Estate Planning & Probate in Charleston, SC
Cornerstone Law Group provides professional estate planning & probate services in Charleston, SC. Licensed, insured, and locally trusted.
Charleston residents navigate complex real estate transactions, family law matters, and personal injury claims in one of the fastest-growing coastal markets in the Southeast. Having experienced local legal counsel matters when dealing with historic property titles, competing buyer offers, or contentious custody disputes.
- Licensed & Insured in SC
- Same-Day Service Available
- Upfront Pricing - No Surprises
- Local Charleston Experts
About Estate Planning & Probate in Charleston
Charleston spans a diverse mix of historic downtown neighborhoods like Harleston Village and Cannonborough-Elliotborough, newer West Ashley subdivisions, and waterfront communities on James Island and Daniel Island. The city's booming real estate market means title disputes involving antebellum-era deeds and heirs' property are far more common here than in inland South Carolina. Families relocating to master-planned communities along the Ashley River corridor often need contract review before signing builder agreements. Meanwhile, the port and tourism industries drive a steady volume of workers' compensation and personal injury cases tied to hotel, restaurant, and shipping employment.
What we offer in Charleston
Our Estate Planning & Probate Services in Charleston
Last Will & Testament Drafting
Charleston families rely on properly drafted wills to protect assets, name guardians for minor children, and avoid South Carolina intestacy laws that may not reflect your wishes.
Learn moreRevocable Living Trust Planning
A revocable living trust lets Charleston homeowners and investors transfer assets to heirs without going through South Carolina probate court, saving time, money, and privacy.
Learn moreProbate Administration & Estate Settlement
Cornerstone Law Group guides Charleston executors and administrators through South Carolina probate court, from filing the initial petition to distributing assets and closing the estate.
Learn moreCommon Estate Planning & Probate Issues in Charleston
Charleston homeowners and businesses frequently encounter these estate planning & probate situations. Cornerstone Law Group handles them all.
New Parents in Mount Pleasant
Couples with young children need guardian designations and asset protections in place before the unexpected happens.
Blended Family Estate
Spouses with children from prior relationships need precise language to protect each child's inheritance rights equally.
Retiring to the Lowcountry
Retirees relocating to Charleston from other states often need existing wills updated to comply with South Carolina law.
Lowcountry Vacation Property Owner
Owners of beach homes on Folly Beach or Isle of Palms use trusts to transfer property without multiple probate filings.
Charleston Small Business Owner
Business owners place LLC interests into a trust to ensure smooth leadership transition and avoid court delays at death.
Multi-State Asset Holder
Clients with property in South Carolina and other states avoid ancillary probate proceedings in each state through trust ownership.
Our Estate Planning & Probate Process in Charleston
Here's what to expect when you call Cornerstone Law Group for estate planning & probate in Charleston.
Initial Consultation
We review your current assets, family structure, and goals during a focused 60-minute meeting at our Charleston office or via secure video.
Draft Preparation
Our attorneys prepare a customized draft within five business days, addressing property distribution, executor selection, and guardian designations clearly.
Review & Revisions
You review the draft and request changes. We revise until every provision accurately reflects your intentions before finalizing language.
Execution & Witnessing
We coordinate proper signing with two witnesses and a notary as required by South Carolina Code Section 62-2-502 to ensure full legal validity.
Estate Planning & Probate in Charleston - Frequently Asked Questions
South Carolina requires two witnesses but not notarization for a standard will to be valid. However, adding a self-proving affidavit with notarization speeds up probate significantly at Charleston County Probate Court.
South Carolina does not recognize handwritten holographic wills. Without proper witnessing and legal language, a homemade will can be challenged or rejected by the probate court, leaving your estate to state intestacy rules.
Estate planning attorneys recommend reviewing your will every three to five years or after major life events such as marriage, divorce, a new child, significant asset purchases, or relocating to South Carolina from another state.
South Carolina's intestacy laws under Title 62 of the Probate Code determine who inherits. Your assets may pass to relatives you would not have chosen, and a court - not you - appoints a guardian for minor children.
The cost of estate planning & probate in Charleston depends on the scope of work. Cornerstone Law Group provides free estimates. Call (555) 555-5555 for a quote.
Yes, Cornerstone Law Group is fully licensed in SC for estate planning & probate and related work.
Yes, we offer same-day service when schedule allows. Call (555) 555-5555 for availability in Charleston.
Need Estate Planning & Probate in Charleston? We Respond Fast.
Cornerstone Law Group is licensed in SC and serves all of Charleston. Call for a free estimate or book online.
Also Serving Charleston
Beyond estate planning & probate, Cornerstone Law Group provides these services in Charleston:
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