Bluffton Will Attorney 

Assisting Clients With Will Matters in South Carolina

Thinking about what will happen to your family and your property after you are gone rarely feels easy, but putting a clear plan in place can bring real peace of mind. At Collins Family & Elder Law Group, we help individuals and families in Bluffton and throughout the Lowcountry create wills that reflect their wishes and comply with South Carolina law. Our goal is to make the process straightforward, respectful, and focused on what matters most to you.

Our team has more than 200 years of combined experience in family law and elder law, and we draw on that background every time we guide a client through will planning. We understand the concerns that come up for parents of young children, retirees who have chosen this part of South Carolina as home, and adult children who are caring for aging parents. We work to answer your questions in plain language and help you design a plan that fits your life and your family.

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

Why Choose Us?

Many people assume that the law will take care of things if they do not have a will. In reality, South Carolina intestacy rules control who receives your assets when there is no valid will, and those rules may not match what you want for your family. For example, the law divides assets among a surviving spouse and children in set percentages, without considering blended families, stepchildren, or long-term partners who are not married.

Here in Bluffton and the surrounding Lowcountry communities, we see families that include second marriages, children from prior relationships, and relatives who live in several different states. Without a clear will, these situations can create confusion, hurt feelings, and, in some cases, court disputes that are costly and emotionally draining. A will allows you to decide who will handle your estate, who will care for minor children, and how you want property and personal items to be distributed.

A thoughtful plan can also make things easier for the people you love at a time when they are already dealing with grief. Instead of trying to guess what you would have wanted or arguing over decisions, your family can follow instructions that you have carefully considered in advance. We work to help Bluffton families define those instructions so they are clear, practical, and legally sound.

How Our Will Lawyers Guide You Through The Process

One of the most common reasons people delay planning is that they are not sure where to start. We aim to remove that barrier by offering a clear, step-by-step process and flexible meeting options, including phone and video consultations for clients who prefer to connect from home. Our focus is on making sure you are informed and comfortable at every stage.

During your initial consultation, we talk through your goals, your family structure, and your questions. You do not need to have everything figured out before we meet. We help you think about key decisions such as who should serve as your personal representative, who you trust to care for minor children, and what priorities you have for gifts to family members or charities. From there, we gather information about your assets and discuss how they are currently titled.

After we understand your situation, we outline planning options and explain how a will and related documents can work together. Once you decide how you want to proceed, we will prepare draft documents for your review and walk you through them in detail. When you are ready to sign, we guide you through the formalities that South Carolina requires, so your will is properly executed. Over time, we remain available to update your plan as your life changes.

What is a Will?

A will is more than a simple form. It is a legal document that allows you to direct how many important decisions will be handled when you are no longer here to speak for yourself. In South Carolina, a properly prepared will can name your personal representative, often called an executor, who will oversee your estate. It can also specify who should receive your home, your financial accounts that are part of the estate, and personal property that has meaning for you and your family.

If you have minor children, your will is the place where you can nominate a guardian to care for them if both parents pass away. Courts in Beaufort County, including the Beaufort County Probate Court, generally give serious consideration to the guardian you choose, although the court still reviews what is in the children’s best interests. By naming a guardian in advance, you reduce uncertainty and provide guidance to the court and to your family.

Your will should be coordinated with other parts of your plan. Some assets, such as life insurance policies or retirement accounts, may pass by beneficiary designation rather than under your will. We help you understand how these pieces work together so that your beneficiary designations, your will, and any other estate planning documents support the same overall goals. For many clients in Bluffton, this coordination is particularly important when they own property or have family connections in more than one state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need a will if I live in South Carolina?

Most adults benefit from having a will, even if they believe their situation is simple. Without a will, South Carolina intestacy laws generally determine who receives property in your estate, and those default rules may not match your wishes. For example, if you have a spouse and children, the law divides assets between them, regardless of family dynamics or financial needs.

A will allows you to choose who will handle your estate and who should receive specific assets or gifts. It also provides a place to nominate a guardian for minor children or dependents. Our attorneys help Bluffton clients understand how the default rules could apply to their situation and whether a will can provide better protection and clarity for their families.

What decisions will I need to make before we draft my will?

You do not need to have every detail decided before we meet, but thinking through a few core questions can be helpful. These include who you trust to serve as your personal representative, who you would want to care for minor children if both parents pass away, and how you would like your assets to be divided among family members or charities. It can also be useful to consider whether there are family items with special meaning that you want to leave to particular people.

During our conversations, we walk you through each of these decisions and explain the legal roles involved. If you are unsure about your options, we can talk through the pros and cons in light of your family’s situation. Our goal is to help you feel prepared, not pressured, so your will reflects your considered choices rather than rushed answers.

How often should I update my will as my life changes?

There is no single schedule that fits everyone, but many people review their wills every few years or when a major life event occurs. Common triggers for updates include marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, a move into or out of South Carolina, a significant change in assets, or the death or incapacity of someone named in your plan. Changes in family relationships can also make it important to revisit earlier decisions.

Because our firm handles both family law and elder law, we are familiar with the kinds of life changes that can affect your estate plan. When you come back to update your documents, we look at how new circumstances might interact with existing provisions. That way, your will continues to match your current priorities instead of reflecting a past season of your life.

How do wills work with special needs or Medicaid planning?

A will by itself does not control whether you or a loved one will qualify for Medicaid, but it can affect what happens to assets after death and how that may impact surviving family members who receive needs-based benefits. For example, leaving an inheritance directly to a person who relies on certain public benefits can, in some situations, change their eligibility. It is important to understand these interactions before finalizing your plan.

Because our firm regularly handles elder law, Medicaid planning, and special needs planning, we look at your will in the context of these broader issues. We can discuss planning structures that are designed to protect both financial resources and important benefits for a loved one who lives with a disability. Our aim is to help you make informed decisions so your good intentions do not lead to unintended consequences.

Can you help my family with probate when the time comes?

We do assist families with estate administration and related court processes when a loved one passes away. If you create your will with us, your personal representative and family members can contact our office for help carrying out the plan through the Beaufort County Probate Court or any other South Carolina probate court that is appropriate. Having worked with you on the front end gives us useful context when we assist your family later.

Our attorneys explain the steps that are typically involved, such as filing the will with the probate court, gathering information about assets and debts, and handling required notices and filings. The specific process can vary based on the size and complexity of the estate, but our goal is to provide steady guidance so your family does not feel alone at a difficult time. Knowing that this support is available can provide additional reassurance as you work on your will.

Contact Our Will Attorney in Bluffton Today

Preparing a will is one of the most practical ways you can care for the people you love. With help from Collins Family & Elder Law Group, you can create a South Carolina will that reflects your values, addresses your family’s unique situation, and fits within a broader plan for the future. Whether you are drafting your first will or updating an older document after a move to Bluffton, our team is ready to walk you through each step.

When you reach out to us, you can expect a professional yet approachable conversation about your goals, your questions, and your options. Our attorneys draw on extensive family and elder law experience, along with recognized credentials and insight into Lowcountry family needs, to help you make informed decisions. We offer phone and video consultations to make it easier to take that first step, even with a busy schedule or health limitations.

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