Experienced Elder Law Firm in South Carolina

The probate litigation attorneys at the Smith & Haskell Law Firm seeks to resolve trust and will contests as quickly and effectively as possible, while minimizing the cost of litigation.  We will discuss your options with you and help achieve resolutions that protect your rights.  We encourage you to contact a will contest attorney to discuss your will contest, dispute or trust dispute issues with the Smith & Haskell Law Firm today at 864.582.6727 to schedule an appointment.  We are ready to put our experienced trial attorneys to work for you.

Wills, Disputes of Wills & Trusts

Times to Contest Wills, Disputes of Wills or Trust

Sometimes family members will question the validity or dispute a will or trust; there exists a multitude of reasons.  When a person who dies without a will, issues arise as well as when a there is a trust or will, but fails to provide anything or allocate assets to a certain family member.  Additionally, the will or trust may leave the inheritance or assets to an acquaintance or someone the family suspects of wrongdoing or undue influence.  Our will contest lawyers can assist in resolving probate disputes while protecting your inheritance interests.

Reasons for Will Contests, Disputes and Trust Disputes

There are a variety of ways to contest a will in court.  You should speak with a knowledgeable will contest lawyer that handles will contests, disputes and trust disputes over suspicions of:
[ul style=”12″]
[li]Fraud and undue influence: if your loved one was coerced or pressured to leave assets to an acquaintance or caretaker, for example, instead of family members, the will may be contested. [/li]
[li]List Style Fraud and undue influence: If your loved one was coerced or pressured to leave assets to an acquaintance or caretaker, for example, instead of family members, the will may be contested.[/li][li]Elder abuse[/li]
[li]Breach of fiduciary duty [/li]
[li]Forceful changes to the will under duress [/li]
[li]Forged documents or signatures[/li]
[li]Mental capacity: To make a valid will, a person must be able to meet certain legal requirements concerning his or her mental state and clarity of thought. [/li]
[li]Actions of trustee during distribution of trust funds[/li]
[/ul]

Choose a South Carolina Will Contest Attorney – Spartanburg, Greenville, Upstate SC

The probate litigation attorneys at the Smith & Haskell Law Firm seeks to resolve trust and will contests as quickly and effectively as possible, while minimizing the cost of litigation.  We will discuss your options with you and help achieve resolutions that protect your rights.  We encourage you to contact a will contest attorney to discuss your will contest, dispute or trust dispute issues with the Smith & Haskell Law Firm today at 864.582.6727 to schedule an appointment.  We are ready to put our experienced trial attorneys to work for you.

10 Reasons to Create an Estate Plan Now

Many people think that estate plans are for someone else, not them. They may rationalize that they are too young or don’t have enough money to reap the tax benefits of a plan. But as the following list makes clear, estate planning is for everyone, regardless of age or net worth. (For more information on estate planning, see our Estate Planning section.)

1. Loss of capacity. What if you become incompetent and unable to manage your own affairs? Without a plan the courts will select the person to manage your affairs. With a plan, you pick that person (through a power of attorney).

2. Minor children. Who will raise your children if you die? Without a plan, a court will make that decision. With a plan, you are able to nominate the guardian of your choice.

3. Dying without a will. Who will inherit your assets? Without a plan, your assets pass to your heirs according to your state’s laws of intestacy (dying without a will). Your family members (and perhaps not the ones you would choose) will receive your assets without benefit of your direction or of trust protection. With a plan, you decide who gets your assets, and when and how they receive them.

4. Blended families. What if your family is the result of multiple marriages? Without a plan, children from different marriages may not be treated as you would wish. With a plan, you determine what goes to your current spouse and to the children from a prior marriage or marriages.

5. Children with special needs. Without a plan, a child with special needs risks being disqualified from receiving Medicaid or SSI benefits, and may have to use his or her inheritance to pay for care. With a plan, you can set up a Supplemental Needs Trustthat will allow the child to remain eligible for government benefits while using the trust assets to pay for non-covered expenses.

6. Keeping assets in the family. Would you prefer that your assets stay in your own family? Without a plan, your child’s spouse may wind up with your money if your child passes away prematurely. If your child divorces his or her current spouse, half of your assets could go to the spouse. With a plan, you can set up a trust that ensures that your assets will stay in your family and, for example, pass to your grandchildren.

7. Financial security. Will your spouse and children be able to survive financially? Without a plan and the income replacement provided by life insurance, your family may be unable to maintain its current living standard. With a plan, life insurance can mean that your family will enjoy financial security.

8. Retirement accounts. Do you have an IRA or similar retirement account? Without a plan, your designated beneficiary for the retirement account funds may not reflect your current wishes and may result in burdensome tax consequences for your heirs (although the rules regarding the designation of a beneficiary have been eased considerably). With a plan, you can choose the optimal beneficiary.

9. Business ownership. Do you own a business? Without a plan, you don’t name a successor, thus risking that your family could lose control of the business. With a plan, you choose who will own and control the business after you are gone.

10. Avoiding probate. Without a plan, your estate may be subject to delays and excess fees (depending on the state), and your assets will be a matter of public record. With a plan, you can structure things so that probate can be avoided entirely.