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Is A Will Still Recommended If Intestate Law Would Split Everything Equally?

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Location: South Carolina

My father recently had a serious health scare. He is located in South Carolina. He is opposed to creating a will because he believes it is unnecessary.

Here are the basics of the situation:

He is not married, has two children, one child is currently a minor will be an adult in about 2 years.

What I know: He owns five properties, has a life insurance policy with both children listed as beneficiaries (i am the only one aware of it), he has three bank accounts.

His position is that since he only has two children, everything would be split 50/50 under South Carolina intestacy law, which is what he wants anyway.

Additional context: The relationship between me and my sister is completely estranged, we do not speak and never have. I also do not have contact with the other parent because of this.. I am concerned about future complications even if the law says assets would be split equally.

My questions: 1. Even if South Carolina law would already split everything 50/50, is it still smart to create a will? 2. Does having a will make probate simpler or less contentious, even if the end result is the same?

I understand probate may still be required either way, but I’m trying to determine whether a will is still the better option to keep things clean and avoid issues later. Just trying to have my ducks in a row.

Thank you in advance for any insight.

submitted by /u/ComplaintNo77777
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