Estate Planning Attorney in North Myrtle Beach, SC

Bespoke Estate Law helps families in North Myrtle Beach and throughout Horry County secure their legacies with personalized estate planning services. From drafting and executing legal documents like wills and trusts to establishing powers of attorney and planning for long-term care needs, we help you care for loved ones and plan for the future. For a complimentary consultation, please give our office a call.

Full Service Estate Planning in SC

Wills and Trusts

A will is a necessary legal document that dictates the distribution of assets, naming of an executor, and the guardian of minor children, if applicable. Creating an air-tight will provides peace of mind, and it guides the distribution of your estate after your death. A Trust acts as a vessel that can hold your assets during your lifetime. Bank accounts, shares, real property, and other assets can be placed within a trust. Utilizing a trust can: avoid lengthy probate administration, simplify the distribution process, and can grant your beneficiaries additional benefits. If you wish to retain control of your trust assets during your lifetime, we will help you establish a revocable trust. For additional protection of the assets inside the trust, consider an irrevocable trust -- in these cases, you cannot act as your own trustee however. We would be happy to explain to you the distinctions between the various types of trusts. From Special Needs Trusts to Inter Vivos and Testamentary Trusts, we have the experience to guide your decision.

Powers of Attorney

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that grants a person or persons the authority to act for you when you are unable to act for yourself. The types of POA include a health care POA, where medical decisions can be made for you if you become incapacitated, and durable POA, which covers the management of one's property and financial affairs. A durable power of attorney can be drafted to grant authority immediately upon signing, or only upon your incapacity, and there are advantages to both methods. Even if you are young and in good health, we highly recommend creating a power of attorney. Accidents happen, and having someone specifically listed as your agent under power of attorney can remove additional confusion during a stressful time.

Asset Protection and Long-Term Care Planning

Asset protection strategies are designed to safeguard one's estate from potential claims of creditors or litigants. An estate planning attorney can help you protect assets while providing for potential long-term care needs. Considering the exorbitant cost of long-term care, planning ahead with tools like long-term care insurance and specific asset protection trusts can significantly alleviate potential financial burdens on your family.

Public Benefits and Eligibility

Public benefits such as Veterans' Aid & Attendance or Medicaid can be far more complex than they should be. We provide important guidance on how to qualify for these benefits, and how they can play a critical role in covering costs associated with long-term care and medical needs. Under South Carolina law, for instance, Medicaid eligibility requires careful planning to meet asset and income limits.

Disputes can arise after a Loved One's Death

Oftentimes, if a deceased party did not have their estate fully in order, disputes will arise among the heirs. Disputes can occur even if a valid will and estate plan were established, but having a qualified estate planning attorney prepare your estate plan will ensure that the necessary contest provisions are included, and your documents are drafted in such a way that a successful challenge will be far more difficult. We represent clients in matters of trust and estate administration, ensuring that the decedent's wishes are honored and legal standards are met. This includes handling will caveats, guardianship or incompetency proceedings, and fiduciary litigation. SC Title 62 outlines the specific procedures for establishing guardianships and conservatorships, which attorneys often navigate with clients to protect the client's interests and those of their loved ones.

Elder Law Guidance

Our estate planning attorneys service North Myrtle Beach, and help clients navigate the unique legal needs of seniors and their families. We can discuss estate planning, Medicaid planning, guardianship, long-term care planning, and more. We can also handle matters of asset protection, and we will assist with navigating the complexities of Medicare and Social Security benefits. We recommend that you begin the estate planning process long before you would anticipate needing it; do not expose yourself to the risk of financial or physical elder abuse.

Probate Administration

We assist clients with the probate process, handling everything from the filing of the will through the court to the final distribution of assets to heirs and beneficiaries. This includes managing estate debts, resolving disputes, and ensuring legal compliance. Alternatively, for those looking to avoid probate, we offer strategic planning that includes the use of trusts, joint ownerships, and beneficiary designations. These tools can help transfer assets directly to beneficiaries upon death, bypassing the often lengthy and costly probate process.

Contact Our North Myrtle Beach Estate Planning Attorneys for a Consultation Today

For compassionate and thorough estate planning assistance in SC or NC, contact Bespoke Estate Law. Led by veteran estate planning attorney Matthew Hurst, the firm represents clients in need of wills, trusts, probate assistance, help with administrative hearings, and more. We serve clients in North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Sunset Beach, Conway, and throughout coastal South Carolina. We would be happy to speak with you.