Probate Litigation Attorney in Charleston

Civil Litigation Experience & Engineering Analysis for Contested Estate Disputes in Charleston, SC

When a loved one’s estate becomes the subject of a dispute, you need more than general legal help. Probate litigation is a distinct discipline: contested hearings, fiduciary claims, and asset tracing that routine estate administration never touches. At Sanders Law Firm, LLC, founding attorney T.O. Sanders brings civil litigation experience across local, state, and federal courts and an engineering background to this work, combining courtroom representation with the technical analysis needed to trace and value disputed assets.

T.O. Sanders earned his engineering degree from Clemson University in 1989 and his law degree from the University of South Carolina in 1992. That combination shapes how we approach contested estate matters: methodically, with close attention to the financial and documentary details involved. Charleston families facing a probate dispute don’t need to hire separate litigation counsel and an outside valuation expert. We handle both.

If you’re facing a will contest, a fiduciary dispute, or any other contested probate matter in the Charleston area, contact Sanders Law Firm, LLC at (843) 573-8828 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Types of Probate Disputes We Handle

Probate litigation covers two broad categories of conflict. The first involves challenges to a will itself, whether over its validity or the way assets are distributed. The second involves the conduct of the people responsible for managing the estate. Both types of disputes can be heard before the Charleston County Probate Court, and we represent clients on either side of these claims.

Will Contests

A will contest challenges whether a will should be enforced as written. We represent clients in disputes over validity and distribution when a conflict arises and the estate can’t proceed through ordinary informal administration.

Fiduciary Duty Claims

Personal representatives and trustees hold positions of legal responsibility to beneficiaries. When a fiduciary fails that obligation, whether by delaying administration, mishandling assets, or self-dealing, litigation may be necessary to protect beneficiaries’ interests. Our probate court representation covers these claims directly.

How Contested Matters Move Through Charleston County Probate Court

Most estates in Charleston County proceed through informal administration without a hearing. When a dispute arises, that changes. A formal probate proceeding requires filing a Summons and Petition, serving all interested parties, and presenting testimony at a scheduled hearing. The Charleston County Probate Court, presided over by Judge Irvin G. Condon, opens approximately 2,200 estates and tries approximately 400 litigated cases each year. Document submission runs through the court’s EZ-Filing electronic system.

All South Carolina probate proceedings, including contested matters, are governed by Title 62 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. When a probate ruling doesn’t resolve the dispute, contested decisions can be appealed to Circuit Court. We can guide clients through each stage of that process.

Start with a Free Consultation

Probate disputes carry strict procedural deadlines and can escalate quickly once an estate is opened. We discuss our fee structure during the initial consultation so there are no surprises before you decide how to move forward. Sanders Law Firm, LLC serves clients throughout the Charleston, South Carolina, area, including Berkeley and Dorchester counties.

Call (843) 573-8828 to speak with a probate litigation attorney at Sanders Law Firm, LLC and get clear answers about your options.