Greenville Trusts and Estates Lawyer Helps Clients Accomplish Goals

South Carolina firm prepares legal instruments to protect and shift assets

At the Dennison Law Firm, P.C. in Greenville, attorney Carole Dennison has more than 30 years of experience delivering knowledgeable, practical counsel to clients, including skillful guidance on trusts and estate matters. My firm is committed to protecting the people and assets most important to you, which often means making arrangements that maximize the benefit to your loved ones. Trusts are an excellent legal tool to transfer assets for future use while setting strict guidelines for how, when and to whom those assets can be dispersed. It is much harder to enforce such conditions when bequeathing assets in a will. Best of all, trusts are highly customizable and can be set up for many different purposes. Using a personalized approach that lets you understand how a trust can work in conjunction with other estate planning methods, my firm will help you determine what solutions work best for you.

Skillful attorney establishes family, charitable and special-needs trusts

Trusts may be revocable or irrevocable depending upon whether the terms can be changed. A trustee, often the trust creator, is legally responsible for carrying out the directions that are stated in the document. In most cases, a trust starts as revocable so that the creator can shift assets, revise terms or dissolve the trust entirely if so desired. Most estate planning trusts become irrevocable when the creator passes away. Often at this point, assets are dispersed to the named beneficiaries. Many families use trust instruments to avoid the probate process.

Different kinds of trusts are established for specific purposes. Three common examples are:

• Special needs trusts — Many family members seek to establish sound financial protection for a loved one with special needs, providing for present and future living expenses. I can also analyze whether you’ll be able to create a program that allows a beneficiary to remain eligible for Supplemental Security Income or other government benefits.
• Charitable trusts — Leaving a legacy that benefits a charity or social cause can be enormously satisfying and meaningful. I’ll help you set up a charitable trust that accomplishes your objectives.
• Family trusts — Establishing a family trust allows you to assist the people close to you while retaining an ability to control how assets are used. Funds and property can be transferred into the trust over time and can be shifted to beneficiaries on a certain date or when a specified event occurs.

Many trusts have tax implications and how they are structured may influence whether the estate is subject to probate. My firm will work to find the most appropriate trust to meet your goals and will walk you through all necessary legal and logistical steps to create it.

Contact a knowledgeable South Carolina trusts and estates lawyer for a free consultation

The Dennison Law Firm, P.C. in Greenville serves clients throughout Upstate South Carolina, including Easley, Pickens, Laurens, Greenwood, Spartanburg and Anderson counties. To take advantage of a free, initial 30-minute consultation with an experienced trusts and estates lawyer, please call 864-214-2463 or contact me online.