Adoption, Estate Planning, and Probate Attorney Serving Greer, SC

Greer sits on the county line between Greenville and Spartanburg — and that geography matters more than most people realize, especially when it comes to probate. I'm Betsy Tanner, an adoption and estate planning attorney based in Fountain Inn, and I serve Greer families across all three of my practice areas. Whether you're growing your family through adoption, putting your documents in order, or navigating an estate after a loss, you'll work directly with me from the first call to the final filing.

 

Greer is a community I know well. The BMW manufacturing plant and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport have brought a significant number of families here from other states and other countries — and that relocation story often comes with legal questions about what happens to a will written somewhere else, or how an interstate adoption works when one family is in South Carolina and another is not. Those are exactly the kinds of questions I answer every day.

Greer Probate: Which County Do You File In?

If a loved one lived in Greer, one of the first questions families ask is where to file the probate case — Greenville County or Spartanburg County. The answer depends on where the decedent actually resided, because Greer straddles the county line. The address on file at the time of death determines the correct courthouse.

 

This is a genuinely common source of confusion, and it can delay the process if a family files in the wrong county. I'll identify the correct jurisdiction from the start so the estate moves forward without that kind of setback.

 

South Carolina probate covers the full administration of an estate — gathering assets, notifying creditors, resolving debts, and distributing what remains to heirs or beneficiaries. Whether the decedent had a will or passed without one, the process follows a defined legal path, and I can guide the Personal Representative through every step.

 

  • Probate filed in the county where the decedent resided at death
  • Greer addresses may fall in Greenville County or Spartanburg County — the specific address controls
  • I represent Personal Representatives through the full administration process
  • Intestate estates (no will) are handled under South Carolina's succession statute
  • Will lodging and copy-will petitions available when original documents are missing

Estate Planning for Greer Residents, Including Those Who've Recently Moved

Greer's growth — driven in large part by the BMW plant and the airport corridor — means a meaningful portion of the community has relocated from another state or arrived from abroad. If that describes your family, your existing estate planning documents deserve a South Carolina review before you assume they'll hold up here.

 

South Carolina has its own requirements for valid wills: the document must be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two individuals. An out-of-state will that meets those standards may still be recognized here, but it may not reflect South Carolina's intestacy rules, your current family structure, or the assets you've acquired since the move. A review now is far less complicated than sorting it out later.

 

For families building their plan from scratch — or updating one that no longer fits — I prepare the full range of estate planning documents:

 

 

If you have children, including adopted children, I also work with families on making sure their plan reflects the full legal picture of how your family is structured.

Adoption Attorney Near Greer, SC

I've handled adoption cases for families across Upstate South Carolina since 2018, with more than 350 children placed in forever families through my work. Greer families come to me for the full range of adoption matters — and because I'm a licensed foster parent, an adoptive mother, and an adoptee myself, I bring more than legal knowledge to the process.

 

The types of adoption I handle for Greer families include:

 

 

That last category is worth noting for Greer specifically. The international workforce connected to the BMW plant and the airport means some families have ties to other states or other countries — and adoption across state lines is governed by the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. Private adoptions of children placed in South Carolina must be initiated and finalized here, and I handle that process as South Carolina counsel.

What It's Like to Work with Betsy Tanner

When you call the office during business hours — Monday through Thursday, 9:00am to 4:00pm, and Friday, 9:00am to 1:00pm — a person answers the phone. If you reach voicemail, your call is returned. That's not a small thing when you're in the middle of an adoption or managing an estate after a loss.

 

Every client works directly with me. Cases are not handed to associates or passed down the line. From your first consultation through the final order or filing, I'm the attorney on your matter.

 

My office is in Fountain Inn, right on the Greenville–Laurens county line. Greer is a straightforward drive down SC-14, which connects the two communities directly. For clients who prefer to handle things by phone or remotely, that works too — adoption matters are handled statewide, and estate planning consultations can often be conducted without an in-person visit.

Adoption, Wills, and Probate — All Three Practice Areas, One Attorney

Many of my adoption clients come back when life moves into a new chapter — a growing family, a change in circumstances, or the realization that the documents they have don't reflect who they've become. Estate planning for adoptive families has its own considerations, and I understand them because I've lived them and practiced in this area for years.

 

If you're a Greer family who adopted a child years ago and hasn't updated your will or trust since, that's worth a conversation. If you've recently lost someone and aren't sure where to start with the estate, I can walk you through it. And if you're just beginning an adoption journey and want an attorney who will be with you every step of the way, I'd be glad to talk.

Adoption Attorney Near Greer, SC

I've handled adoption cases for families across Upstate South Carolina since 2018, with more than 350 children placed in forever families through my work. Greer families come to me for the full range of adoption matters — and because I'm a licensed foster parent, an adoptive mother, and an adoptee myself, I bring more than legal knowledge to the process.

 

The types of adoption I handle for Greer families include:

 

 

That last category is worth noting for Greer specifically. The international workforce connected to the BMW plant and the airport means some families have ties to other states or other countries — and adoption across state lines is governed by the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. Private adoptions of children placed in South Carolina must be initiated and finalized here, and I handle that process as South Carolina counsel.

Key aspects of trust administration include:

  • Inventorying and valuing assets to get a clear picture of what’s in the trust.
  • Notifying beneficiaries and keeping clear records of all communications.
  • Managing and investing assets responsibly in compliance with Illinois law.
  • Paying debts and taxes before distributing remaining assets.
  • Distributing trust property to beneficiaries as outlined in the trust document.

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What It's Like to Work with Betsy Tanner

When you call the office during business hours — Monday through Thursday, 9:00am to 4:00pm, and Friday, 9:00am to 1:00pm — a person answers the phone. If you reach voicemail, your call is returned. That's not a small thing when you're in the middle of an adoption or managing an estate after a loss.

 

Every client works directly with me. Cases are not handed to associates or passed down the line. From your first consultation through the final order or filing, I'm the attorney on your matter.

 

My office is in Fountain Inn, right on the Greenville–Laurens county line. Greer is a straightforward drive down SC-14, which connects the two communities directly. For clients who prefer to handle things by phone or remotely, that works too — adoption matters are handled statewide, and estate planning consultations can often be conducted without an in-person visit.

Adoption, Wills, and Probate — All Three Practice Areas, One Attorney

Many of my adoption clients come back when life moves into a new chapter — a growing family, a change in circumstances, or the realization that the documents they have don't reflect who they've become. Estate planning for adoptive families has its own considerations, and I understand them because I've lived them and practiced in this area for years.

 

If you're a Greer family who adopted a child years ago and hasn't updated your will or trust since, that's worth a conversation. If you've recently lost someone and aren't sure where to start with the estate, I can walk you through it. And if you're just beginning an adoption journey and want an attorney who will be with you every step of the way, I'd be glad to talk.

Frequently Asked Questions from Greer Families

  • Which county handles probate for a Greer, SC address — Greenville or Spartanburg?

    It depends on where the decedent actually lived. Greer spans both Greenville and Spartanburg counties, so the specific address at the time of death determines which county's probate court has jurisdiction. I can confirm the correct county before any filings are made.

  • My family moved to South Carolina from another state. Is our existing will still valid here?

    An out-of-state will may be recognized in South Carolina if it meets the state's basic requirements — written, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two people. That said, it may not reflect South Carolina's laws, your current assets, or changes in your family since the move. A review is a straightforward step that can prevent significant complications later.

  • Can you handle an adoption that involves another state?

    Yes. Interstate adoptions are governed by the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, and private adoptions of children placed in South Carolina must be initiated and finalized here. I serve as South Carolina counsel for interstate placements and work with families and out-of-state attorneys throughout the process.

  • How far is your office from Greer?

    My office is in Fountain Inn, and Greer is a direct drive down SC-14 — the two communities are connected by that corridor. For clients who prefer to handle consultations by phone or remotely, that's available as well, particularly for estate planning and adoption matters.

  • Do I need an attorney to go through probate in South Carolina?

    South Carolina does not require an attorney for every probate matter, but the process involves court filings, creditor notifications, asset accounting, and distribution — and errors can create personal liability for the Personal Representative. Having an attorney from the start typically makes the process faster and protects the person administering the estate.

  • What estate planning documents should I have in place?

    At minimum, most adults benefit from a will, a durable financial power of attorney, and a health care power of attorney with an advance directive. Families with more complex needs — including blended families, adoptive families, or those with significant assets — may also benefit from a revocable living trust. I'll help you identify what makes sense for your situation during a free consultation.