A living trust can ease financial planning and estate concerns
By Joseph L. Raad Family problems! Tax problems! The living trust may be helpful in solving them all. And you don’t have to be a multi‑millionaire to take advantage of the living trust’s problem solving capacity. The reason for the living trust’s effectiveness in solving problems is twofold. The living trust is a distinct legal […]
Posted on November 9th, 2015
| Joe RaadIncreasing South Carolina auto insurance coverage can increase protection
By J. Richards McCrae In another article, I explained South Carolina auto insurance coverage requirements and why those minimums are not enough when a person has been involved in a major accident. I advise my clients to, whenever possible, increase bodily injury and property damage coverage beyond the minimums of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per occurrence/$25,000 […]
Posted on November 9th, 2015
| Richards McCraeFull coverage auto insurance might not be enough
By J. Richards McRae III When people come to see me after a car wreck, one of the first things I ask is to see their auto insurance declarations page. Your declarations page is the document that summarizes the types and amounts of coverage provided under your auto insurance policy. It is a document that […]
Posted on November 9th, 2015
| Richards McCraeMorton & Gettys backs new RockHillGives initiative
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Morton & Gettys has joined a dozen local agencies, organizations, businesses and individuals to bring #GivingTuesday, a national movement that celebrates generosity, to Rock Hill. The initiative, #RockHillGives, encourages people to contribute time, needed supplies or money to their favorite local causes on Dec. 1. That date is the Tuesday […]
Posted on October 21st, 2015
Morton & Gettys welcomes Dan Ballou as Senior Counsel
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Daniel J. Ballou, a veteran attorney who has more than 20 years’ experience trying cases in South Carolina courts, has joined Morton & Gettys as senior counsel. Ballou began practicing in Rock Hill in 1993. At Morton & Gettys, he’ll focus on trial and appellate work, including commercial and construction […]
Posted on August 21st, 2015
| Dan BallouRaad listed in 2016 Best Lawyers in America
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Morton & Gettys senior counsel Joseph L. Raad is included in the 2016 Best Lawyers in America, a publication widely regarded as one of the country’s leading directories of legal professionals. Raad is listed in the just-released edition in the practice area of Trust and Estates, the fifth consecutive year […]
Posted on August 18th, 2015
| Joe RaadSmith listed among Top 10 South Carolina Family Law Attorneys
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Michael B. Smith, a partner at Morton & Gettys, is ranked among the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys’ Top 10 in the state for 2015. Lawyers are included in the list of Top 10 South Carolina Family Law Attorneys only after a peer nominates them. A processing committee reviews […]
Posted on June 15th, 2015
| Michael SmithQ&A: How South Carolina Probate works
By John P. Gettys Jr. Not having a Will does not mean the State of South Carolina is going to take your property after you die, but it can cause complications when your family is administering your estate. Your assets, by law, will pass to your family even if you don’t have a Will. However, […]
Posted on June 8th, 2015
| John GettysBusiness can make sure workplace social media is a tool, not a weapon
By Melissa G. Cassell In an era when nearly three-quarters of adults use social media sites, workplace social media issues are impossible to avoid. It’s an area of law evolving as quickly as a Tweet can go viral, but one thing is clear: there is no point in employers trying to avoid or ban Facebook, […]
Posted on May 29th, 2015
| Melissa CassellElizabeth Smith Owen confirmed as member of York County Natural Gas Authority Board
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Elizabeth Smith Owen, a partner at Morton & Gettys, is the newest member of the York County Natural Gas Authority Board. Owen will serve a three-year term. The South Carolina State Senate confirmed her appointment in April. The York County Natural Gas Authority, established in 1954, is a not-for-profit corporation […]
Posted on May 1st, 2015
| Elizabeth Smith OwenJ. Richards McCrae becomes newest partner at Morton & Gettys
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – J. Richards McCrae III, who grew up in Fort Mill and came home to York County to join Morton & Gettys in 2009, has become the firm’s newest partner. An experienced litigator, McCrae focuses his practice on personal injury cases. He’s represented survivors in wrongful death suits and victims, including […]
Posted on March 24th, 2015
| Richards McCraeSC texting while driving law strikes a balance
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Motor vehicle laws in South Carolina are an often-evolving list. New rules are written and old ones changed as new public policy issues and road safety concerns arise. A great example of this was about a year ago, when South Carolina joined a majority of other states in outlawing texting […]
Posted on March 18th, 2015
Gettys joins South State Bank Advisory Board
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – John Gettys, a founding member of Morton & Gettys, now is a member of the advisory board of South State Bank. Advisory board members are selected based on civic and community knowledge and involvement. South State Bank turns to the board for insight on the needs of the York County […]
Posted on March 4th, 2015
| John GettysMorton & Gettys part of Rock Hill Cultural District
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – The South Carolina Arts Commission has designated Rock Hill’s downtown as the state’s first official cultural district, and the region includes Morton & Gettys’ new Fountain Park Place office. The cultural district designation, announced Feb. 18, came after months of work coordinated by the Arts Council of York County. Morton […]
Posted on February 25th, 2015
| Michael SmithSouth Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles Driver Suspension Eligibility Week 2015
Many South Carolina drivers burdened by a suspended driver’s license might be able to take advantage of Driver Suspension Eligibility Week and have their driving privileges restored sooner than they had expected. This year’s DSEW is available, March 16-20 in all DMV offices across the state. During that period, South Carolina drivers who have lost […]
Posted on February 17th, 2015
Congress creates ABLE accounts to assist disabled with saving
By Joseph L. Raad, Attorney At Law Beginning January 1, 2015 persons with long-term physical or mental disabilities who receive Federal benefits such a SSI or SSDI and Medicaid have a unique opportunity to accumulate money without jeopardizing their government benefits. Disabled individuals may now create ABLE accounts (the acronym stands for Achieving a Better […]
Posted on January 29th, 2015
| Joseph RaadMorton & Gettys donation helps bring Steinway to York County arts council
A Steinway Essex baby grand piano has a new home at the Community Performance Center of the Arts Council of York County, thanks to donations from Morton & Gettys and other community organization. Morton & Gettys contributed in conjunction with its move to a new office in downtown Rock Hill. Five of the firm’s attorneys […]
Posted on January 14th, 2015
| Michael SmithCassell to serve as adjunct professor
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Melissa Gurney Cassell, an attorney with Morton & Gettys, will serve as an adjunct professor during the spring 2015 semester at the University of South Carolina School of Law. Cassell will team up with two other attorneys to teach a Small Business Organization Capstone class. The course will introduce students […]
Posted on January 7th, 2015
| Melissa Cassell