Greenville Estate Planning Lawyers
Wills, Trusts and Other Estate Planning Strategies
A well-crafted estate plan can safeguard your possessions and provide for the well-being of your loved ones in the event of serious health problems or death. Since 1980, the Gilreath Law Firm, P.A., in Greenville, has helped clients throughout South Carolina develop effective estate planning strategies tailored to their unique needs and goals.
No Off-the-Shelf Estate Plans
Will-making software is generic and cannot address the rapidly changing laws or numerous contingencies in today's estate planning environment. Our lawyers do not provide cookie-cutter estate plans. We will:
- Discuss your unique needs and objectives
- Explain probate and ways to streamline the process
- Explore ways to reduce or eliminate estate taxes
- Designate someone to manage your affairs in the event of your incapacitation or death.
Who Needs an Estate Plan?
The IRS defines an estate as "everything that you own," including your insurance, bank account, home, IRAs, and stocks and bonds. No matter how modest or large your estate, it is important to determine what happens to your assets after your death. Careful estate planning can legally ensure that assets are distributed according to your wishes.
About Wills
Having a will is the most important first step in managing your estate. Your will is the legal document that designates the beneficiaries of your estate, and when, where and how your assets will be distributed.
A will is also the vehicle whereby you name a guardian for your minor children (under 18). Your will also assigns your personal representative (executor or executrix) and gives that person the authority to act in accordance with your wishes.
In addition to developing your will to protect your assets and provide for your survivors, our trial lawyers can help with contested will and trust cases, contested guardianship proceedings and other intra-family disputes.
Other Estate Planning Tools
- Trust — A trust transfers your assets to another person or entity who will manage them. You specify the condition under which the transfer can happen — during your lifetime, or after disability or death. There are many types of trusts including Living Trusts, Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts, Special Needs Trusts and others.
- Advance Health Care Directive — Identifies a person who will make health care decisions for you if you become incapacitated.
- Durable Power of Attorney — Establishes financial directives including writing checks, filing tax returns and managing investments.
The Gilreath Law Firm can help you make informed decisions and create an estate plan that will respect your wishes and protect your assets. To arrange a consultation with an estate planning attorney, please contact Gilreath Law Firm, P.A., in Greenville, South Carolina.
Learn more: Visit our estate planning FAQs page.
