What to do if you’re in front of a police camera
By James Morton Attorney at Law One feature of modern life that takes a lot of getting used to is that wherever you go, there’s likely a camera on you. It’s hard to know how to act – especially when the person behind the camera is a police officer. Whether it’s with a dashcam or […]
Posted on May 21st, 2019
| Jim MortonHow can you tell that your spouse may be cheating?
By Elizabeth Smith Owen Attorney at Law It’s the one thing you don’t want to find out – that your spouse is cheating. At the same time, if your life is about to be turned upside-down, you might prefer to have some warning. About a third of the time, infidelity leads to divorce. But even […]
Posted on April 3rd, 2019
| Elizabeth Smith OwenMorton & Gettys welcomes Riddle as an associate
Davis C. Riddle has joined Morton & Gettys in Rock Hill, South Carolina as an associate. A licensed attorney who also holds a master’s in business administration, he will focus his practice on commercial leasing and real estate development as well as on business and corporate law. Riddle simultaneously earned a juris doctor and MBA […]
Posted on March 25th, 2019
| Davis RiddleElizabeth Smith Owen honored with Leadership in Law Award by SC Lawyers Weekly
South Carolina Lawyers Weekly has honored Elizabeth Smith Owen, a partner with Morton & Gettys law firm in Rock Hill, with its Leadership in Law Award. The annual honor recognizes attorneys who go above and beyond in serving the profession and the community. The selection process begins with a nomination from a fellow attorney. An […]
Posted on March 12th, 2019
| Elizabeth Smith OwenMorton & Gettys again honored in Best Law Firms in America
Morton & Gettys’ work in the practice area of trust and estates is being recognized again in Best Law Firms in America, the third consecutive year the Rock Hill law firm has been honored. The national directory, a joint project of Best Lawyers in America and U.S. News and World Report, lists Morton & Gettys […]
Posted on November 1st, 2018
Gettys, Vann, Raad included in 2019 Best Lawyers in America
The 2019 edition of Best Lawyers in America includes three attorneys from Morton & Gettys: John Gettys and Joshua Vann earned recognition in real estate law, while Joe Raad won honors in trusts and estates. Raad is appearing in Best Lawyers in America for the fifth time. Gettys and Vann are included for the second […]
Posted on August 13th, 2018
| Joe Raad, John Gettys, Josh VannSummer Hunger Challenge brings in more than 2,200 pounds of food
On Tuesday, July 31, Morton & Gettys teamed up with Pilgrims’ Inn of Rock Hill for the Summer Hunger Challenge, and it was a great success. “You all were AWESOME yesterday!” said Jennifer Gullatt of Pilgrims’ Inn on Wednesday. “The total for the food drive is 2,229.8 pounds! This is unbelievable!” Morton & Gettys works […]
Posted on August 7th, 2018
Owens becomes firm’s chief operating officer
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Robin Owens, the long-time administrator with Morton & Gettys, has been named the firm’s first chief operating officer. “When Robin came to us in 2002, we were a small two-person firm,” firm co-founder John Gettys said. “Slowly, we have grown to a practice of more than a dozen attorneys and […]
Posted on July 19th, 2018
Smith certified as a circuit court arbitrator
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Morton & Gettys partner Michael Smith now is a certified as a South Carolina Family Law Arbitrator. Smith is also a South Carolina Family Law Mediator and trained in collaborative divorce. He and fellow partner John Gettys, a certified circuit court mediator, form the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution team, which […]
Posted on May 30th, 2018
| Michael SmithJoin us at the movies
Morton & Gettys is presenting Free Movies at Fountain Park, starting in Rock Hill on June 8. Bring a chair or a blanket and eat out under the stars – this will be a fun night for the entire family! Rec in a Box will begin at 7:30, and a featured food truck will be […]
Posted on May 25th, 2018
New tax law doubles estate and gift tax exemption
By Joseph L. Raad Attorney at Law The federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which became effective Jan. 1, doubled the estate and gift tax exemption. This means fewer estates will even be subject to an estate or gift tax, and those that are taxed will pay less. For 2018, the exemption amount […]
Posted on May 24th, 2018
| Joe RaadCassell serving as president of York County Bar Association
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Morton & Gettys attorney Melissa Cassell is the York County Bar Association’s new president. She was elected this month to a one-year term. Cassell has served on the Bar’s Executive Committee for the past three years, including as vice president for the past year. Cassell, who joined Morton & Gettys […]
Posted on March 20th, 2018
| Melissa CassellMorgan joins family law team at Morton & Gettys
Rock Hill, SC – A passionate and committed advocate for children, Lynelle Morgan is the newest member of the family law team at Morton & Gettys. She has joined the firm as an associate. Morgan’s practice will include a wide range of family law matters, including separation, divorce, child custody, alimony, child support, equitable distribution […]
Posted on February 6th, 2018
| Lynelle MorganElizabeth Smith Owen named to next Liberty Fellows class
Elizabeth Smith Owen, a partner with Morton & Gettys law firm in Rock Hill, S.C., is one of 21 leaders from across the state who have been chosen for Liberty Fellowship’s 14th class. They will be joining the broader network of 290 Liberty Fellows working collaboratively as an engine of change for South Carolina. “Adding […]
Posted on January 9th, 2018
| Elizabeth Smith OwenSelf-representation in Magistrate’s Court
By Nate Pierce, Attorney At Law Have you been served with a lawsuit that’s in a South Carolina Magistrate’s Court? Don’t worry, it’s not just you. We field calls every day from people who have just had someone knock on their door and hand them papers. It’s a scary situation. Very few people are prepared […]
Posted on November 17th, 2017
| Nate PierceThe basics of prenuptial agreements
By Elizabeth Smith Owen, Attorney At Law Prenuptial agreements, often called antenuptial or premarital agreements, are contracts between prospective spouses made before marriage. The content of prenuptial agreements can vary, but they generally define prospective spouses’ non-marital and marital property, as well as include provisions for division of property and spousal support in the event […]
Posted on November 17th, 2017
| Elizabeth Smith OwenWill the Palmetto State Way spread to D.C.?
By Melissa Cassell, Attorney At Law The head of South Carolina’s Department of Employment and Workforce may soon run the Wage and Hour Division at the Federal Labor Department in D.C. The terms “workforce” and “labor” may seem synonymous, but a quick reflection on policies, statutes and history tells us South Carolina deliberately left “labor” […]
Posted on November 17th, 2017
| Melissa CassellMaking your final wishes known
By Joe Raad, Attorney At Law The Health Care Power of Attorney and the Living Will (technically called the “Declaration of Desire for a Natural Death”) have been a part of South Carolina law for more than 25 years. Both are generally termed “Advanced Directives.” The term “Living Will” can be misleading. The document has […]
Posted on November 17th, 2017
| Joe RaadMorton & Gettys welcomes Close as an associate
ROCK HILL, SC – Morton & Gettys is welcoming Claude Close as our newest associate. A familiar face to our clients who officially joined as an attorney today, he plans to concentrate his legal practice on real estate and commercial law. A 2017 graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law, Claude served […]
Posted on November 14th, 2017
| Claude CloseMorton & Gettys honored in 2018 Best Law Firms in America
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Morton & Gettys is being included in the just-released 2018 Best Law Firms in America in the practice area of Trusts & Estates Law. Morton & Gettys is listed among Tier 2 law firms in the Rock Hill area. It’s the second year in a row the firm has been […]
Posted on November 3rd, 2017
| Joe Raad, John Gettys, Josh VannJohn Gettys: Mayor-elect of Rock Hill!
Our own John Gettys is now the mayor-elect of Rock Hill, SC! In an election held on Halloween, John – a partner in this law firm — was elected to become the city’s first new mayor in two decades. And we couldn’t be prouder. With 36 of 39 precincts reported, Gettys had won with 53 percent […]
Posted on November 1st, 2017
Morton & Gettys welcomes Rock Hill native Pierce as an associate
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Morton & Gettys’ newest associate is Nate Pierce, a Rock Hill native who’s returning to his hometown to practice law after a year-long judicial clerkship. He plans to focus his practice on civil litigation. Pierce graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2016. During his three […]
Posted on August 28th, 2017
| Nate PierceGettys, Vann, Raad included in 2018 Best Lawyers in America
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – The just-released edition of Best Lawyers in America honors three Morton & Gettys attorneys: John Gettys and Joshua Vann in real estate law and Joe Raad in trusts and estates. Raad is appearing in Best Lawyers in America for the fifth time. Gettys and Vann are making their debuts in […]
Posted on August 15th, 2017
| Joe Raad, John Gettys, Josh VannTax classes for companies: How should I structure my business?
By Melissa G. Cassell The first question any entrepreneur faces is what type of business to create and what legal entity to use. The answer typically determines which forms to file and what taxation the company will have (at least initially). Here is a summary of the options: Sole Proprietorship – default taxation for single-owner […]
Posted on May 19th, 2017
| Melissa CassellA sobering decision: South Carolina Supreme Court ruling changes liquor license limits
By Dan Ballou South Carolina historically has limited the number of liquor licenses a retailer could own to three. A recent court ruling, though, will dramatically change the regulatory landscape in which liquor retailers operate, if the ruling stands. The three-store rule had been justified by the broadly defined “police” power of the General Assembly […]
Posted on May 4th, 2017
| Dan BallouAffinity Health Center breaks ground on new facility in Tech Park
ROCK HILL, SC – Affinity Health Center has broken ground for a 30,000-square-foot facility in Tech Park that will become its new main site when it opens next year. Affinity’s four satellite sites are expected to remain open to continue serving the entire York County. Affinity, formerly known as Catawba Care, is a community health […]
Posted on May 3rd, 2017
| Melissa CassellSmith discusses collaborative law on WRHI talk show
Morton & Gettys partner Michael Smith was a guest on WRHI’s “Close Up” recently to talk about collaborative divorce, an innovative approach to family law he’s working to bring to the Rock Hill community. Collaborative divorce involves a team of professionals working to help guide parties toward solutions, rather than engaging in costly litigation. The […]
Posted on April 28th, 2017
| Michael SmithJohn Gettys announces run for mayor of Rock Hill
John Gettys, a co-founder of Morton & Gettys, has announced his intention to run for mayor of Rock Hill, S.C. Gettys announced on Wednesday, March 29, that he would file in August for the nonpartisan October election for the office. The previous day, it had been announced that longtime Mayor Doug Echols would not run […]
Posted on March 29th, 2017
| John GettysJohn Gettys selected for Furman’s Riley Institute program
John Gettys, a partner with Morton & Gettys, Attorneys at Law, is one of 44 leaders selected to participate in the 10th Midlands class of the Riley Institute at Furman’s Diversity Leaders Initiative this spring. The DLI program trains participants to understand their diversity and inclusion “blind spots” and how to suspend assumptions. They come […]
Posted on February 14th, 2017
| John GettysSmith discusses collaborative divorce on WRHI talk show
Morton & Gettys partner Michael Smith was on WRHI’s “Straight Talk” recently to discuss collaborative divorce, a new approach to family law that he’s helping bring to the Rock Hill community. This exciting new concept involves a team of professionals working to help guide parties toward mutually agreeable solutions, rather than engaging in conflict and […]
Posted on December 5th, 2016
Morton & Gettys honored in Best Law Firms in America
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Morton & Gettys is being included in the just-released 2017 Best Law Firms in America for its work in Trusts & Estate Law. Morton & Gettys is listed among Tier 2 law firms in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area, an area that includes Rock Hill. In 2016, a mere 16 total […]
Posted on November 17th, 2016
Collaborative divorce could be a better way
The term “collaborative divorce” at first seems like an oxymoron. How can people who are ending a relationship work together? How can the concept of collaboration, which typically involves creation, come into play when a marriage is breaking up? At Morton & Gettys, we are excited about this concept. Family law attorney Michael Smith has […]
Posted on November 11th, 2016
| Michael SmithWriting your own will is not such a good idea
Joseph L. Raad, Attorney At Law A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client – unknown This often-heard saying is never more true than when it comes to writing a Will. A lawyer, specifically one who specializes in estate planning, is necessary to make sure this important document is properly […]
Posted on November 11th, 2016
| Joe RaadJoin us in YorkCountySCGives on GivingTuesday 2016
Morton & Gettys is proud to again be a sponsor of #YorkCountySCGives, the local initiative that’s part of the international #GivingTuesday movement. The annual initiative takes place this year on Nov. 29 – that’s the Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when many people traditionally begin holiday shopping. The GivingTuesday movement asks people to […]
Posted on November 11th, 2016
Commercial lease transaction? Tenant, beware!
By Joshua B. Vann Commercial leases present particular headaches to potential tenants in South Carolina. There is often a great disparity between potential landlord and potential tenant in bargaining power and in knowledge regarding what is and what is not customary. To further complicate matters, inexperienced tenants in commercial leases often are unaware that they […]
Posted on November 11th, 2016
| Josh VannPalmetto Focus: A conversation about the consequences of Act 388
On Nov. 15 at Winthrop University, our own Elizabeth Smith Owen will moderate a discussion of the consequences of a major change in South Carolina’s tax law. Ten years ago, the South Carolina General Assembly passed Act 388, which shifted the burden of paying for public school operations from homeowners to businesses and onto an […]
Posted on November 4th, 2016
| Elizabeth Smith OwenRaad included in 2017 Best Lawyers in America
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Joseph L. Raad, a senior counsel with Morton & Gettys, is profiled in the just-released 2017 Best Lawyers in America for his work in Trusts & Estates Law. A state-certified specialist in South Carolina Estate Planning and Probate Law, Raad has been included in six consecutive editions of Best Lawyers. […]
Posted on August 18th, 2016
| Joe RaadLancaster County considering wholesale changes to development ordinance
By Dan Ballou Property owners in Lancaster County should be aware that the County is in the final stages of a wholesale rewrite of the Uniform Development Ordinance, or UDO, that establishes zoning and development regulations for all real property in the unincorporated areas of Lancaster County. In June 2015, the County approved a moratorium […]
Posted on July 11th, 2016
| Dan BallouSouth Carolina separation or divorce: What NOT to do
By Elizabeth Smith Owen When family law litigation is ongoing or being anticipated, tension runs high and too often emotions, rather than intellect, control the actions of litigants. An experienced and knowledgeable family law attorney can bring a sense of professional clarity to an emotionally difficult time. Therefore, it is incredibly important to seek the […]
Posted on June 3rd, 2016
| Elizabeth Smith OwenNew hires: What to know before you pay
By Melissa G. Cassell Growing up, summertime was primetime for making money – whether in between school years or looking for your first real job. Now, all grown up, you find yourself on the hiring side of the table and you wonder how to negotiate employee compensation. If hiring for a temporary position, you may […]
Posted on June 1st, 2016
| Melissa CassellSafeguard your estate planning documents
By Joseph L. Raad All too frequently, clients call this law firm asking for a copy of their Will or other estate planning document because they cannot locate the original. My first response is to tell them that if they cannot find the original document, they really don’t have a Will. This is because in […]
Posted on June 1st, 2016
| Joe RaadBeating the competition: The art of crafting non-compete agreements
By Dan Ballou ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – In today’s business world, the value of a company is often defined as much by information and relationships as by the actual products or services provided. At the same time, employees are more transient than ever before, and employers need to know that when (not if) change […]
Posted on May 18th, 2016
| Dan BallouSouth Carolina Responsible Father Registry helps dads protect rights
By Michael B. Smith Men who want to make sure their parental rights are protected have an easy way to do that in the Palmetto State. It is called the South Carolina Responsible Father Registry, and it is free and convenient to use. The registry is open to any man who has fathered a child […]
Posted on May 3rd, 2016
| Michael SmithMorton serving on York County Free Clinic Advisory Council
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – James Morton, one of the founding partners of Morton & Gettys, has been appointed to the serve on the York County Free Clinic Advisory Council. The facility, located in Rock Hill, is the only non-profit medical clinic in York County. It operates without government subsidies, serving uninsured low-income adults ages […]
Posted on April 28th, 2016
| Jim MortonDIY Corporate Law: Great expectations turn into unexpected consequences
By Melissa G. Cassell Many of us are reared to save money by rolling up our sleeves and putting in sweat equity, but sometimes we really should call a professional. Just as we would not tackle a bathroom addition in our home without professional help, a business owner or entrepreneur should not tackle the formation […]
Posted on March 31st, 2016
| Melissa CassellSouth Carolina DUI videotaping law protects the rights of those accused
By James Morton Law enforcement officers are bound by the laws that spell out how they must conduct DUI investigations. Those laws are designed to protect the rights of the accused and to provide the best information should the case go to trial. In South Carolina, the requirements include videotaping DUI investigations and arrests. It’s […]
Posted on March 21st, 2016
| Jim MortonEven prescription medication can trigger a DUI charge
By James Morton At Morton & Gettys, we frequently represent clients who are facing DUI charges where the officer alleges their driving was impaired by drugs instead of alcohol. Quite often in these cases the driver’s breath sample registers less than a 0.08 alcohol level. Despite being below the legal blood alcohol content limit in […]
Posted on March 14th, 2016
| Jim MortonDrunk driving field sobriety tests explained
By James Morton You have seen it in the movies and on television shows: Someone is pulled over, and the police officer asks him to stand on one leg and recite the alphabet. What is the purpose of this strange-looking exercise? It is part of the Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) series administered roadside to […]
Posted on March 7th, 2016
| Jim MortonOwen joins York County Community Foundation Board of Trustees
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Elizabeth Smith Owen, a partner at Morton & Gettys, is the newest member of the York County Community Foundation Board of Trustees. The foundation was established in 1988 with a goal of increasing the charitable resources available in the community. What began 28 years ago with one, $10,000 grant has […]
Posted on February 16th, 2016
| Elizabeth Smith OwenKimbrell, Savage promoted to Senior Paralegal
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Morton & Gettys has promoted Jill Kimbrell and Courtney Savage to the position of senior paralegal. Both earned the title by virtue of their number of years’ experience, their levels of skill and professionalism and their educational backgrounds. Kimbrell, a graduate of Winthrop University, started at Morton & Gettys in […]
Posted on February 9th, 2016
