's assets are distributed to the right people. This process is generally required in South Carolina, but it isn't in every situation. A retirement account is generally exempt from having to pass through probate if the owner meets certain...
An executor of an estate has many vital responsibilities and must carry them out before a South Carolina judge closes probate proceedings. Essentially, an executor serves as the deceased’s representative during the process. While many understand an executor’s duties...
When a loved one passes away, their estate must go through a legal process known as probate. During probate, the estate is divided up among the beneficiaries listed in the will. If there's no will, the state gets to decide how to divide up the assets. One common way...
Understanding how heirs and beneficiaries are defined is crucial in helping you determine who will be entitled to inherit your assets after you pass away. Even if you are not ready to begin the process of estate planning in South Carolina, understanding the...
If you have assets held within your South Carolina estate, there is a good chance that those assets will be subject to probate. However, there are many factors that you'll need to consider when determining where the probate process will take place. You might need to...