Losing a loved one is difficult enough without the added stress of an uncooperative executor. When the person responsible for managing an estate fails to communicate or take action, heirs often feel helpless. Fortunately, South Carolina law provides legal remedies to...
If someone dies without a will in South Carolina, the law decides who gets their property. This process is called intestate succession, and while it may sound orderly, it rarely reflects what people actually want for their families. Here’s what happens when there’s no...
Paying all taxes due is a top responsibility during estate administration. Personal representatives often file final income tax returns for deceased individuals. The estate assumes responsibility for the decedent’s financial obligations, including any outstanding...
The primary goal of probate is to ensure a deceased person’s assets are distributed according to the law and the deceased’s wishes. Final expenses and taxes are paid out of the estate, with the remainder going to the heirs named in the decedent’s will. The legal...
Inheritance is difficult for many families to process for a variety of reasons, not all of which are legal. Amidst their grief, family members must decide who the deceased’s belongings should go to and matters of inheritance can become significantly more complicated...
Many adults have debts throughout their lives, but they may not think much about what will happen to those debts if they die. Unfortunately, that would mean that their loved ones would have to deal with the debts. A person’s debts don’t automatically die when the...
When a loved one passes away, their estate must be managed and distributed according to their wishes and applicable laws. This process can feel overwhelming for grieving families, especially when it involves lengthy public probate proceedings. Private estate...
A family member has passed, and their will, or lack thereof, is now in question. Perhaps you have heard that probate is expensive and time-consuming, leading you to consider alternatives. Still, attempting to avoid probate without proper legal guidance often leads to...
The terms included in a will guide the distribution of an individual's property after they die. Certain people have a right of inheritance unless a testator has a will or other estate planning documents on record. If someone drafted a will, then their wishes take...
Managing the probate process is relatively challenging. Personal representatives have to communicate with many different parties and attend court hearings. They need to review estate planning paperwork or learn about intestate succession laws if there is no will. They...