Do you have a last will and testament set up? Though most people know they need their affairs in order, most procrastinate about estate planning. We get it - thinking about your death and what happens to your assets when you pass is uncomfortable. The truth is, though, that working with an estate planning attorney in Chester, SC, doesn't just protect your assets.
Having a will in place protects you and your loved ones, too, both while you're living and after you're gone. And while there's no perfect time to plan your estate, doing so sooner than later will provide security and peace of mind down the line.
At Lauren Taylor Law, we know that one-size-fits-all plans aren't suitable for your needs. That's why our team of estate planning attorneys sits down to speak with you one-on-one so that we can help create an estate plan tailored to your wishes. That way, your family and loved ones are protected when it's time for you to go.
When it's all said and done, our goal is to provide all of our estate planning clients with more information and options so that they feel less stressed about the process. After all, peace of mind is priceless these days. Why spend time worrying about the future of your family when you can do your part to provide for them now?
GET HELP NOWIf you're feeling over-stressed and uninformed about estate planning, don't worry. You're not alone! Most of our estate planning clients are filled with doubt and worry when they walk into our office. They're concerned about their kids, their spouses, their loved ones, or all of the above. They have serious questions that need truthful answers, such as:
If you find yourself asking these or other pertinent questions, our experienced team is here to help answer them. We've worked with hundreds of individuals and families trying to plan their estates, many of whom are forced to act quickly. In such situations, it's crucial to work with an estate planning firm with your best interests at heart.
Estate planning in South Carolina is like second nature for our team of seasoned attorneys. We've done it all, from setting up healthcare power of attorneys and will packages to full estate planning that involves millions of dollars in assets. When you choose Lauren Taylor Law as your estate planning team, you can rest easy knowing you'll work directly with an experienced lawyer.
Because when it involves your estate and your family's future, passing your case off to a junior associate or paralegal isn't an option. Instead, you'll be working with a dedicated attorney with the time, resources, and knowledge to exceed your needs. At the end of the day, we're passionate about the outcome of our client's estate planning cases because the future of their family is at stake.
To get a better sense of your estate plans and needs, your attorney will consult with you, so that they can answer your questions and educate you on the nuances of estate law in South Carolina. That way, you can leave our office feeling a little wiser and a lot more informed about what options lie ahead.
At Lauren Taylor Law, our practice is dedicated to providing comprehensive legal services in South Carolina Estate Law, encompassing the following areas:
When you hear the word "estate," what comes to mind? Many people think of a sprawling, multi-story mansion on the water. However, you don't have to be uber-wealthy to have an estate. Chances are you already have one. An estate is comprised of all the assets a person owns, such as:
And that, in a nutshell, is what estate planning is all about - working with an estate planning attorney in Chester, SC, to create a framework that recognizes the people or organizations who should benefit from your assets. Though it may require some work and introspection up front, planning your estate now will make life easier for you and your loved ones down the line.
However, great estate plans usually cover more than fiscal assets. Your estate plan should also include:
Contrary to what others may tell you, estate planning isn't just reserved for older people approaching retirement. Estate planning is a savvy and responsible way to plan ahead because we never know when it could be our time to go.
At Lauren Taylor Law, our estate attorneys craft personalized wills while providing guidance on many estate planning topics. Some of the most common estate planning services we offer include:
Wills are a crucial legal document and the primary building block of professional estate planning. They are legal declarations that you use to name one or more people to administer your estate. Wills also dictate provisions for how your wealth is distributed after death. Hiring an estate planning attorney in Chester, SC, ensures you get the outcomes both you and your loved ones prefer.
Sometimes, you need authorized representation to help with your affairs. Having a power of attorney lets you choose a person to act on your behalf or represent you in private or legal matters. It should be noted that while you have access to standard power of attorneys, they can only fulfill basic planning needs. Our team can help you draft a more comprehensive document addressing all your administrative needs.
Also referred to as an advanced directive, your living will states your medical end-of-life wishes if you cannot communicate. This sensitive document guides your family members and doctors through difficult situations, like whether you should be resuscitated after a car crash.
In addition to the estate planning services above, we also specialize in:
Estate planning can be a complex process, but drafting a well-rounded plan now will make a big difference to your beneficiaries in the future. To give you a better understanding of estate law in South Carolina, keep these basic concepts and strategies in mind.
If there were one strategy that every estate attorney agrees about, it would be maximizing what you plan to leave behind. Taking time to think through what you'll be leaving and to whom you'll be leaving it to is crucial in estate planning. It's important to note, however, that your plans may change depending on what type of asset you're leaving behind, its worth, your age, and many other factors. With an estate planning lawyer in Chester, SC, by your side, you'll learn about the pros and cons of your choices while minimizing court fees and taxes.
The person you choose as the executor of your will plays a big part in your affairs. Your executor is responsible for finalizing estate settlements while upholding the terms of your will. Such a demanding role requires a unique person, and choosing that person is a decision you should take seriously. Your executor should be adept at managing money and should be patient in stressful times because they're responsible for the following:
To ensure your executor upholds your instructions and wishes, ask that they use an estate planning attorney in Chester, SC, for help. Having a trustworthy, experienced lawyer on your side will help ensure your estate is distributed accurately and according to South Carolina law.
As one of the most trusted estate planning law offices in South Carolina, we encounter clients all the time who question whether having a will is really necessary. They think that because their will is small or modest, having one is a waste of money. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.
Why? Think about what would happen if you didn't have a will. When you pass away without a will, you're dying "intestate." In this scenario, intestate succession laws in South Carolina determine where your assets go. You do not get to choose.
If you have a cherished family heirloom that you want to pass to your niece or a valuable car you want your brother to have, you may be out of luck without a will in place. Intestate succession laws in South Carolina dictate who gets what in your family. If you don't want the State to decide who will inherit your assets, forming a will with the help of an estate planning lawyer in Chester, SC, is necessary.
Another reason to have a will is to help care for and protect your family if you pass away suddenly. This is true even if you consider yourself to be "too young" to have a will. If you're the parent of a minor and you die intestate, they will inherit your estate according to South Carolina law. However, this often means your child owns an interest in your home. That opens them up to intrusion from probate court. It also means a Guardian Ad Litem will be involved in your affairs to question the choices of your surviving family members, whether you like it or not.
By having a last will and testament in place, you have the chance to nominate a guardian for your child in the event that you pass.
You've probably seen ads for easy or "fill-in-the-blank" legal forms across the internet, promising low costs and easy will creation. Unfortunately, using these boilerplate forms is highly risky and may end up hurting your loved ones more than helping them. That's because when an estate planning attorney in Chester, SC, is not present to prepare your will, you may receive a document that is inadequate, ambiguous, or even invalid by law.
At Lauren Taylor Law, we have found many issues with "DIY" wills, including the following:
Conflicting Verbiage: When using a "DIY" will, you've got to make choices on the form that often conflict, which can lead to ambiguity in your will.
Ambiguous Language: The language found within "fill-in-the-blank" wills typically includes less-than-clear verbiage. When a judge is unable to decipher the instructions in your will, it can lead to long, costly probate problems.
Outdated Info: South Carolina laws change often. Changes in the law can have a dramatic effect on the terms of your will, especially because online forms are often outdated from the very beginning.
Not Specific to South Carolina: As is the case with any state, local laws must be taken into account when creating your will, because state law governs several facets of estate planning. Many "DIY" wills are thrown out in probate court because they are generic and not specific to South Carolina estate laws.
Insufficient Instructions: Many people using boilerplate legal documents are uninformed about estate and probate laws. When it comes to preparing legal documents like wills, there is no substitute for the guidance you receive from a lawyer. Only a certified lawyer has the knowledge and experience to provide you with reliable advice and instructions. The instructions included with "DIY" wills lack true advice from a lawyer, rendering them nearly useless.
In life, there are no guarantees as to how long we'll be around to enjoy time with our families. That's why planning your estate is so important: to provide for those who mean the most to you. As your estate planning attorneys, our job is to ensure your family and assets are protected under South Carolina law. We take that job very seriously.
If you're looking for experienced, professional help drafting your last will and testament - one that truly reflects your wishes - look no further than Lauren Taylor Law. Our team is dedicated to the best interests of you and your family and is committed to providing sound legal advice, no matter the value of your estate.
White Knoll’s football program accomplished a lot in the past five seasons.Now, Victor Floyd hopes to continue that momentum and take the Timberwolves one step further with a state championship.Floyd, the Chester High coach, was officially introduced as the new head coach at White Knoll on Friday.“We already have the season theme as the next step,” Floyd said. “I look at this program and the great job coach (Nick) Pelham did and the position it is in right now. That is the only thing is the next s...
White Knoll’s football program accomplished a lot in the past five seasons.
Now, Victor Floyd hopes to continue that momentum and take the Timberwolves one step further with a state championship.
Floyd, the Chester High coach, was officially introduced as the new head coach at White Knoll on Friday.
“We already have the season theme as the next step,” Floyd said. “I look at this program and the great job coach (Nick) Pelham did and the position it is in right now. That is the only thing is the next step.”
Floyd was thought to have been WK’s top choice to replace Nick Pelham, who left last month to be the first head coach at the new Lake Wylie High School in Clover. Pelham led the Timberwolves to a Region 4-5A title and the program’s first trip to the Class 5A championship in 2023.
White Knoll’s 29 wins over the past three years are the most in a three-year span in school history.
Floyd said the program will be built on his five core principles, called “The Wolf Way.” They include commitment, discipline, sacrifice, toughness and unity.
“Those are the pillars I have used in 20-some-odd years (of being a head coach),” Floyd said. “Young men have taken them right into the world and used them as men. It is a value system that will be successful.”
Floyd has been at Chester for two different stints, from 2004-07, then returning in 2015 after seven seasons at Brunswick High in Georgia. He said that leaving the Cyclone program was tough but couldn’t pass up the chance to coach on the Class 5A level.
Floyd called returning to the Midlands, where he began his head coaching career at Columbia’s CA Johnson High School in 1998, a “full circle moment.”
Floyd led Chester to two state title game appearances in 2007 and 2018. The 2018 squad went 15-0 and won the Class 3A championship. It was Chester’s first state championship since schools were integrated in the 1970s.
“I have been coaching 33 years and 15 have been in Chester,” he said. “It was tough to leave but like I told the young men when I talked to them, we prepare them for opportunities and have to do the same for ourselves.”
Floyd has won 146 games and four region titles in his coaching career, which also included Dudley (N.C.) from 2001-03 and C.A. Johnson. He saw a C.A. Johnson program that went from winless in his first year to five victories two seasons later.
White Knoll went 8-4 last season and made it to the third round of the Class 5A Division II playoffs. The Timberwolves will be in Class 5A next year, with the classification not splitting divisions, and in the same region with Dutch Fork, Chapin, River Bluff and Lexington.
Dutch Fork has won nine state championships in the last 10 seasons.
“There is a huge mountain that everyone talks about that is called Dutch Fork,” Floyd said. “You got to have the mentality or the belief you can get over the hump to take the next step.”
The Timberwolves have several key pieces returning next season, including starting quarterback Jhais McKiever. Floyd referenced McKiever during his interview Friday and the strong nucleus on defense, which lost starting safety James Smith, who transferred to Dutch Fork.
Floyd said his first day at White Knoll likely will be Feb. 12 and he is in process of putting together a coaching staff. He said he plans on bringing some coaches from Chester with him.
With White Knoll’s hire, there are two openings in the Midlands, at A.C. Flora and Pelion.
School — Former Coach — New Coach
AC Flora — Ken Floyd — TBA
Belton-Honea Path — Russell Blackston — TBA
Chapin — Ryan Cole — Cory Helms
Chester — Victor Floyd — TBA
Clover — Perry Woolright — TBA
Colleton County — Adam Kinloch — Bradley Adams
Conway — Josh Pierce — Jody Jenerette
Goose Creek — Jason Winstead — TBA
Green Sea Floyds — Patrick Martin — TBA
Lake Wylie — (School opens in 2026) — N/A — Nick Pelham
Liberty — Paul Sutherland — Bobby Ruff
McCormick — Leroy Collier — TBA
Marion — Brian Hennecy — TBA
May River — Richard Bonneville — TBA
Ninety-Six — Matthew Bennett — Austin Sargent
North Myrtle Beach — Greg Hill — Perry Woolbright
Pelion — Cory Helms — TBA
St. James — Tommy Norwood — Stephen Cagle
Sumter — Mark Barnes — TBA
Union County — Quinnon Isom — Bryan Robinson
Wagener-Salley — Blaze Gillespie — TBA
Whale Branch — Willie White (interim) — TBA
White Knoll — Nick Pelham — Victor Floyd
A winter storm that crashed through the Carolinas over the weekend hit the Rock Hill area Sunday, icing roads, closing schools on Monday, and leaving more than 1,700 customers without power.Yet officials warned treacherous road conditions will remain as part of a National Weather Service ice storm warning that continues through midday Monday.Sunday night: Power outages in York, ChesterAs of 6 p.m. Sunday there were more than 1,800 ustomer power outages in York, Chester, and Lancaster counties, according to the three ma...
A winter storm that crashed through the Carolinas over the weekend hit the Rock Hill area Sunday, icing roads, closing schools on Monday, and leaving more than 1,700 customers without power.
Yet officials warned treacherous road conditions will remain as part of a National Weather Service ice storm warning that continues through midday Monday.
As of 6 p.m. Sunday there were more than 1,800 ustomer power outages in York, Chester, and Lancaster counties, according to the three main utilities serving the area.
Duke Energy had more than 1,700 of those outages in York County areas south of Rock Hill into eastern Chester County, and more in the city of York, according to Duke’s outage map.
The city of Rock Hill Utilities showed no customers without service, its map showed.
York Electric Cooperative had fewer than 20 customers without power, the utility’s map showed.
People are advised to check outage maps for updated outage locations where service has been disrupted, and potential times of restoration. Duke Energy’s outage map did not show an estimated time for restoration of service to affected customers.
The utilities said before the storm stated they had crews on stand-by to restore power, with expected assistance from crews that came from unaffected states.
Roads in York, Lancaster and Chester counties had a covering of frozen precipitation Sunday, said Master Trooper Hannah Davidson of the S.C. Highway Patrol.
“We expect it to get worse,” Davidson told The Herald.
Troop 4- just a glimpse of the roadway conditions. Please stay home unless you’re an essential worker, the conditions are not ideal to be driving around in. ????:SC5 in Cherokee Co and SC5/SC161 in York. pic.twitter.com/rbz5y7Ig2M
— SCHP Troop 4 (@SCHP_Troop4) January 25, 2026
Emergency officials reported I-77 remained open Sunday with light traffic, according to officials and S.C. Department of Transportation cameras along the interstate.
Anyone who does not have to drive should stay home if possible, Davidson said.
Ice accumulations are expected to increase through the afternoon into Sunday evening, the National Weather Service said in its forecast. Conditions will linger “through at least Monday,” according to the weather service.
“Ice covered roadways will become treacherous and impassable,” a Sunday afternoon statement from the NWS said.
An ice storm warning from Winter Storm Fern issued by the NWS remains in effect until Monday afternoon.
The NWS also warned that “significant ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause widespread and long-lasting power outages.”
Cold temperatures after the storm passes through are forecast for most of the week ahead, the NWS said.
York County opened two shelters Saturday night for people in need. One is in Rock Hill at Northside Recreation Center, 900 Annafrel St. and one is in York at 21 White Rose Lane.
People are asked to bring any medications needed and use caution if traveling to the shelters.
Chester County government announced it has opened shelters at Chester Middle School, 1014 McCandless Road, Chester; and the Great Falls War memorial Building, 401 Dearborn St., Great Falls.
All four York County school districts and those in neighborng Lancaster and Chester counties have already closed campuses for Monday and changed to e-learning because of the possibility of frozen roads.
York County officials decided Sunday afternoon to close its offices and facilities on Monday, citing treacherous road conditions.
Rock Hill has closed all city parks, trails and recreation campuses until further notice, city spokesperson Katie Quinn said. The city has also cancelled a “Parade of Champions” planned for Monday to honor state championship athletic teams, and cancelled municipal court for Monday.