By Paul Gable
Allen Beverly, the current Chief Associate Probate Judge, last week announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Horry County Probate Judge.
The current Probate Judge, Kathy Ward, has decided to retire and will not seek another four-year term in office.
Probate Judge is the only judicial position in South Carolina elected directly by the people.
Beverly is a Horry County native with longstanding family roots in the local area. He and wife, Jennifer, have been married for 12 years. The couple has two children, Hampton age 8 and McLaurin age 4.
Beverly is a graduate of Coastal Carolina University and Campbell University Law School. After graduating from law school, he was hired as an associate in the Greg Martin Law Firm in Conway. Beverly concentrated in the areas of Real Estate and Probate law.
“I was fortunate to be hired by Greg Martin out of law school,” said Beverly. “Everybody liked Greg and he had a good practice where I could learn as a young attorney. Real Estate and Probate were the areas I gravitated to.”
When Martin passed away in 2008, Beverly took over his law practice. He remained in his attorney practice until opportunity came knocking in 2019.
“Judge Ward needed an associate judge in the Probate Court and she called me to ask if I was interested,” Beverly said. “I never considered being a judge up to that point but I decided to accept the opportunity.”
“Judge Ward has been an excellent mentor and leader,” Beverly said. “I learned a great deal from her example. I was honored when she asked me to be Chief Associate.”
The Probate Court currently has the Probate Judge and two associate judges. Judge Ward and Associate Judge Donna Lupo will both be retiring this year, leaving Beverly as the only experienced judge to carry on the work of the office
“I am passionate about the work of the Probate Court,” said Beverly. “The Probate Judge must be fair, understanding, knowledgeable and experienced, but must also be available for help and understanding during difficult times for the families.”
As a sitting judge, Beverly is restricted from certain campaign practices open to other office seekers. He has a committee consisting of: retired attorney and judge Dickie Lester, attorney Davis Inabnit, builder/developer Forrest Beverly, realtor Chris Hanna, mortgage lender Matt Richardson and retired business owner Delan Stevens to handle fund raising and other campaign duties.
“I have been honored to serve the citizens of Horry County as Chief Associate Probate Judge,” Beverly said. “I look forward to continuing that service and providing continuity in this very important office, if I am fortunate enough to be elected,” Beverly said.
The Republican Primary for Probate Judge and other local and state offices will be held on June 14, 2022.
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