A trust puts your wishes in writing, gives someone you trust the authority to act on your behalf, and spares your family from having to guess at a time when they're already grieving.
At DeMott Law Firm, we build your trust around your goals, your family, and the life you've worked hard to create. Call (843) 695-0830 to take the first step.
Avoid probate: Assets held in a trust pass directly to your beneficiaries without the delays, costs, or public exposure of the probate process.
Protect your privacy: Unlike a will, a trust is not filed with the court, keeping your financial affairs and family details out of the public record.
Stay in control: You decide exactly how and when your assets are distributed, whether that's immediately, over time, or when beneficiaries reach certain milestones.
Plan for incapacity: If you become unable to manage your own affairs, a successor trustee can step in seamlessly with no court-appointed guardianship required.
Reduce family conflict: Clear, legally binding instructions help prevent misunderstandings and disputes among loved ones.
Many clients come to us unsure whether they need a will, a trust, or both. A will is simpler to create but requires probate. A trust avoids probate, keeps your affairs private, and gives you more control over when and how your beneficiaries receive assets.
Our short quiz can help you sort through the basics and see which option fits your situation.
Russell DeMott works with Hanahan families across a range of planning needs. He listens carefully, asks the right questions, and keeps the process from feeling more complicated than it needs to be.
His clients include young parents naming guardians for the first time, people planning for retirement, and families updating documents that no longer reflect their lives. The common thread: they left with a clear plan and the confidence of having a professional in their corner.
Our office at 300 N. Cedar Street, Suite A, Summerville, SC is about a 20 to 25-minute drive from Hanahan. You will find us in the Cedar Square office complex at the corner of N. Cedar and W. 2nd North Street.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday signing appointments are available once a month.
The main disadvantage is upfront cost and effort. Trusts cost more to create than wills and require you to transfer assets into the trust–called funding–for them to work. If you forget to retitle property or update beneficiary designations, those assets may still go through probate. Trusts also require ongoing management during your lifetime.
The five-year rule refers to Medicaid's look-back period. If you transfer assets to an irrevocable trust and apply for Medicaid within five years, those transfers may trigger a penalty that delays your eligibility for benefits. Assets in a revocable trust are not protected under this rule because you still control them. If Medicaid planning is a concern, timing matters–we can help you understand how the look-back period applies to your situation.
It depends on your goals. A will is simpler and works well for smaller estates, but it requires probate. A trust avoids probate, keeps your affairs private, and gives you more control over when and how beneficiaries receive assets. Many families use both–a trust for major assets and a pour-over will as a backup. The right choice depends on your estate size, family situation, and planning goals.
A trust helps protect your loved ones and preserve what you have built.
If you are ready to work with a Hanahan trust lawyer, call (843) 695-0830 to schedule a confidential consultation.
