2019 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 62 - South Carolina Probate Code
Article 7 - South Carolina Trust Code
Section 62-7-604. Limitation on action contesting validity of revocable trust; distribution of trust property.
(a) A person must commence a judicial proceeding to contest the validity of a trust that was revocable at the settlor's death within the earlier of:
(1) one year after the settlor's death; or
(2) one hundred twenty days after the trustee sent the person a copy of the trust instrument and a notice informing the person of the trust's existence, of the trustee's name and address, and of the time allowed for commencing a proceeding.
(b) Upon the death of the settlor of a trust that was revocable at the settlor's death, the trustee may proceed to distribute the trust property in accordance with the terms of the trust. The trustee is not subject to liability for doing so unless:
(1) the trustee knows of a pending judicial proceeding contesting the validity of the trust; or
(2) a potential contestant has notified the trustee of a possible judicial proceeding to contest the trust and a judicial proceeding is commenced within one hundred twenty days after the contestant sent the notification.
(c) A beneficiary of a trust that is determined to have been invalid is liable to return any distribution received.
HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 66, Section 1; 2010 Act No. 244, Section 51, eff June 7, 2010; 2013 Act No. 100, Section 2, eff January 1, 2014.
Effect of Amendment
The 2010 amendment in subsections (a)(2) and (b)(2) substituted "one hundred twenty" for "60" preceding "days after the".
