Many intensely litigated estate disputes arise our of how an individual handles beneficiary designations on certain accounts. A “Designated Beneficiary” is a person or trust selected by an owner of an account to inherit the account balance payable upon the death of the account owner. Beneficiary designations are typically used for life insurance, retirement accounts […]
Who Takes Care of Your Remains and Burial Wishes
Did you know that it is now possible to be buried on the moon? Elysium, a San Francisco based company, is now offering an affordable way to have your ashes forever a part of the night sky. Interested? You had better get it in writing. Healthcare Agent has Authority over Remains Many people do not […]
Small Estates & Summary Administration
South Carolina Small Estates: The maximum value of the probate estate must be under $25,000.00 in order to qualify for small estate administration. Legal Procedures for Small Estate Administration There are three procedures for the more simple administration of the small estates, with the last of the three avoiding even opening the estate at all: […]
When is a Person Legally Dead in South Carolina?
Since the administration of an estate of a decedent is conditioned upon the death of that person, it is important to understand if and when a person is legally dead according to the South Carolina Probate Code. The 2013 amendment incorporated them back into the Probate Code at Section 62-1-507 as part of the Uniform Simultaneous […]
North Carolina Intestate Succession
What Happens When I Die Without a Will in North Carolina? When one dies without a valid will or other estate planning documents, they are said to die “intestate.” Each state has a different set of laws controlling who inherits the deceased’s property in this situation, called the “intestacy laws.” Essentially, a person who dies […]
