Greenville County Wills & Estates Lawyer

Estate planning controls how your belongings, property, and other assets will be passed on to your loved ones after you are gone. It can also include other important documents that designate trusted persons to act on your behalf when you cannot, such as carrying out financial matters or making medical decisions at necessary times. Your estate plan can be as simple or as complicated as necessary, based on your circumstances and objectives. 

Rhett can help you create and finalize the following estate-related documents:

Wills

Without a will, you will die “intestate.” This means your estate will be passed on according to South Carolina probate laws without any knowledge of what you would have wanted. Your will can do the following:

• Identify your property and assets
• Name your heirs and beneficiaries and what each will receive and when they will receive it
• Name an executor to oversee the probate process of transferring your estate
• Name a guardian for any minor children you may have

Trusts

A trust is a legal entity into which you pass your assets to be managed by your named trustee(s). Once you pass away, trustees transfer these assets to your heirs/beneficiaries according to your instructions in the trust. Trusts can be revocable or irrevocable and created for various purposes. In a living trust, you remain the trustee during your lifetime and manage the assets as you see fit. Trusts have many benefits, including the avoidance of probate.

Living Wills and Other Documents

• A living will allows you to outline your wishes regarding what type of medical interventions you wish to have or not have if terminally ill or permanently unconscious. 
• A Healthcare Power of Attorney allows you to authorize a trusted person to make medical care decisions when you are incapacitated. 
• A Durable Power of Attorney allows you to authorize a trusted person to handle financial or other life matters on your behalf. 

Plan Ahead with Help From the Law Office of Rhett Burney

Rhett can help you understand and devise the right estate planning tools for your situation as well as help you keep them current. If you need assistance administering a trust or any other estate matter, he can provide the guidance and counsel you need for every contingency.