Vanessa Williams v. Bradford Q. Jeffcoat, Jr.

Summary

The South Carolina Supreme Court held that genuine issues of material fact exist regarding Jeffcoat’s unclean‑hands defense, that the Alabama probate court had subject‑matter jurisdiction over the guardianship proceeding, and that S.C. Code §27‑7‑40 does not apply retroactively to the joint tenancy, so the joint tenancy could be severed by unilateral conveyance. Accordingly, the Court reversed the master’s summary‑judgment grant in part, affirmed the appellate court’s jurisdictional holding as modified, and remanded for further determination of the unclean‑hands issue.