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Estate Planning Attorney inDrayton, SC
Did you know that one in two U.S. citizens have yet to create a plan for their estate? Just about everyone knows they need to get their affairs in order, but most people procrastinate when it comes to estate planning. It's an uncomfortable subject to think about. After all, nobody wants to ponder their death and what happens to their assets when they pass. However, working with an estate planning lawyer in Drayton, SC, protects you, your loved ones, and your assets, both while you're alive and after you have died. There isn't a perfect time to plan your estate, but there is a right time and that time is now.
We understand that there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution to your estate planning needs. That's why, at Cobb Hammett Law Firm, we make a concerted effort to speak with our clients personally so that we can create an estate plan that is as unique as they are. Our estate plans are comprehensive, cost-effective, and catered to you. That way, your family is provided if you are incapacitated or pass away.
At the end of the day, our goal is to make sure that every one of our clients leaves our office feeling less stressed and more informed. Peace of mind is valuable currency these days. Why worry about the future of your loved ones when you can use South Carolina law to ensure their stability?
Many of the clients in Drayton, SC that walk through our doors have significant questions that require serious answers. They're filled with doubt, stress, and worry. They're worried about their children, their spouse, their relatives, or all the above. They ask questions like:
- How much does estate planning cost?
- What kind of results can I expect?
- How long will this process take?
If these questions sound familiar, know that you are not alone. At Cobb Hammett Law Firm, we have worked with hundreds of clients just like you. Sometimes, these clients are unsatisfied with their current estate planning attorney in Drayton, SC. Other times, they have been served with confusing papers or documents that leave them feeling overwhelmed. In either case, clients come to our office knowing they need to manage what is often a sudden, foreign situation.
The good news? We sit down with all new clients for an hour at no extra cost. We do so to get a basic sense of their situation and help steer them in the right direction. That way, they can leave our office feeling a little wiser and a lot better about the future.
Our firm specializes in several areas of estate planning and family law, including:
- Estate Planning
- Last Will and Testament
- Living Wills
- Heath Care Power of Attorney
- Living Wills
- Irrevocable Trusts
- Revocable Trusts
- Retirement Trusts
- Special Needs Trusts
The Cobb Hammett
Difference
At Cobb Hammett, LLC, estate planning is like second nature to us. Having worked hundreds upon hundreds of cases, we have the knowledge and experience to assist with all the estate planning needs that you or your family have.
As our client, you will always work directly with your attorney. We do not pass cases off to paralegals or junior associates. Because your concerns and questions don't end when our office closes, we encourage our clients to contact us at any time.
Because we limit the number of cases we accept, we have the time and resources to truly dedicate ourselves to each of our clients. Unlike some competitors, we care about the outcome of every case because we know that our clients' future depends on it.
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What is Estate Planning in
Drayton, SC?
The word "estate" might make you think of a sprawling mansion in the French countryside. The truth is, you don't have to be rich to have an estate. In fact, most people already have an estate. An estate comprises the assets that a person owns like cars, bank accounts, real estate, businesses, and other possessions. Everyone's estate is different, but we all have one thing in common: none of us can take our estates with us when we die. When that does eventually happen, you will need legal instructions that state who gets what from your estate in plain terms.That, in a nutshell, is estate planning building a framework in advance that names the organizations or people that should receive your assets after you die. Planning your estate now helps make life much easier for your family down the line.
A good estate plan covers more than fiscal assets, however. A comprehensive
estate plan should include the following:
- If you have children who are minors, instructions as to who will be their guardian when you die.
- Long-term care insurance if you suffer from an extended injury or illness.
- Instructions that dictate what happens to you and your financial affairs if you become incapacitated before death.
- Instructions on the transfer of your business after retirement, incapacity, disability, or death.
- Instructions on how to provide for loved ones who might need help managing money or who need protection from creditors.
- Probate and tax avoidance that help minimize court fees, taxes, and legal fees.
- Planning Medicaid payments.
- Instructions that help complete or update beneficiary designations.
- Assist family members who have special needs without disqualifying them from government benefits.
Contrary to popular belief, estate planning isn't just for adults who are approaching retirement age. Estate planning is for everyone. After all, we're all getting older, and none of us know exactly when it will be our time to go.
The Basics of Estate Planning
in Drayton, SC
Although estate planning can be complicated, a well-rounded plan makes a huge difference in what is left to your beneficiaries. Before you start planning your estate, it's important to know a few common topics that may arise as you detail your needs.
Working with a Tax Advisor and Estate Planning
Attorney in Drayton, SC
Working with a veteran estate planning lawyer is a no-brainer, but you should consider working with a tax advisor too. Your attorney's role is to help guide you through the creation of your estate planning documents. Common documents include your will, health care directives, and power of attorney. Your tax advisor will help guide you through tax issues associated with your estate planning needs.
In this relationship, you make the decisions while your attorney and tax advisor help you understand and think through the options you're considering. As a team, they will help you state your wishes clearly while minimizing mistakes and adjusting your plans as they change. Because significant savings can result from thorough, informed planning, you should seriously consider working with a tax advisor in addition to your estate planning attorney.
Maximizing
Your Estate
If there were one overriding theme of estate planning, it would be maximizing what you plan to leave behind. Thinking through how each of your assets will be distributed is crucial to your estate. Your decisions may change depending on the type of asset, its size, how old you are, and several other factors. With an attorney on your side, you will gain a thorough understanding of what actions you should take to care for your family while minimizing expenses like taxes and court fees.
Inheritance, Estate,
and Gift Taxes
One of the biggest parts of maximizing what you're leaving behind is to minimize taxes. Federal taxes on estates and gifts are incredibly high. Both forms of taxes usually have exemption limits, which means you can give up to a specific amount without being taxed. Your lawyer can achieve that by using the gift tax exemption to move assets while you are still alive. This strategy maximizes how much your beneficiaries will receive.
Inheritance taxes are often based on the value of your estate and paid prior to asset distribution to your beneficiaries.
Choosing the Executor of Your Will
The executor of your estate plays a key role in your affairs. Their responsibilities include carrying out the terms of your will and seeing the estate settlement process through until the end. Obviously, such a role demands a qualified person. Choosing your executor isn't an easy decision. The person you select should be great at managing money, be savvy financially, and show an ability to be patient. That's because the executor is tasked with:
- Collecting Your Assets
- Paying Outstanding Bills
- Submitting Tax Returns
- Petitioning the Court for Documents
- Distributing Assets to Your Beneficiaries
If the person that you choose as executor is inexperienced with the estate settlement process, it is recommended that they lean on an estate planning attorney in Drayton, SC for guidance. It should be noted that you may appoint more than a single executor to your estate. This is common when two individuals have complementary personalities or skill sets.
The Benefits of Estate Planning
in Drayton, SC
One of the biggest benefits of planning your estate is the peace of mind it brings to you and your family. With the help of our expert estate planning attorneys, you have the power to protect your assets, privacy, and children's welfare. You can also potentially save money on taxes or even avoid probate. By having your wishes legally documented before death or incapacity, you can minimize any impact on your beneficiaries and take control of your legacy. Without a comprehensive estate plan, you're leaving the future of your loved ones in the hands of the South Carolina court system.
With an estate plan in place, you can plan for incapacity by using a power of attorney or advanced medical directives. Doing so relieves your loved ones of the burden of asking the court for the authority to fulfill your wishes.
At Cobb Hammett Law Firm, we are committed to helping you prepare for both the expected and unexpected through years of experience and a fierce dedication to our clients. From establishing trusts to designing business succession plans, we are here to fight for you.
At Cobb Hammett we offer a "Will Package" that includes 4 necessary documents.
If a husband and wife each purchase reciprocating will packages we give a discount. Reciprocating just means the husband names the wife and the wife names the husband. Those four documents are:
- Last will and testament
- Healthcare power of attorney
- Durable power of attorney
- living will
Common Documents Included
in Your Estate Plan
As mentioned above, everyone's estate planning needs will be different. However, most plans include one or more of the following documents:
Will
Your will is an essential piece of documentation and is often considered the cornerstone of a proper estate plan. Generally speaking, your will is a document that dictates the distribution of your assets after your death. Having an iron-clad will is one of the best ways to make sure that your wishes are communicated clearly. As is the case with most estate planning, it is highly recommended that you work with an estate planning attorney in Drayton, SC, to create and update your will.
The contents of a will typically include:
- Designation of the executor, who is responsible for adhering to the provisions of your will.
- Designation of beneficiaries the people who will be inheriting your assets
- Instructions that dictate how and when your beneficiaries will receive assets.
- Instructions that assign guardianship for any minor children.
Without a will in place, the State of South Carolina will decide how to distribute assets to your beneficiaries. Allowing the state to distribute your assets is often an unfavorable route to take, since the settlement process may not include what you had in mind for your survivors. Having a will drafted that reflects your wishes will prevent such a situation from happening.
Living Will
Despite its name, a living will does not instruct your survivors on what assets go where. Also called an advanced directive, your living will allows you to state your end-of-life medical wishes if you have become unable to communicate. This important document provides guidance to family members and doctors and solidifies certain issues like whether you should be resuscitated after an accident.
For example, it's common to direct that palliative care (care to decrease pain and suffering) always be administered if needed. Conversely, you may state that certain measures are not allowed, like CPR.
Trusts
Traditionally, a trust is used to minimize estate taxes and maximize other benefits as part of a well-rounded estate plan. This fiduciary agreement lets a trustee hold your assets on behalf of your beneficiaries. There are many ways to arrange a trust to specify when and how your assets are distributed.
With a trust in place, your beneficiaries can avoid going to probate. That means they may be able to gain access to your assets quicker than when they are transferred with a standard will. Assets placed in a trust can pass outside of probate, which will save you and your family time, money, and stress.
There are two distinct trust categories that you should be aware of: revocable and irrevocable.
Revocable Trust:
Also called a living trust, a revocable trust helps assets circumvent probate. With this trust, you can control your assets while you are still alive. These trusts are flexible and may be dissolved at any point in time. This type of trust becomes irrevocable upon your death. Revocable trusts can help you avoid the pitfalls of probate but be aware that they are usually still taxable.
Irrevocable Trust:
This kind of trust transfers assets out of your estate so that they are not taxed and do not have to go through probate. However, once an irrevocable trust has been executed, it may not be altered. That means that once you establish this kind of trust, you lose control of its assets and cannot dissolve the trust. If your primary goal is to avoid taxes on your estate, setting up an irrevocable could be a wise choice.
When drafted with the help of an estate planning lawyer in Drayton, SC, your trust can also:
Protect Your Legacy:
When constructed properly, a trust can protect your estate from your heirs' creditors. This can be a huge relief for beneficiaries who might need to brush up on money management skills.
Privacy and Probate:
Probate records are made available for public consumption. With a trust, you may have the choice of having your assets pass outside of probate court so that they remain private. In the process, you may also save money that you would lose to taxes and court fees.
Control Wealth:
Because you can specify the exact terms of a trust, you have more control over who receives your assets and when they receive them. As an example, you can set up a revocable trust so that your assets are attainable while you're alive. When you pass, remaining assets are distributed, even in complex situations involving children from multiple marriages.
The Top Estate Planning Law Firm in the Lowcountry
If you know that you need to provide for your family and loved ones after your death, it's time to develop your estate plan. With Cobb Hammett Law Firm by your side, planning your estate doesn't have to be difficult. However, it does need to be accurate and executed exactly to your wishes something that we have been helping clients achieve for years. Don't leave your legacy up to chance contact our office today and secure your future generations.
CONTACT USLatest News in Drayton, SC
South Carolina set to hire Stan Drayton as running backs coach
John Whittlehttps://247sports.com/college/south-carolina/article/stan-drayton-hire-south-carolina-gamecocks-running-backs-coach-265809038/
247Sports Embed ResourceSouth Carolina head coach Shane Beamer is bringing in a running backs coach with more than 30 years of coaching experience. Stan Drayton, joining the Gamecocks' football staff, was a collegiate head coach, an NFL position coach and also a two-time national championship winner.TheBigSpur.com's JC Shurburtt reported on Wednesday morning that "all signs point to Drayton" as the hire.Drayton, who spent the last year at Penn State, has coached seven 1,000-yard rush...
247Sports Embed Resource
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer is bringing in a running backs coach with more than 30 years of coaching experience. Stan Drayton, joining the Gamecocks' football staff, was a collegiate head coach, an NFL position coach and also a two-time national championship winner.
TheBigSpur.com's JC Shurburtt reported on Wednesday morning that "all signs point to Drayton" as the hire.
Drayton, who spent the last year at Penn State, has coached seven 1,000-yard rushers, five NFL Draft picks and two All-Americans during his 32-year coaching career. Prior to his time with the Nittany Lions, he spent the previous three seasons as the head coach at Temple.
The Gamecocks are getting a well-traveled running backs coach who began his career at his alma mater, Allegheny College, in 1993, a place he was a three-time first-team All-American. He coached at 13 different schools over his 32-year career and also spent time in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers for three seasons and the Chicago Bears for two.
Drayton has multiple SEC stops with the first being at Mississippi State in 2004 when he was on the same staff as Beamer, the cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator at the time. Drayton then went to Florida for three seasons, then Tennessee in 2008. After spending the 2009 season at Syracuse, he went back to Florida for another season.
South Carolina is in need of a running backs coach after Beamer elected to fire Marquel Blackwell following the season. Blackwell coached the Gamecocks' running backs for each of the last two seasons and followed Montario Hardesty, who was fired after three seasons with the program.
The Gamecocks will lose three scholarship running backs from last year's team with Rahsul Faison, Oscar Adaway III and Bradley Dunn all graduating. Walkons Nathan Harris-Waynick and Larry Scott are also departing.
Scholarship running backs scheduled to return are Isaiah Augustave, Jawarn Howell and Matt Fuller. Augustave played only seven offensive snaps on the season while Howell played 73 and Fuller played 178. The trio combined for 341 yards on 88 carries and two touchdowns, both by Fuller.
South Carolina has yet to officially announce the hire of any new coaches this offseason, so Beamer has three spots on his staff to fill. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Shula along with offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley were both fired during the season.
The Gamecocks are with TCU offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kendal Briles for the same position.
South Carolina hires Briles, Drayton, and Clements with major contracts
Lauren Beasleyhttps://garnetandcocky.com/south-carolina-hires-briles-drayton-and-clements-with-major-contracts
South Carolina Football has officially filled three key offensive coaching vacancies on December 11, 2025. This completes a major staff overhaul as the Gamecocks move towards a more dynamic offensive identity under head coach Shane Beamer. A press conference introducing the new staff is scheduled for December 12.The Hires: Kendal Briles, Stan Drayton, Randy ClementsBriles arrives in Columbia after serving as offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and associate head coach at TCU Horned Frogs. Known for his up‑tempo, pass...
South Carolina Football has officially filled three key offensive coaching vacancies on December 11, 2025. This completes a major staff overhaul as the Gamecocks move towards a more dynamic offensive identity under head coach Shane Beamer. A press conference introducing the new staff is scheduled for December 12.
The Hires: Kendal Briles, Stan Drayton, Randy Clements
Briles arrives in Columbia after serving as offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and associate head coach at TCU Horned Frogs. Known for his up‑tempo, pass‑friendly schemes that have generated top‑tier passing numbers, Briles is tasked with reworking a Gamecock offense that struggled tremendously in 2025.
Drayton is a veteran with over 30 years of experience. His resume includes multiple stops at the collegiate and NFL level. Drayton joins South Carolina from Penn State. He brings experience that includes developing 1,000‑yard rushers and mentoring future NFL backs, along with prior head coaching experience at Temple.
Clements, also from TCU alongside Briles, takes over the offensive line room. His hiring represents continuity with Briles’ offensive vision. Clements is bringing in a coaching style familiar with successful blocking concepts and front‑five philosophy.
Contracts & Financials
South Carolina's Board of Trustees announced the following contracts on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025:
What This Means for Carolina Football
After a disappointing 4–8 season, these three coaches being hired represent a clear strategic pivot point for the Gamecocks, specifically on offense. Beamer has invested in veteran coaching experience and schematic versatility, signaling urgency to improve scoring, recruiting, and player development ahead of the 2026 season. Stay tuned to Garnet and Cocky for full quotes and depth chart impacts following the Dec. 12 press conference.
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Why Shane Beamer said he only considered Stan Drayton for South Carolina RB coach
Lulu Kesinhttps://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/college/usc/2025/12/12/stan-drayton-south-carolina-football-shane-beamer/87724038007/
COLUMBIA — Twenty one years ago, Shane Beamer met two important people in Starkville, Mississippi.His now wife Emily, and Stan Drayton.Beamer, then a Mississippi State cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator, met Emily in the press box and worked with Drayton, who was the Bulldogs running backs coach.Beamer will celebrate 20 years of marriage in June and is currently celebrating hiring Drayton as South Carolina football's new running backs coach.Drayton is one of three new offensive coaches hired on Dec...
COLUMBIA — Twenty one years ago, Shane Beamer met two important people in Starkville, Mississippi.
His now wife Emily, and Stan Drayton.
Beamer, then a Mississippi State cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator, met Emily in the press box and worked with Drayton, who was the Bulldogs running backs coach.
Beamer will celebrate 20 years of marriage in June and is currently celebrating hiring Drayton as South Carolina football's new running backs coach.
Drayton is one of three new offensive coaches hired on Dec. 11 and introduced in a press conference on Dec. 12. His new contract is for three years, worth $775,000 per year.
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!"Stan is what I've been looking for at the running back position since I got hired in December of 2020," Beamer said with Drayton sitting to his right. "He is the total package. I've worked with him. I know the kind of person he is."
Beamer fired Marquel Blackwell on Dec. 4 after two seasons at the position, as the run game dropped from fourth in the SEC to 15th from 2024 to 2025.
Drayton spent this season at Penn State and will finish with the Nittany Lions (6-6) when they face Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 27 in Yankee Stadium.
Beamer fired Montario Hardesty after three seasons (2021-23) then hired Blackwell. The hiring process for Drayton was a little different.
"When I made the change at running back (coach) there was one running backs coach that I thought of, there was one running backs coach that I called, there was one running backs coach that I offered a job to and no one else," Beamer said. "It was this guy right here because I know what he's about."
Sylvester Croom, the first African American head football coach in the SEC, was at MSU from 2004-08 and hired both Beamer (from Tennessee) and Drayton to his staff. It was Beamer's first full-time coaching job but Drayton left the Green Bay Packers for the college position.
"I think coach Croom was probably looking for young coaches that he could hire cheap and Stan and I fit the bill on that," Beamer joked. "We only spent one year together, but it was a powerful year for me to be able to learn to see his work ethic, what he's about as a running back coach."
When Drayton left to take the running back job at Florida in 2005, Beamer took Emily to Drayton and his wife Monique's house to say goodbye, a move that Beamer joked was to impress his then girlfriend to show the life they could have if he continued coaching.
Drayton has over 30 years of experience coaching running backs, with the last decade spent with the Chicago Bears, Texas and Temple before Penn State.
"The decision was easy for me," Drayton said. "There hasn't been many opportunities in 33 years where I can work with or for someone that I can absolutely let my hair down and be me and know exactly what's expected of me and know exactly what I can expect of that person. So it's an honor to be here."
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
South Carolina Football Looking to Name Penn State's Stan Drayton as the Next Running Backs Coach
Alex Joycehttps://www.si.com/college/southcarolina/south-carolina-football-looking-to-name-penn-state-s-stan-drayton-as-the-next-running-backs-coach-01kbzbf2tny4
South Carolina continues it's overhaul of the offensive staff, as Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks are targeting and looking to name Stan Drayton as the team's next running backs coach, per On3 Sports' Pete Nakos. Should Drayton accept the role he will join the staff in Columbia following the departure of Marquel Blackwell on Dec 4.This is the third running backs coach to join the program in Beamer's tenure, a list that includes Montario Hardesty (2021-2023) and Blackwell (2024-2025). Drayton has been coaching for 32 years, with 25 of t...
South Carolina continues it's overhaul of the offensive staff, as Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks are targeting and looking to name Stan Drayton as the team's next running backs coach, per On3 Sports' Pete Nakos. Should Drayton accept the role he will join the staff in Columbia following the departure of Marquel Blackwell on Dec 4.
This is the third running backs coach to join the program in Beamer's tenure, a list that includes Montario Hardesty (2021-2023) and Blackwell (2024-2025). Drayton has been coaching for 32 years, with 25 of those years teaching running backs. His stops included Penn State, Texas, Ohio State, Florida, and Mississippi State.
Bringing Championship Caliber Experience
In his early coaching tenure, Drayton was a part of two national championship squads (Florida and Ohio State). He is an excellent recruiter bringing in players like Cam Newton to Florida and Bijan Robinson to Texas. South Carolina is getting one of the best recruiters in the country along with a proven developer.
Drayton helped develop players like Robinson, Roschon Johnson, and Keaontay Ingram while at Texas. This season at Penn State. Nicholas Singleton carried the ball 123 times for 549 yards and 13 touchdowns. His counterpart Kaytron Allen 210 carries for 1,303 yards and 15 touchdowns.
This isn't the first time Drayton and South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer has crossed paths. Both guys were in Starkville together at Mississippi State in 2004. Drayton is the latest offensive staff hire that also included TCU offensive coordinator Kendal Briles to the same role on Monday, and TCU assistant offensive line coach Randy Clements as the team's new offensive line coach.
Running the ball was a struggle all year long for a Gamecocks squad that finished near the bottom of the SEC in every major statistical category. This season the team averaged 111.08 rushing yards per game (15th in the SEC), 3.24 yards per carry (last in the SEC), and 1,333 total rushing yards (15th in the SEC) despite being 10th in rushing attempts in conference (411).
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