Grant to provide 225 wills, heirs’ property prevention services
From staff reports
Lowcountry Legal Volunteers (LCLV) has received a $200,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta), administered through South Atlantic Bank, to deliver 225 wills and heirs’ property education and prevention services across Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties, according to a news release.
This funding, part of FHLBank Atlanta’s 2024 Heirs’ Property Family Wealth Protection Program, will support LCLV’s mission to help families protect and preserve generational wealth through estate planning, legal education, and documentation services such as wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
Heirs’ property — land passed down without a legal will or clear title — is a widespread issue in the South that can prevent families from maintaining, improving, or passing down their property. This grant allows LCLV to directly address the root causes of property loss by offering proactive services that prevent heirs’ property complications before they begin.
“This funding allows us to meet people where they are — before a crisis — and provide the tools they need to protect their family’s land and legacy,” said Anne Caywood, Executive Director of Lowcountry Legal Volunteers. “Prevention is just as critical as resolution, and thanks to this grant, we can expand our reach and impact in the communities we serve.”
To further support families beyond basic estate planning, clients needing assistance with deeds, trusts, and other complex property protection mechanisms will be referred to local attorneys who have agreed to provide services at low or no cost. These collaborative referrals help ensure that families receive the full spectrum of legal protection necessary to secure their property for future generations.
The grant complements LCLV’s broader regional strategy, which includes partnerships with the Lowcountry Gullah Foundation, Penn Center, Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Hilton Head Island Gullah Geechee Land & Cultural Preservation Task Force. In addition, the Heritage Library and the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation are partnering with LCLV to strengthen education, genealogical research, and legal advocacy around heirs’ property issues throughout the Lowcountry.
“We developed this heirs’ property grant program knowing that outstanding organizations like LCLV exist to help homeowners protect their assets and build generational wealth,” said Kirk Malmberg, President and CEO of FHLBank Atlanta. “It is always wonderful to see our members like South Atlantic Bank partner with local organizations to apply for funding and support critical efforts like heirs’ property. The range of services that LCLV is providing with this funding – free of charge to property owners – will change lives and strengthen communities.”
South Atlantic Bank, as the member institution of FHLBank Atlanta, played an instrumental role in securing the competitive grant.
“We are proud to support Lowcountry Legal Volunteers in their work to protect family land and help families plan for the future,” said Christian Kata, Market Executive at South Atlantic Bank. “This grant reinforces our shared commitment to preserving wealth and dignity in underserved communities.”
To ensure accessibility and community presence, LCLV operates from two regional offices: one in Okatie, inside the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office as part of the Victims Services Center, and one in Beaufort, located within the Lowcountry Outreach Center.
The project will continue through September 2026, with services delivered through estate planning clinics, one-on-one consultations, and outreach events that focus on legal education and prevention. While LCLV will also assist in heirs’ property resolution efforts, when possible, the heart of the grant is focused on proactive, community-based solutions that prevent property loss before it starts.
“We’re building a future where families can pass down land, stories, and opportunity without legal uncertainty,” Caywood said. “This grant is a critical step toward that future.”
