What Justin and Tiffany handle from Sigma Drive
You might be calling after a death in the family, when someone has to open the estate and nobody is sure which county’s court to use. Or a will signed years ago may no longer fit, or family land may have passed through several generations without the deed being updated. Whatever brings you in, Justin or Tiffany will tell you plainly what has to happen next.
If the person who died lived in the Dorchester County part of Summerville, the estate is opened at the Dorchester County Probate Court. That court is in St. George, not Summerville, and parts of Summerville lie in other counties, so the first job is confirming which county the person called home. Our page on probate in Dorchester County walks through what happens first and what can wait. Justin and Tiffany also handle Richland County estates for families in the Columbia area.
Estate planning here usually begins with a South Carolina will. Some families add a trust, a power of attorney (a document naming who can act for you if you can’t) and a health care document. If you moved here with a will from another state, or signed one years ago, bring it. We’ll go through what still works and what needs to change. Read more about estate planning, wills and trusts.
Some families inherit land whose deed never left a grandparent’s name. When that happens, our attorneys draft the new deeds and take care of the legal work, whether the family keeps the property or sells it. Land passed down this way, often owned by many relatives at once without clear title, is called heirs property. See inherited property and deeds. Ordinary home purchases and sales are a different service: we don’t handle closings, so a closing attorney is the right call there.
When a parent needs long-term care, Justin and Tiffany help the family plan how that care will be paid for under South Carolina rules. If a parent can no longer make decisions safely, they also handle guardianship: the South Carolina court process that names someone to make decisions for a person who can’t. The planning side is covered on Medicaid and long-term care planning. They prepare prenuptial agreements for South Carolina couples as well.
Meeting with Justin or Tiffany
If you’re handling an estate from another state, or your family is spread out, much of the work can happen by phone or video. Some steps still need you in person. A South Carolina will, for instance, must be signed in front of two witnesses (S.C. Code § 62-2-502). We’ll tell you early which ones apply to you.
The first meeting, with Justin or Tiffany, is a paid appointment. Tell them what’s happened in your own words. They’ll ask questions, look over your papers, and by the end you’ll know what comes next and whether we’re the right firm for it.
Useful papers to bring:
After a death
the death certificate, the original will if you have it, the last property tax bill (it shows which county the person lived in), and any letters from the probate court.
For your own plan
your current will or trust, any power of attorney, and a short list of your property and accounts.
Family land
a copy of the deed or tax notice, plus the relatives who might hold a share.
A parent’s care
where they live now, the care they receive, and who pays for it.
If you can’t find something, bring what you have and we’ll start there.
How much does a lawyer cost in SC?
That depends on the work. Estate planning and probate each have a flat fee, with court and filing costs charged separately. Before any work begins, you’ll get a written fee or scope letter showing both. Other matters are priced once the attorney understands what’s involved, and that fee also comes to you in writing first.
When part of the matter is in North Carolina
If a parent lives in Charlotte, or the family owns land across the North Carolina line, Christine Hart handles the North Carolina part from our Charlotte office. Justin and Tiffany handle South Carolina. It’s one firm, so mention both states when you first call and we’ll coordinate from the start.
Offices · North CarolinaCharlotte office122 N. McDowell Street, Charlotte, NC 28204 · Christine Hart
Questions people ask before they call
How can I get a free lawyer in SC?
South Carolina Legal Services gives free help with many civil matters to residents who meet its income guidelines. You can check whether you qualify at sclegal.org. Our first meeting is paid, but a quick call will tell you whether your situation is one we take on.
Can a house be sold while in probate in South Carolina?
Yes, but not right away and not by just anyone. The personal representative (the person the court appoints to handle the estate) can sell real estate only when the will allows it or the court approves. Nobody should list the house or sign a deed before that appointment. Probate in Dorchester County covers the house in more detail.
What’s the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?
In everyday use, they mean the same thing: someone licensed to practice law. What matters more is the state. For an estate in South Carolina, you want an attorney licensed in South Carolina.
Book a first meeting in Summerville
To meet with Justin or Tiffany, call 980-243-4470 or request a time online and tell us the matter is in South Carolina. Our offices page lists both locations.
Responsible attorneys: Justin Montgomery and Tiffany Lumpkin, 201 Sigma Drive, Suite 300, Summerville, SC 29486.