Get a personalized checklist of steps to settle an estate. Answer a few questions about your situation and we'll guide you through the process.
Answer a few questions to get a personalized checklist for settling an estate.
This checklist provides general guidance for estate settlement. Requirements vary by state and circumstance. Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.
The immediate priorities are obtaining certified death certificates, securing the residence and valuables, notifying immediate family, and locating any estate planning documents. In South Carolina, you can request death certificates from the funeral home or state vital records office.
Not necessarily. South Carolina allows Small Estate Affidavit for estates under $45,000. Estates with a properly funded trust also avoid probate. There is a 30-day waiting period after death for small estate affidavits.
In South Carolina, simple estates typically take 6-9 months. Average estates take 9-18 months. Complex estates with disputes can take 18-36 months or longer. The 8-month creditor claim period is a key factor.
South Carolina typically requires a probate bond, but it can be waived if specified in the will. Without a waiver, expect to pay about 0.5% of the estate value annually.
When someone dies without a will in South Carolina, their estate passes through intestate succession - state law determines who inherits. Typically, the surviving spouse and children receive the estate according to South Carolina probate code. A court-appointed administrator handles the estate through probate.
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
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Create a free, state-specific will with witness and notarization requirements included.
Transfer assets to your existing trust. State execution requirements included.
Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need based on the assets and accounts you need to close. See state-specific ordering information.
Answer a few questions to find out if an estate needs full probate, qualifies for simplified probate, or can avoid probate entirely with a small estate affidavit.
Find out what to expect when inheriting money, property, or other assets. See timeline estimates, inheritance tax implications, and understand what the executor or trustee is handling behind the scenes.
Complete guide for executors and personal representatives navigating probate. Court filings, creditor claims, and distribution timelines.
Step-by-step guide for successor trustees administering a trust. Understand your duties, notification deadlines, and asset management responsibilities.
In-depth guides covering South Carolina probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.
