Nosal & Jeter, LLP

Estate Law Blog

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Understanding the Probate Process in Fort Mill, SC

Fort Mill, SC – Navigating the probate process can be a daunting experience for families already dealing with the loss of a loved one. While probate serves an essential legal function by ensuring that a deceased person’s assets are distributed according to their wishes or state law, the process can be time-consuming and complex. Nosal […]

Estate Planning Pitfalls Fort Mill Families Should Avoid

Fort Mill, SC – Estate planning is a crucial yet frequently overlooked task that can have serious consequences for unprepared families. As Fort Mill experiences continued growth and an influx of new residents, Nosal & Jeter, LLP, a well-established legal firm in the region, highlights costly mistakes commonly made when individuals delay or avoid creating […]

Understanding Probate in North Carolina: Essentials for Surviving Spouses

Estate planning can feel overwhelming, especially when navigating complex estate laws in North Carolina, such as the Elective Share. Many spouses are surprised to learn that even if they’re left out of a will, state law may still entitle them to a portion of the estate. This legal safeguard is designed to protect surviving spouses’ […]

How to Choose the Right Executor for Your Estate

Introduction to the Role of an Executor Selecting the right executor for your estate is a critical decision in the estate planning process. This role, often underestimated in its complexity and importance, involves managing and executing your final wishes as outlined in your will and other estate planning documents. The executor’s responsibilities are multifaceted, requiring […]

The Importance of Estate Planning for Asset Protection

Introduction to Estate Planning and Asset Protection Estate planning is a multifaceted process that involves more than just deciding how to distribute your assets after your death. A crucial aspect of this process is asset protection, which focuses on safeguarding your wealth from potential legal and financial threats during your lifetime. This article offers an […]

Omitted Spouse

While the South Carolina elective share provides the surviving spouse the right to claim 1/3 of the deceased’s spouse’s probate estate, an additional statute in the South Carolina Probate Code provides additional protections for a surviving spouse when the deceased spouse executed a Will prior to their marriage but, for whatever reason, did not update […]

How to Write Your Own Will?

As a preface, I strongly advise against writing your own Will because even if valid in your state, probate of a handwritten Will can be extremely burdensome and expensive. The attorney’s fees alone would be significantly more than having an attorney prepare a well drafted self-proving Will for you. Additionally, some states, including South Carolina, […]

Confusing Legal Titles in Estate Administration

In North Carolina, the statutory legal process of settling the estate of a deceased person uses a variety of legal terms to identify the person in charge of administering the estate and the authority granted to that individual.  The terms  “Collector,” “Executor,” “Administrator,” and “Personal Representative” all describe the person in charge of settling an […]