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ESTATE PLANNING
At Harris & Huge, we seek to help families preserve their legacy through a holistic and comprehensive approach to estate planning. It is our goal to carry out the final wishes of our clients while protecting their assets, as well as the financial and emotional burden placed on beneficiaries.
Regardless of the size of your estate, our Charleston estate planning attorneys are qualified to protect and advise clients and prepare all documents needed to protect final wishes and assets, avoid probate litigation and severe estate taxes and preserve the legacy and history of the family unit.
The Importance of a Last Will and Testament
A Last Will and Testament, often referred to as a “Will,” is a way to protect your assets and your family at the time of your passing. A Will can be used to transfer property to people or organizations; provide for the care of your minor children or other dependents; provide for property management for property left to minor children, and to make a determination of who will be responsible to carry out the terms of the Will.
If you die without a Will, your property will pass through the state “intestacy” laws. South Carolina’s intestacy laws dictate that where there is a spouse, all property passes to the spouse. If there is no spouse, but there are children, all property will pass to children. Where there is no spouse or children, the property will then pass to the decedent’s parent, or if no parents remain alive, to the decedent’s siblings. It will then pass to more distant relatives, or if there are no surviving relatives to the state.
What Can a Comprehensive Estate Plan Accomplish?
While this method of distribution is how many people draft a Will (with assets to their spouse or children), it fails to take into consideration various protections provided by a Will, especially for those with minor children. Without a Will, you cannot provide for the care and property management of young children. You also cannot assign specific assets to specific beneficiaries in the event you had a belonging that you wished to pass to a specific person.
Despite its importance, approximately 50% of Americans do not have estate plans due to the perceived complexities of the process and the nature of the subject. However, experience estate planning attorneys in South Carolina can simplify the process so you can be in charge of the distribution of your assets at death.
Harris and Huge is a local Charleston law firm focusing on DUI Defense, Criminal Law Defense, Corporate Law, and Personal Injury.
When you or your loved one is accused of a crime in South Carolina, there is a terrible reality that jail time may be present. Harris & Huge can provide you or your loved one an attorney who can negotiate with solicitors, arrange for a reduction in charge, a lesser sentencing, or possibly, a dismissal.
Locations
Location 180 Spring St
Charleston, SC 29403
Location 23202 Maybank Hwy
Johns Island, SC 29455