Toya Hampton
With over 25 years of legal experience and a heart for helping families protect what matters most, Attorney Toya Hampton serves as a trusted counselor and advocate for individuals planning their legacy. As a Liberty Fellow since 2008 and a Personal Family Lawyer (PFL), she brings both knowledge and compassion to every client relationship.
Counselor Hampton focuses on comprehensive estate planning, helping Charleston-area families create personalized strategies that ensure their wishes are honored and their loved ones are protected. She understands that estate planning is about more than legal documents—it's about peace of mind, family security, and leaving a meaningful legacy.
Why estate planning matters
Every family deserves a plan that protects their assets and honors their values.
Without proper planning, state laws—not your wishes—determine what happens to your estate, often creating unnecessary stress and expense for those you love most. Through carefully crafted wills, trusts, and comprehensive estate plans, Counselor Hampton helps families bypass probate, minimize costs, and ensure a smooth transition of wealth and values to future generations.
Inspired by Proverbs 13:22—"A good person leaves an inheritance to their children's children"—Attorney Hampton is passionate about helping families build legacies that extend beyond their lifetime.
Ready to protect your family's future?
Contact Counselor Hampton today to begin your Life and Legacy Planning journey.
FAQs
How does your experience apply to Estate Planning?
Counselor Hampton brings a unique perspective to estate planning, having spent much of her career handling real estate transactions—she commonly refers to herself as a "dirt lawyer" because of this deep expertise in property matters. This real estate background gives her invaluable knowledge in property transfers, title issues, and asset protection strategies that many estate planners lack. Her service as a trustee on the Charleston County School Board and later as a staff attorney for the same district demonstrates her commitment to protecting families and understanding the complex needs of our community. This combination of real estate expertise and public service means she understands both the technical aspects of asset preservation and the human side of family protection, ensuring your estate plan addresses the real-world challenges South Carolina families face.
What is a Trust?
A trust is a legal arrangement where you transfer your assets into a protected "container" that holds them for the benefit of you and your loved ones. Think of it as a treasure chest with clear instructions about who gets the keys and when. Unlike a will that goes through probate court, a trust allows your assets to be immediately accessible to your beneficiaries through the trustee you've chosen. This protects your family from lengthy court proceedings, unnecessary costs, and ensures your wishes are carried out exactly as you intended—especially important when minor children are involved.
What is Probate?
Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a will, paying debts, and distributing assets after someone passes away—and in South Carolina, it can take months or even years to complete. During probate, your family's financial affairs become public record, and the process can consume 3-5% or more of your estate's value in court costs and fees. For families with minor children, probate can be especially challenging as it may delay access to funds needed for your children's immediate care and education. The good news is that with proper estate planning many assets can bypass probate entirely, ensuring your family has immediate access to resources when they need them most.
Will you come present to a group?
Yes! Counselor Hampton loves connecting with the community and would be delighted to present about estate planning to your group. Whether it's your PTA, church group, senior citizen organization, or any other community gathering, she's available to share valuable insights about protecting your family's future. She also hosts educational meet-ups for those interested in learning more about estate planning basics. Click here to schedule a consultation and discuss arranging a presentation for your group.
What is a “Personal Family Lawyer?”
A Personal Family Lawyer® (PFL) is a specially trained estate planning attorney who uses the New Law Business Model's Life & Legacy Planning system—a heart-centered, counseling-based approach that goes beyond just drafting documents. As a PFL, Counselor Hampton serves as your family's trusted counselor at every life stage, helping you make eyes-wide-open decisions about your assets and values. This designation means she's equipped with proven systems to ensure your plan actually works when your family needs it most, with PFL firms typically achieving high client engagement rates because families truly understand and value the service. The PFL approach ensures your estate plan is a living, breathing protection for your family, not just paperwork gathering dust in a drawer.
What is a “Kids Protection Plan?”
A Kids Protection Plan® is a comprehensive set of legal documents and instructions that ensures your children are immediately cared for by the people you choose if something happens to you—not by strangers or anyone chosen by a judge who doesn't know your family. It includes naming both long-term and short-term emergency guardians, detailed care instructions, and even ID cards for your wallet to alert emergency responders that you have minor children at home. Without this plan, your children could temporarily end up in Child Protective Services custody—even if you have a will—because authorities won't have clear immediate instructions. This protection gives you peace of mind knowing your children will always remain in the loving care of people you trust, raised according to your values and wishes.