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Estate Planning Attorney inGreenville, 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 Greenville, 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 Greenville, 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 Greenville, 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
Greenville, 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 Greenville, 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 Greenville, 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 Greenville, 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 Greenville, 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 Greenville, 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 Greenville, 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 Greenville, SC
SC health officials report 26 new measles cases in Spartanburg County
Baker Maultsbyhttps://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/health/2026/01/06/spartanburg-county-measles-outbreak-sc-cases/88047421007/
Spartanburg County's outbreak of measles has surpassed 200 cases as state officials on Jan. 6 reported 26 new infections.According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, 19 of the new cases resulted from exposures within households. Four infections occurred at church. The source of one infection is unknown, and two others are under investigation.There are currently 144 people under quarantine.DPH also confirmed that four people, including adults and children, have been admitted to the hospital due to measles ...
Spartanburg County's outbreak of measles has surpassed 200 cases as state officials on Jan. 6 reported 26 new infections.
According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, 19 of the new cases resulted from exposures within households. Four infections occurred at church. The source of one infection is unknown, and two others are under investigation.
There are currently 144 people under quarantine.
DPH also confirmed that four people, including adults and children, have been admitted to the hospital due to measles complications.
The total number of cases since the outbreak began in early October has reached 211.
The outbreak has been mostly centered in Spartanburg's Eastern European immigrant community.
In December, DPH reported that 38 infections were linked to an exposure of the highly contagious virus at Way of Truth Church, a Slavic language church in Inman.
According to the Jan. 6 update, measles exposures have occurred at three additional Slavic churches — Tabernacle of Salvation Church, Slavic Pentecostal Church of Spartanburg, and Ark of Salvation Church. There was also an exposure at Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg, DPH officials said.
DPH officials said the new infections led to exposures at two schools — Sugar Ridge Elementary and Boiling Springs Elementary. The agency began informing families and school employees about the exposures on Dec. 31.
Health experts say the best defense against measles is the two-dose MMR vaccine. A 95 percent rate of immunization is needed to ensure what's known as "herd immunity," a level of protection that makes it difficult for a virus to spread within a community.
The vaccination rate among students at Sugar Ridge Elementary is 77.53 percent. At Boiling springs Elementary, 80.4 percent students are vaccinated.
There have been measles exposures in other public settings including medical clinics.
Over the weekend, DPH reported exposures at Nose Dive restaurant and Best Buy, both in Greenville, on Dec. 24 and the downtown headquarters of the Spartanburg Library on Dec. 27.
Greenville County, SC – Deputy Crash: Injuries Minor, Probe Ongoing
Country Herald Police Reportshttps://countryherald.com/news/greenville-county-sc-deputy-crash-injuries-minor-probe-ongoing/
Greenville County, SC – A Greenville County Sheriff’s Office deputy was involved in a traffic collision around midday, sending both parties to the hospital with minor injuries, authorities said.According to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred at approximately 12:35 p.m. near the intersection of West Blue Ridge Drive and West Bramlett Road. The deputy and the other driver involved both sustained minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Full recoveri...
Greenville County, SC – A Greenville County Sheriff’s Office deputy was involved in a traffic collision around midday, sending both parties to the hospital with minor injuries, authorities said.
According to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred at approximately 12:35 p.m. near the intersection of West Blue Ridge Drive and West Bramlett Road. The deputy and the other driver involved both sustained minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Full recoveries are expected.
The incident prompted a response from South Carolina Highway Patrol, which has taken over the investigation to determine the cause of the collision. No additional details were immediately released regarding how the crash occurred or whether any citations were issued.
Traffic in the area experienced brief slowdowns as emergency crews responded and vehicles were cleared from the roadway. Drivers traveling through the West Blue Ridge Drive corridor were advised to use caution during the early afternoon hours while first responders worked the scene.
Officials did not identify the deputy or the other driver involved, and the sheriff’s office has not indicated whether the deputy was on duty at the time of the crash. As standard protocol, an independent agency is handling the investigation due to law enforcement involvement.
Updates are expected as Highway Patrol completes its review. Residents who travel through this part of Greenville County regularly may want to monitor traffic conditions during peak hours, as follow-up investigative activity could cause intermittent delays.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for more relevant news stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have a tip? Message us!
Windy conditions likely the cause of fire reigniting at Upstate dental office, officials say
Nate Stanleyhttps://www.wyff4.com/article/windy-fire-reignites-carolina-dental-group-greenville/69881794
GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. —Windy conditions are likely the cause of a reignited fire at the scene of a damaged dental office.Firefighters with the Boiling Springs Fire Department were cleaning up on Monday following a large fire that damaged the Carolina Dental Group building, which is located off Pelham Road."We were notified about the fire shortly after 10:40 p.m. last night. We arrived. We had flames through the roof. Crews put up two aerial devices and flowed a lot of water. [We] got the fir...
GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. —
Windy conditions are likely the cause of a reignited fire at the scene of a damaged dental office.
Firefighters with the Boiling Springs Fire Department were cleaning up on Monday following a large fire that damaged the Carolina Dental Group building, which is located off Pelham Road.
"We were notified about the fire shortly after 10:40 p.m. last night. We arrived. We had flames through the roof. Crews put up two aerial devices and flowed a lot of water. [We] got the fire extinguished and under control very quickly," said Capt. Chris Camacho.
However, firefighters were called back on scene hours later because the fire had started back up.
"Even if it's 10, 12, 15 miles an hour, if it's persistent, you can have very large impacts on fire suppression operations. That's wild land or even just grass and brush fires all the way up to structure fires with vinyl siding or commercial structure fire similar to this one," Camacho said.
Camacho said with the windy conditions, nearby businesses are fortunate this fire wasn't worse.
"We had very high flame links coming out of the top of the building, and we did have some persistent wind, although it wasn't as high as it is right now. But just with that little bit of wind and the tall flames, we were very fortunate that no embers were scattered or ignited any other remote spot fires," he said.
He said the goal now is to keep the building secure.
"Operations today are making sure the fire is completely extinguished. We'll do everything we can to prevent another rekindling. Then we'll resecure the building and work with investigators," he said.
No cause of the first fire has been released.
Greenville Triumph SC appoints Dave Dixon as Head Coach
USLSoccer.com Staffhttps://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1351930?referrer_id=3067503
GREENVILLE, SC – Greenville Triumph SC has appointed Dave Dixon as its new head coach, the club announced today. Dixon will lead the Triumph into its eighth season as the club prepares to move into its new stadium at BridgeWay Station in Mauldin during the 2026 season. Dixon, the third head coach in Triumph history, takes over following Rick Wright’s retirement.Dixon comes to Greenville from the Charlotte Independence. He served as Charlotte's assistant coach for two years in 2019 and 2020 and again from 2...
GREENVILLE, SC – Greenville Triumph SC has appointed Dave Dixon as its new head coach, the club announced today. Dixon will lead the Triumph into its eighth season as the club prepares to move into its new stadium at BridgeWay Station in Mauldin during the 2026 season. Dixon, the third head coach in Triumph history, takes over following Rick Wright’s retirement.
Dixon comes to Greenville from the Charlotte Independence. He served as Charlotte's assistant coach for two years in 2019 and 2020 and again from 2024-2025, including their historic playoff run in 2024 which culminated with a runners-up finish in the USL League One Final. He also has ties to club soccer within the Carolinas as the Director of Soccer for FC Carolina from 2021-2024.
"I'm honored and excited to be the next Head Coach of the Greenville Triumph," said Dixon. "It is a legacy club within the USL that has a rich history and championship pedigree. I'm really looking forward to working alongside Sporting Director Zach Prince to build a championship-caliber team for the community and our great fan base, and to make more history as we move into GE Vernova Park. I can't wait to see all the fans pack the stadium and help support our team as we compete for a championship this season."
Known for his ability to scout and identify talented young players, Dixon will work alongside newly appointed GM and Technical Director Zach Prince to shape the Triumph roster for 2026 and beyond.
"Bringing Dave into our club is a major step forward and I have complete confidence that he is the right person to lead this team," said Prince. "Dave is one of the most respected coaches in the USL, with an exceptional level of knowledge and experience developing players in the U.S. The team will reflect his clear, demanding identity—playing with aggression and intensity. Both on and off the field, Dave sets the standard for professionalism and accountability, bringing people together by leading with humility and integrity."
Dixon brings a strong USL resume, spending time with Indy Eleven (USL Championship), the Charlotte Eagles and Mississippi Brilla FC (USL League Two) in addition to the Independence (League One). Dixon spent six seasons with the Charlotte Eagles in USL League Two, serving as an assistant and head coach from 2013-2018. During his time as head coach with the Eagles, he was named USL League Two Coach of the Year in 2015 and led the Eagles to a national title in 2017.
Dixon, originally a native of DuBois, Pennsylvania, began his career in collegiate athletics at Roberts Wesleyan College and later moved on to roles at Belhaven College, Milligan College, and Temple University. In addition to his 29 years of coaching, Dixon also pulls from his experience as a goalkeeper at the collegiate and professional level at Houghton College and the Charlotte Eagles, respectively.
Dixon will bring a wealth of experience as the Triumph looks to rebuild in 2026 after missing the playoffs for the first time in the club’s history. He holds a US Soccer A License and a United Soccer Coaches Association Premier license. Dixon’s support staff for the 2026 season will be announced in the coming weeks.
Greenville–Spartanburg SC December Weather Today: Wind Gusts Near 30 mph Could Slow Sunday Travel
County Herald Weather Centerhttps://countryherald.com/news/greenville-spartanburg-sc-december-weather-today-wind-gusts-near-30-mph-could-slow-sunday-travel/
South Carolina – South Carolina’s Upstate wakes to a damp, gray sky this morning, with low clouds sliding across the foothills and a brisk northwest breeze rattling loose branches. Pavement looks wet across I-85 and US-29, signaling the first hints of a shifting December weather pattern as holiday travel begins to build.Gusty northwest winds will continue through the day, with speeds reaching 28 to 30 mph east of the mountains before gradually easing later. These winds wil...
South Carolina – South Carolina’s Upstate wakes to a damp, gray sky this morning, with low clouds sliding across the foothills and a brisk northwest breeze rattling loose branches. Pavement looks wet across I-85 and US-29, signaling the first hints of a shifting December weather pattern as holiday travel begins to build.
Gusty northwest winds will continue through the day, with speeds reaching 28 to 30 mph east of the mountains before gradually easing later. These winds will push noticeably colder air into Greenville–Spartanburg, sending wind chills into the teens by this evening. For drivers, that means crosswinds on elevated roadways and rapid cooling on shaded bridges — a setup that can encourage early-season slick spots where lingering moisture refreezes.
Skies turn sunnier by midday, and the temperature falls steadily toward the lower 30s by late afternoon as dry air wins out. To be fair, this is not a winter storm setup, but it is a classic December cold-snap transition, and residents should secure outdoor decorations and plan for a quick chill on evening errands.
Monday brings quieter conditions, with sunshine returning and highs near 39°. Light winds shift southwest, making the air feel a bit more tolerable by midday. By Tuesday, Upstate skies shine bright, temperatures rebound toward 51°, and early Christmas travel improves across the region.
Meteorologists continue watching a broader pattern change across the East — nothing imminent yet, but the early-week cold push hints at more winter teases as we approach Christmas week.
How breezy does it feel in your neighborhood this morning? Share your local conditions below.
Five-Day Outlook (Sun–Thu)
• Today: Becoming sunny; high 44°. Winds gust 28–30 mph.• Monday: Sunny; high 39°.• Tuesday: Sunny; high 51°.• Wednesday: Partly sunny; high 58°.• Thursday: Partly sunny; high 56°.
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