Probate Administration and Litigation

Probate Administration and Litigation is an area of our practice where we use our unique experience to help you and your family navigate the probate administration process and protect your rights and help you resolve your probate disputes.  Probate Administration following the death of a loved one can be a complicated process for many families.  And, for so many people it is overwhelming because of the emotional loss they have suffered.  It does not have to be complicated or overwhelming, especially if you have the right person helping you through the process.  Deirdre Edmonds previously served as Probate Judge of Horry County for twelve years.  She has been an attorney for over thirty years.  During her tenure as Probate Judge and her many years as an attorney, she gained the knowledge and experience to help her clients get through these difficult times. 

Probate Administration involves the process of disposing of a deceased person’s home, property and other assets following their death, and paying or otherwise resolving their final bills and expenses, and then ultimately, insuring that the deceased’s assets are transferred and given to those persons who are rightfully entitled to them.  It is a court-supervised process that many people are required to maneuver thorough when a loved one dies.  It can often get complicated because of the vast number of forms that must be completed and filed with the court.  Many of the forms and documents are time-sensitive, which means that such forms must be submitted to the court within specific time frames.  Failure to timely file some documents and forms may result in the loss of legal rights.  Not knowing what forms must be filed and when to file them can be detrimental.  In some cases, a person simply wants someone to walk them thorough the process and advise them every step of the way. 

We do all these things, and more.  We offer solutions to difficult situations, and help people find the best, quickest, easiest, and least expensive way to get through the process.  At the same time, we offer solid advice and recommendations on how to properly handle probate administration and how to do it in a way that will protect you throughout the process.  We can assist you from the beginning until the end or we can help you after you have started the process and discover you need help and guidance.  Our law firm can tailor our services to your specific needs and wants. 

Probate Litigation is another important aspect of our practice.  Unfortunately, families do not always see eye-to-eye and they don’t always agree on the best way to handle things.  And, once a loved one has died, disagreements and disputes can arise that make what would have been a relatively simply probate administration more contentious and complicated.  In some cases, no matter how carefully your loved one planned their estate, disharmony and disputes are unavoidable because of the family dynamics and personalities.  We help people resolve their probate litigation and disputes and assist them in bringing them to a peaceful resolution through negotiation and compromise.  If that is not possible, then we fight for our client’s rights every step of the way.  Everyone hopes that their final wishes will be carried out according to how they directed them in their Last will, but that is not always possible.  Family members sometimes squabble over these final decisions and wind up in court fighting each other.  When that happens, it can be disastrous, wasting financial resources and tearing families apart.  We work to minimize these hardships in order to provide a smooth transition for your family and help you resolve your family disputes.  Ultimately, Probate Administration and Litigation is where we help you finally and fully settle all the matters involved in your loved one’s estate and, when disputes and conflicts that have arisen along the way, we help you resolve them.