CONWAY, SC — A family is raising concerns about a real estate transfer involving a 75‑year‑old man and his in‑home caregiver, saying the property changed hands shortly before the man’s death.
Family member Nora Rowland has stated that the deed to her father’s home was signed over to his primary caregiver, Sarah Smalls, weeks before he passed away. Smalls began providing care through a private home‑care arrangement in March 2024. Rowland said she discovered the ownership change only after traveling to the residence for a welfare check and reviewing county records.
Rowland has questioned whether her father had the cognitive ability to understand the transaction at the time it occurred.
Under South Carolina law, county recording offices – including the Horry County Registrar of Deeds are required to file documents that meet statutory formatting and administrative criteria. These offices do not have investigative authority and cannot evaluate the circumstances or fairness of private property transfers.
Families navigating elder care often find that major financial decisions can move quickly, making it important to stay involved and routinely check property records and essential documents as loved ones age. South Carolina recording offices file deeds as submitted and do not evaluate whether a signer understood the transaction, so planning ahead through shared paperwork reviews, early discussions about powers of attorney, and guidance from elder‑law resources can help prevent confusion or disputes later on.
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