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Estate Planning Attorney inMoncks Corner, 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 Moncks Corner, 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 Moncks Corner, 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 Moncks Corner, 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
Moncks Corner, 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 Moncks Corner, 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 Moncks Corner, 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 Moncks Corner, 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 Moncks Corner, 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 Moncks Corner, 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 Moncks Corner, 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 Moncks Corner, SC
Biggins Boat Landing closing for upcoming expansion project in Moncks Corner
Maya Brownhttps://www.live5news.com/2026/02/12/biggins-boat-landing-closing-upcoming-expansion-project-moncks-corner/
MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCSC) — The William H. Dennis “Biggins” Boat Landing in Moncks Corner is set to close on Feb. 15 for an upcoming expansion project.Santee Cooper plans to temporarily close the boat landing to start a major expansion and modernization project that will significantly improve public water access by expanding boating capacity, increasing parking, improving traffic flow and enhancing visitor safety.Project leaders also say the expansion will help support the growing recreation needs of Berkeley...
MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCSC) — The William H. Dennis “Biggins” Boat Landing in Moncks Corner is set to close on Feb. 15 for an upcoming expansion project.
Santee Cooper plans to temporarily close the boat landing to start a major expansion and modernization project that will significantly improve public water access by expanding boating capacity, increasing parking, improving traffic flow and enhancing visitor safety.
Project leaders also say the expansion will help support the growing recreation needs of Berkeley County.
“Berkeley County is rapidly growing and as part of that, there are more people using this boat landing,” Emily Tyner, Santee Cooper manager of corporate communications, said. “The current infrastructure doesn’t really support the growing demand, so the purpose of this project is to expand the public access to water.”
Tyner said the project will help improve public safety and will ensure the landing can serve both the current and future community needs.
Key elements of the project include expanding the existing two-lane boat ramp to a four-lane boat ramp, constructing two new staging docks, adding up to a total of 470 feet of docking space and adding two new ADA-compliant fishing piers.
“Santee Cooper is proud to serve our local community, and our partner with Berkeley County is built on that shared commitment,” Tyner says. “That includes promoting responsible growth and preserving access to our rivers and lakes.”
Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb says he’s looking forward to the completed project, and providing access to all their natural amenities is a high priority.
“We got a lot of families that work hard all week, so the opportunity to get out on the weekend or even during the day of the week and it not be aggravating, that’s it,” Cribb says. “If you view it as safe and if you can get in and out, you’re more likely to enjoy it. And we have a lot of boat owners in Berkeley County.”
Cribb adds that the more quality boat landings there are throughout the county will also help with traffic because less people will be driving on roads to be able to get to the river or creek they want to boat or fish in.
The landing will reopen in spring 2027. Officials stress to residents to use other boat landings in the area, including the Cypress Gardens Boat Landing and Bushy Park Boat Landing.
“We realize it is a very popular landing, so we appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation, as we make these major upgrades,” Tyner says.
Mini golf course opening soon in Johns Island, while Tractor Supply eyes Moncks Corner
Jenny Petersonhttps://www.postandcourier.com/business/retail/sea-island-golf-and-arcade-mini-golf-johns-island-opening/article_627ee843-3787-4c1f-bdee-cfd0537b96da.html
Drivers along Maybank Highway on Johns Island have been passing a bright green, retro-style sign promising miniature golf is “coming soon.”The wait is almost over.Sea Island Mini Golf & Arcade is slated to open in late February, bringing two full 18-hole micro-layouts and a large indoor arcade with several dozen games.The family-friendly entertainment hub at 3414 Maybank Highway features two separate courses — Alligator Alley and Swampville — ...
Drivers along Maybank Highway on Johns Island have been passing a bright green, retro-style sign promising miniature golf is “coming soon.”
The wait is almost over.
Sea Island Mini Golf & Arcade is slated to open in late February, bringing two full 18-hole micro-layouts and a large indoor arcade with several dozen games.
The family-friendly entertainment hub at 3414 Maybank Highway features two separate courses — Alligator Alley and Swampville — complete with fountains, sand traps and mini bridges behind a warehouse-style building and parking area.
More than 40 arcade games will be installed indoors, along with multiple televisions for watching sports, including golf and a concessions counter inside will serve up soft pretzels, ice cream, slushies, nachos and pretzels.
Pending a permit, the food truck will offer pizza, fries and chicken fingers. The owners have also applied for a beer and wine license.
Each hole on the courses is sponsored by a local business, and the first nine holes on each course are wheelchair accessible. The design allows players to complete a full 18-hole round by combining accessible holes across both courses. A practice putting green is included on site.
Co-owners Sandie and Michael Albenesius, who also own and operate St. John’s Kayaks and Boat Tours, said the idea grew out of a desire to offer more activities for teens and families on the island and nearby James Island. They own the Sea Island Mini Golf with two additional co-owners.
Transforming the former storage warehouse took several years.
Players on the mini golf course will receive putters, golf balls, a scorecard and a tiny pencil upon signing up to play the courses.
Outdoor seating, picnic tables and televisions — including coverage from the Golf Channel — are also part of the setup.
Initially, Sea Island Mini Golf & Arcade plans to operate Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. but will fluctuate based on weather or demand. The owners said hours will likely expand as demand grows, particularly heading into the summer season.
Beyond casual play, the venue plans to host birthday parties, corporate events, themed nights and group outings for kids and adults alike.
Rural retail
A national retailer of farm and rural lifestyle supplies is eyeing a new stire at Foxbank Plantation in Moncks Corner, near a community slated for nearly 3,000 homes.
Tractor Supply and PetSense by Tractor Supply have submitted plans to the S.C. Department of Environmental Services for a 21,930-square-foot retail outpost at 219 Foxbank Town Center. The project’s owner and developer is Twin Rivers Capital.
Tractor Supply carries farm supplies, pet and animal feed, clothing, tools, fencing and other rural essentials. PetSense offers grooming services and pet prescriptions.
Brentwood, Tenn.-based Tractor Supply is described as the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S. The chain operates 2,364 namesake stores in 49 states, along with 206 PetSense locations in 23 states.
The company has opened seven stores in the Charleston area since expanding to South Carolina in 2007.
Gold rush
Gold Digger, an antique jewelry store, repair shop and jewelry design studio, will open Feb. 7 in North Charleston's Park Circle area.
The address is 1080 E. Montague Ave.
Gold Digger is owned by Lisa Thomas and daughter Emma, who source pieces during their travels. Each item is inspected and prepared by a master jeweler.
Thomas also owns DIGS Charleston and DIGS Imports, a curated furniture shop located at the same address, as well as Out of Hand in the Old Village in Mount Pleasant.
In addition to antique and vintage jewelry, the shop will offer repair services and custom, one-of-a-kind jewelry design.
Get crackin’
A Cajun-style seafood boil restaurant has opened near Tanger Outlets in North Charleston. Happy Crab Seafood is now serving at 4950 Centre Pointe Drive.
Restore more
The Habitat for Humanity ReStore on the peninsula is now open on Mondays.
The home goods-focused shop at 731 Meeting St., accepts donations and sells discounted building materials, furniture and home products, with proceeds supporting affordable housing efforts in the Charleston area.
Updated store hours are Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunrise arrives
The wait is over for diners in Goose Creek to get their own outpost of a Johns Island-based diner.
Sunrise Bistro officially opened Feb. 3 at 216 St. James Ave., in the former Ti-Ney Bangkok II Restaurant.
Co-owner Brian Appelt launched the eatery in 2009 with business partner Jessica Welenteichick after the pair spent years working together at Hege’s Restaurant on Johns Island. Other Sunrise Bistro locations are in Mount Pleasant, Johns Island, Aiken and Summerville.
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