Melody J. E. Breeden

Melody J. E. Breeden is an estate planning lawyer with extensive experience in estate planning, business & corporate, and probate law. She advises clients on wills, powers of attorney, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and business succession planning. Her work also includes representing fiduciaries and protecting the interests of surviving spouses, minors, and other beneficiaries. Clients rely on her practical and compassionate guidance when making important decisions about family, property, and long-term planning.

Melody earned her J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She also received her B.A., magna cum laude, from the College of Charleston. Her education gave her a strong foundation in legal analysis, writing, advocacy, and careful problem-solving. That background supports her work in estate planning and probate matters, where clients often need both technical legal guidance and practical advice during significant life decisions.

Throughout her career, Melody has provided comprehensive estate planning services tailored to the needs of individuals and families. She handles both straightforward and complex matters, including revocable and irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, fiduciary representation, and contested probate issues. She is also a certified circuit court mediator and serves as an expert witness in probate disputes. Clients benefit from her ability to combine planning, administration, and dispute resolution experience in one practice.

Melody J. E. Breeden has also shown strong leadership in the trusts and estates field through service in professional organizations and advisory roles. Her broader contributions include writing and speaking on estate planning and probate topics, helping support both clients and the legal profession. Clients value her steady counsel, technical knowledge, and thoughtful approach to sensitive matters.

Law Office Affiliations

• Shareholder, Turner Padget Graham and Laney P.A.
• Member, National Association of Elder Law Attorneys
• Member, Horry County Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, American College of Trust & Estate Counsel
• Member, South Carolina Bar, Probate, Estate Planning & Trust Section

Licensed State

• South Carolina
• North Carolina

Education

• University of South Carolina School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• College of Charleston
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges