One of the most important reasons to make a will is to name your executor -- commonly called a "personal representative" in South Carolina. After your death, your executor's primary job is to protect your property until any debts and taxes have been paid, and then transfer what's left to those who are entitled to it.
Every state has some rules about who may serve as the executor of an estate that goes through probate. Here are the requirements in South Carolina.
Your executor must be:
(S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-203.)
Many states prohibit people who have felony convictions from serving as executor. In South Carolina, however, there is no statute prohibiting you from naming an executor who has been convicted of a felony.
In addition to the restrictions above, a South Carolina probate court will reject a potential executor found to be "unsuitable in formal proceedings." It's highly unlikely, but if a question arises about the qualifications of the person you've named as your executor, the court will hold a formal hearing in front of all "interested persons" -- such as your spouse, heirs, creditors, and other potential executors. At the hearing, a judge will determine who is best suited to serve as executor and terminate any appointment found to be improper. (See S.C. Code Ann. § § 62-1-201, 62-3-203, 62-3-414.)
Furthermore, South Carolina law prohibits a probate court judge from serving as an executor of anyone who lives in his or her jurisdiction, unless the judge is a "family member" and serving does not interfere with any official duties. Under this rule, the following people qualify as family members eligible to represent your estate:
(S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-203.)
While you can name a corporation as your executor, it must be based in South Carolina or have an office, employee, or agent in the state. (S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-203.) That said, think carefully before appointing a bank or trust company to represent your estate. It's almost always best to name an individual; consider an institution only if you don't know anyone you trust enough to serve or your estate is very large and complex.
Unlike many states, South Carolina does not impose special requirements on executors who live out of state. But that doesn't mean it's a good idea to appoint someone who lives far away. For practical reasons, it's usually best to name an executor who lives near you. Your executor may have to handle day-to-day matters for weeks, months, or sometimes longer.
For more information about choosing your executor and making your will, see the Wills section of Nolo.com.