How do you know if rich Aunt Susan left her favorite nephew all the family fortune? If you watch a lot of television, you may think that the lawyer calls the family together and reads the will aloud, announcing the lucky "winner" in dramatic fashion. Well, you'd be wrong.
In South Carolina, there is no formal event such as a reading of the will. When someone dies, the person in possession of the will has 30 days to file the will with the county probate court.
All immediate family members will receive notice of the probate of the will and anyone who is named in the will also receives notice. The initial notice sent to everyone is called the Information to Heirs and Devisees. If someone would like to receive more information, they will need to file a Demand for Notice with the probate court. Just because someone receives the Information to Heirs and Devisees notice, does not mean that they will get anything from the deceased person's estate.
If you think you should receive something, you should file a Demand for Notice and consult with a probate attorney as soon as possible to protect any rights you may have.
If you have questions or need assistance with probate matters, or if you would like to avoid probate for your own estate, you can contact LawyerLisa for a consultation.
