Vaughn Ex Rel. Estate of Bernhardt v. Bernhardt

TOAL, Chief Judge:

We granted certiorari to review the Court of Appeals’ decision in Vaughn v. Bernhardt, 339 S.C. 125, 528 S.E.2d 82 (Ct.App.2000). We affirm.

Factual/Procedural Background 1

In the years prior to her death, Mary Henrietta Bernhardt (“Decedent”) established several accounts (“Joint Accounts”) titled jointly in her name and her nephew’s name, John R. Bernhardt (“Bernhardt”). The Joint Accounts contained right of survivorship provisions. The assets in the Joint Accounts represented principal amounts contributed solely by the Decedent, plus interest or income earned on principal…