When faced with life changing issues, you should have access to a trained professional to assist you with making decisions that will have life-long ramifications.
What You Need to Know
Executor Responsibilities Explained
Serving as the executor or personal representative of an estate is both an honor and a significant responsibility. It requires a combination of legal compliance, administrative accuracy, and thoughtful communication — often during a time of grief. If you’ve been named to this role, you’ll need to file the will with the probate court, open an estate account, notify interested parties, manage assets, handle debts and taxes, and ultimately distribute property according to the decedent’s wishes or state law. Mistakes can lead to delays or even legal liability. That’s why our firm works closely with executors to provide guidance, clarify obligations, and ensure everything is handled properly. You don’t have to navigate this alone — we’re here to make the role manageable and the process as smooth as possible.
Timeline of Probate in South Carolina
Probate is a process — and like any legal process, it takes time. In South Carolina, a straightforward probate case typically takes anywhere from six months to a year, depending on the complexity of the estate and the court’s caseload. The process begins by filing a petition with the probate court to appoint a personal representative. Once appointed, that representative must notify heirs and creditors, inventory and value the estate's assets, pay any outstanding debts or taxes, and eventually distribute what remains to the rightful beneficiaries. Along the way, deadlines and documentation requirements can become overwhelming without legal guidance. We help ensure nothing is missed, keeping the process moving efficiently while protecting your interests at every stage.
Meet the Attorney
Dennis M. Gerald has been serving the people of South Carolina with integrity and dedication since 1989. A Columbia native and proud graduate of the University of South Carolina, Dennis founded The Gerald Law Firm to provide clients with personalized, principled legal representation during some of life’s most sensitive and significant moments.
Over the years, Dennis’s practice has evolved to reflect his passion for service and his deep understanding of the legal issues that matter most to families and individuals. Today, The Gerald Law Firm focuses exclusively on estate planning, probate administration, guardianships and conservatorships, and adoption law.
Whether guiding clients through the loss of a loved one, helping prepare for the future, or celebrating the formation of new families, Dennis approaches every case with clarity, compassion, and confidence built over decades of practice.
