Estate Planning & Probate Law​

In South Carolina, if you die without a will (intestate), the state’s laws of descent and distribution will determine the distribution of your property. However, these laws may not align with your personal preferences. By having a will prepared by Nantz Law’s experienced attorneys in South Carolina, specifically in Rock Hill and Charleston, you can customize the distribution of your property to reflect your actual wishes. A will allows you to exercise control over personal decisions that broad state provisions cannot address, ensuring your estate is handled according to your specific desires.

A will serves as a legal instrument to distribute your property according to your chosen preferences. While you have the freedom to dispose of property as you wish, South Carolina law imposes certain limitations, such as forced heirship laws that protect the interests of spouses and, in some cases, children. However, a will does not govern the transfer of non-probate property, which includes assets passing through title or contractual arrangements like beneficiary designations. Nantz Law’s knowledgeable attorneys in South Carolina, including Rock Hill and Charleston, can guide you through the complexities of estate planning, ensuring your will effectively addresses your property distribution while considering applicable legal requirements.

Proper execution of a will is crucial to its validity. In many states, including South Carolina, a will that is formally executed in front of witnesses and with all signatures notarized is considered “self-proving.” This self-proving status allows the will to be admitted to probate without the need for additional witness testimony or proof. It’s important to adhere to the required formalities, as addressing a challenge to a will’s validity can be costly and difficult. Nantz Law’s experienced attorneys in South Carolina, particularly in Rock Hill and Charleston, can assist you in executing a valid will, ensuring your intentions are accurately documented.

In South Carolina, if you own property jointly with another person as joint tenants with the right of survivorship, the property will automatically pass to the surviving joint tenant upon your death. This property transfer occurs independently of your will or the state’s laws of intestacy. It’s important to note that the classification of property as part of your probate estate or taxable estate for estate tax purposes is unrelated to its inclusion in joint ownership.

A trust is a legal arrangement that offers flexibility in asset ownership and enables you and your heirs to achieve specific personal goals that may not be possible through other means. At Nantz Law in South Carolina, including Rock Hill and Charleston, our knowledgeable attorneys can guide you through the intricacies of trust formation and management. We will help you understand the benefits of trusts, such as asset protection, income tax planning, and distribution flexibility. Our experienced attorneys will assess your unique circumstances and advise whether a trust is necessary to meet your estate planning objectives.

Annuities, retirement benefits, and life insurance policies are crucial elements of many individuals’ financial plans. Nantz Law’s skilled attorneys in South Carolina understand the complexities surrounding these assets and their impact on estate planning. We can provide comprehensive guidance on naming beneficiaries, the potential benefits of utilizing trusts