Melody J. E. Breeden

Melody J. E. Breeden

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  • 843-213-5530

Melody Breeden focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning and probate law.

Melody has been certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law. She is a member of  the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, a national invitation–only organization recognizing attorneys with exceptional skill and expertise in trust and estate matters. She served on the South Carolina Estate Planning and Probate Law Specialization Advisory Board. Melody takes a genuine interest in each client and provides superior legal service individualized for each client’s needs.

Melody handles both simple and complex estate planning and probate matters ranging from Simple Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Powers of Attorney to Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts. Melody understands that each situation is unique. Melody also handles Special Needs Trusts, Conservatorships, and Guardianships. From creditors and beneficiaries of estates to fiduciaries of trusts and estates, Melody’s experience and expertise allows her to competently handle estates of all sizes. She has experience protecting the interests of surviving spouses’, minors, and other interested parties’ in estates.   Melody is also certified as a mediator to assist in resolving disputes outside of the courtroom. Melody also assists families plan for the succession of their family businesses.

Melody is a Practical Law Contributor for Thomas Reuters, and she speaks on various estate planning and probate topics. She also serves as an expert witness in contested probate matters.  

As a Myrtle Beach native, Melody has developed many long term relationships with her clients, and she is an active member in her community.  Until its merger with EdVenture Children’s Museum, she served as the President of the Children’s Museum of South Carolina. Melody served as an attorney coach for the St. Andrew Middle School Mock Trial Team. 

  • University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., 2001
  • College of Charleston, Bachelor of Arts, 1998, magna cum laude
  • South Carolina Bar, 2001
  • North Carolina State Bar, 2004
  • United States District Court, District of South Carolina

Professional or Industry Involvement

  • American College of Trust & Estate Counsel
  • Estate Planning and Probate Law Specialization Advisory Board Member, 2016-2021
  • South Carolina Bar Probate, Estate Planning & Trust Section Council, Chairperson 2018
  • South Carolina Bar House of Delegates
  • Elder Law Committee Of South Carolina Bar
  • National Association of Elder Law Attorneys
  • Horry County Bar Association
  • American Bar Association      

Community or Pro Bono Involvement

  • Coastal Educational Foundation Board of Directors
  • Coastal Planned Giving Advisory Council, Chair 2018
  • Children’s Museum of South Carolina, past President 
  • Best Lawyers in America, Trusts and Estates, 2024
  • Certified Circuit Court Mediator by the SC Board of Arbitrator and Mediator Certification, 2012
  • Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law in South Carolina since 2009
  • Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™-AV®