Bluffton Trust Attorney

Assisting Clients With Trust Matters in South Carolina

At Collins Family & Elder Law Group, we help families in Bluffton and across the Lowcountry understand whether a trust is right for them and how it can fit into a broader estate and elder law plan. We listen carefully to your goals, your family dynamics, and your questions, then work with you to build a plan that feels practical and manageable. Our team strives to make complex legal concepts feel clear, so you can move forward with confidence instead of uncertainty.

Our attorneys bring decades of combined experience in family law, elder law, and estate matters to every trust plan we create. That experience includes working with blended families, special needs planning, long-term care concerns, and estate administration in South Carolina, and it guides how we help you protect your loved ones today and in the years ahead.

Call us today at (843) 350-3383 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our trust lawyer in Bluffton.

Why Choose Us?

When you select a firm to help with a trust, you are choosing more than documents. You are choosing a team that will guide you through decisions that affect your spouse, your children, and your future care. Families turn to Collins Family & Elder Law Group because we combine substantial legal experience with a steady, compassionate approach to sensitive family issues.

Our attorneys have more than 200 years of collective legal experience serving clients across North Carolina and South Carolina. That breadth matters when trust planning intersects with divorce, second marriages, business interests, or elder law concerns. Our team includes a North Carolina Board Certified Family Law Specialist, Candace S. Faircloth, whose certification reflects advanced training and a focused commitment to family-related issues that often overlap with trusts and estates.

Several of our attorneys are regularly recognized by organizations such as Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, and Legal Elite. Attorney Shawna Collins has been peer reviewed by Martindale Hubbell, and attorney Jennifer Rodrigue has been honored as Best Family Law Attorney in the Lowcountry Parent Mom’s Choice Magazine for 2023 and 2024. These recognitions do not promise results in any one case, but they do show that our peers and our community value our work for families in this region.

When A Trust Can Help Protect Your Family

Many people first consider a trust when they experience a life change or see a friend struggle through a difficult estate. If you live in or near Bluffton, you may own a home, a vacation property, or a business interest, and you may have family members spread across several states. These realities can make it especially important to think ahead about how your assets will be managed if you become ill or after you pass away.

A trust can be helpful in a variety of situations. For example, a revocable living trust can help your loved ones manage your property if you become incapacitated and may allow certain assets to be administered with less court involvement in probate proceedings. Parents often use trusts to hold funds for children until they reach an age when they are better prepared to make financial decisions. Trusts can also be structured to support a child or adult with special needs while working to preserve eligibility for certain public benefits.

Trusts may also be useful when families are blended or when there are children from previous relationships. A carefully designed trust can help you provide for a current spouse, while also setting aside an inheritance for children from an earlier marriage. For couples who move to the Bluffton area from other states, reviewing existing plans and considering whether a South Carolina trust structure makes sense can provide important peace of mind.

Because our firm works in both family law and elder law, we are familiar with the kinds of conflicts and questions that can arise around inheritances, remarriage, and caregiving. When you speak with us, we focus on how a trust could serve as one part of a comprehensive plan that reflects your family’s real circumstances, not an abstract idea of what a family should look like.

Types Of Trusts 

Trusts are legal arrangements that allow one party to hold and manage property for the benefit of someone else. While the terminology can feel unfamiliar, many South Carolina families use trusts to address everyday concerns about control, protection, and long-term planning. We take time to explain the options in clear language, so you understand what each type of trust might accomplish.

Revocable Living Trusts

One common tool is the revocable living trust. During your lifetime, you generally remain in control as both the creator and the initial trustee, and you can change or revoke the trust while you have capacity. If you become incapacitated or pass away, the successor trustee you named steps in to manage or distribute the assets according to the instructions in the trust document. This structure can reduce the need for court involvement for property that has been properly titled into the trust.

Irrevocable Trusts 

Irrevocable trusts are usually less flexible, because they often involve giving up some control over the property placed inside. In exchange, they can offer different forms of protection, depending on how they are designed. In some situations, families use irrevocable trusts as part of long-term care or tax planning. Decisions about irrevocable trusts are highly fact-specific, and we walk clients through the potential benefits and tradeoffs before any commitments are made.

Other trust types that may be relevant include special needs trusts for loved ones who receive or may receive government benefits, and testamentary trusts created under a will that become effective after death. Each option has requirements under South Carolina law, and the best choice depends on your goals, your assets, and your family members’ needs. Our role is to help you understand how these structures function in this state, and to design a plan that lines up with your priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need a trust instead of just a will?

Whether you need a trust, a will, or both depends on your goals, your assets, and your family situation. Many people are well served by a will that directs how property is divided, while others benefit from the added structure and flexibility of a trust. For example, if you want to help your beneficiaries experience a smoother administration process for certain assets, or if you want to provide ongoing management for a minor, young adult, or vulnerable loved one, a trust can be a useful tool.

On the other hand, if your estate is relatively simple and your primary concern is naming beneficiaries and guardians for minor children, a will might be sufficient. When you meet with our team, we review your circumstances, explain how wills and trusts work under South Carolina law, and then talk through which approach or combination best supports your priorities. You do not need to decide in advance which option is right for you.

How long does it usually take to set up a trust?

The time needed to set up a trust varies based on how complex your situation is, how quickly information is gathered, and how many changes you want to make along the way. Many families complete the core planning and signing process over several weeks, though some matters move faster or require more time. The first step is an initial consultation where we learn about your goals and outline the process.

After that meeting, we typically work with you to collect details about your assets, intended beneficiaries, and preferred trustees. Once we have that information, we prepare draft documents and review them with you, making revisions as needed. Scheduling, decision making, and coordination with financial institutions can all affect the overall timeline. Our team strives to keep the process moving steadily while allowing you space to consider important choices.

Can you help if my family members live outside South Carolina?

We often work with clients whose children or other beneficiaries live in different states, and with families who own property in more than one jurisdiction. Our attorneys are licensed in South Carolina and North Carolina, and one attorney is also licensed in Washington, D.C., which gives us experience working with multi state family dynamics. In many cases, a South Carolina centered trust can still serve as the primary tool for managing local assets and carrying out your wishes.

When out of state relatives are involved, we talk with you about how communication and trustee selection will work in practice. If it makes sense, we can include provisions that account for distance, travel, or changes in who is best suited to serve. While we do not control how other states treat property or beneficiaries, we can work with you to design a plan that recognizes where your family actually lives and how they are likely to interact with your trust over time.

Who should I choose to serve as trustee of my trust?

Choosing a trustee is one of the most important decisions you will make in connection with a trust. The trustee should be someone you believe is honest, organized, and able to communicate well with the beneficiaries. For some families, a responsible adult child or sibling is a natural fit. For others, selecting a more neutral person or institution can reduce the risk of tension among relatives.

It can also be helpful to think about skills and availability. Managing a trust may involve recordkeeping, tax filings, and decisions about distributions, which can take time and attention. In your planning meetings, we talk through the people in your life, the level of complexity involved, and the benefits and challenges of different choices. We also discuss naming backups, so that there is a clear plan if your first choice cannot or no longer wishes to serve.

How often should I review or update my trust?

Trusts are designed to last for many years, but they are not meant to be forgotten once signed. It is wise to review your trust and related documents after major life events, such as marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, the death of a loved one, or a significant change in your financial situation. Moving to South Carolina or acquiring substantial property in the Bluffton area can also be good reasons to revisit an older plan.

Even without major changes, many people schedule a check in every few years to confirm that their trustees and beneficiaries are still appropriate and that their instructions reflect current wishes. When you work with our firm, we encourage you to contact us when life events occur so that we can discuss whether updates are needed. Our role does not end at signing, and we aim to be a continuing resource as your circumstances evolve.

Can a trust help if I am worried about long-term care costs?

A trust can be one element of planning for possible long term care, but it is not a stand alone solution. Some families explore certain irrevocable trust arrangements as part of a broader strategy that considers future care needs and potential Medicaid eligibility. Other families focus on revocable trusts combined with powers of attorney, which can make it easier for someone they trust to handle finances if health changes occur.

The right approach depends on your age, health, resources, and the timing of any care that may be needed. Rules around public benefits are complex and can change, so it is important to receive advice that reflects current law and your specific facts. During a consultation, we talk with you about your concerns, outline general planning options, and help you understand how a trust might fit into a long term care discussion.

What will happen in our first meeting about a trust?

In your first meeting with our team about a trust, our primary goal is to listen and learn about your situation. We typically ask about your family members, including any special circumstances or relationships that you want us to understand, as well as the types of assets you own. You do not need to have every detail or document ready; an overview is enough to start a productive conversation.

We then explain, in straightforward terms, how trusts and other planning tools work under South Carolina law, and we discuss which options may align with your goals. You will have time to ask questions, and we will outline possible next steps and what information would be helpful to gather if you decide to move forward. The meeting is an opportunity for you to get a sense of how we communicate and whether we are the right fit to guide you and your family.

Contact Our Bluffton Trust Lawyer Today

If you are ready to take the next step toward a more secure plan for your family, speaking with our team can help you move from uncertainty to a clear path forward. During a phone or video consultation, we will review your concerns, discuss how a trust might help under South Carolina law, and outline practical options tailored to your situation. You will leave the conversation with a better understanding of your choices and how we can assist you.

Collins Family & Elder Law Group regularly works with individuals and families in Bluffton and the surrounding Lowcountry who want to protect homes, businesses, and legacies. Our attorneys bring substantial experience in family law, elder law, and estate matters, and we aim to make the planning process as comfortable and straightforward as possible. Whether you live here year round or own property in this area while residing elsewhere, we are prepared to help you consider a trust plan that reflects your values and priorities.

Contact us today to get started with our Bluffton trust attorney.