Probate is the name for the process wherein assets are transferred from someone who has passed away to his or her heirs. In South Carolina, the law requires that if the decedent had a will, it must be delivered to the Probate Court within 30 days after his or her date of death. No matter…

When it comes to estate planning, it’s important to learn what your options are so you can make an educated decision on what tools work best for your personal financial situation. Speaking with a South Carolina estate planning attorney can help ensure you have a comprehensive estate plan. Even if you already have an estate…

A conservator is someone whom the court appoints to protect an incapacitated adult’s financial and business affairs. The county where the incapacitated person resides is the court responsible for appointing a conservator. S.C. Code Ann Section 62-5-410 is what the probate courts refer to when deciding who has the authority to act as a conservator…

Guardianships and conservatorships are often confused, and not surprisingly, people have a number of questions about what each is and how they work. Here is a look at some of the most frequently asked questions regarding conservatorships and guardianships.   What is a Guardian? What is a Conservator? Guardians are appointed by the court to…

Spousal privilege is an interesting area of law that can intimidate many newly-married couples. Can you be forced to testify against your spouse in a legal matter? In the state of South Carolina, the answer is typically no. The idea behind spousal privilege is to protect the sanctity of marriage and not force someone to…

On Sunday, the HBO comedy-news program “Last Week Tonight” took their main show segment to highlight the issues of Guardianship in the United States. Host John Oliver first presented the case of the Rudy and Renny North — a Las Vegas couple who found themselves ensnared in a broken system of Guardianship. Without any prior…

Spousal privilege is an interesting area of law that can intimidate many newly-married couples. Can you be forced to testify against your spouse in a legal matter? In the state of South Carolina, the answer is typically no. The idea behind spousal privilege is to protect the sanctity of marriage and not force someone to…

Married couples who are in the middle of a divorce or are planning to file for divorce will want to familiarize themselves with the new federal tax law taking effect in 2019. Currently, the law allows the person who is required to pay alimony to deduct the entire amount from their federal income tax returns….

It’s pretty uncommon to find anyone who isn’t active on at least one social media channel these days. And, given that many people overshare on their online profiles, the use of social media in litigation is on the rise. Plaintiffs’ social media posts, comments, and activities have been used by defense attorneys in everything from…

The divorce process is almost always difficult and stressful. Distribution of assets is one of the most stressful and typically most emotional parts of divorce. The process can suddenly become much more difficult if your soon-to-be ex is attempting to hide assets. If you suspect your spouse may be hiding assets or money, you may…