MediaKit
Empowering families to protect their land, preserve their legacy, and build generational wealth.
ABOUTCHP
Founded in 2005 in South Carolina, the Center for Heirs’ Property emerged in response to the increasing number of families losing inherited land due to unclear ownership, legal disputes, and a lack of awareness. Over nearly two decades, CHP has grown from a grassroots legal aid service into a nationally recognized nonprofitone that combines legal intervention, land-based wealth education, and deep community engagement.
Rooted in service, CHP has helped thousands of families across the American South prevent land loss, resolve complex title issues, and unlock new opportunities through working landscapes, agroforestry, and sustainable land use practices.
As of 2025, CHP impact extends beyond in South Carolina, to Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Arkansas, and West Virginia- with ongoing partnerships and expansion efforts nationwide.
OURMISSION
The Center for Heirs’ Property is more than a legal aid organization. Itisamovementrootedinopportunityandstability.Webelieveland is not just property - it’s history, it’s home, and it’s the heart of legacy.
For families burdened by fragmented ownership, legal confusion, and historical exclusion, CHP stands as a trusted defender and a guidingpartner.
We walk with families from the courtroom to the backwoods. From legal clinics to family reunions. From inheritance confusion to incomegeneration.Andwedoitwithdeeprespectforeveryclient’s livedexperience.
OURIMPACT
ImpactbytheNumbers:
Sinceitsfoundingin2005,theCenterforHeirsPropertyhas:
Provided 5,842 clients with free, one-hour legal advice and counsel
Provided education and technical assistance to more than 650 families who collectively own and manage 40,000 acres of land.
Drafted 2,050 simple wills through free, community-based Wills Clinics
Delivered direct legal services to 1,962 clients to help resolve title issues— resulting in 412 cleared titles with a combined tax-assessed value of $30.1 million. These families now hold clear, marketable ownership of their land.
Secured $11 million to support partners in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas and West Virginia in adapting and replicating CHP’s proven service delivery model to meet the specific needs of their communities.
REALFAMILIES REALIMPACT
Ms. Clarissa’s story is the story that shows the love and the determination to protect and restore those memories that she holds so dear. The beautiful home was passed from generation to generation, filled with memories fulfilling the home. Here is her story…
Ms. Clarissa was living in a beautiful family home that was owned by her grandfather. He died in 1984; the grandmother of Ms. Clarissa and her four children, including Ms. Clarissa’s mother, inherited the house. In 1997, after 13 years in the home, Ms. Clarissa’s grandmother passed away. One year later, Ms. Clarissa’s mother passed away. The estates of Ms. Clarissa’s grandmother and mother were probated, and the home needed repairs. So, Ms. Clarissa sought assistance, and during that seeking, they (where she sought help) informed her that she did not qualify for home repair assistance because she was not an owner of the home.
The Center for Heirs’ Property (CHP) represented Ms. Clarissa in two Determination of Heirs actions, one for her grandmother and one for her mother. As a result of those legal proceedings, Ms. Clarissa, her three aunts, and her two brothers all gained ownership of the home.
Since Ms. Clarissa will be the one staying in the house, the other heirs agreed that Ms. Clarissa should be the one to own the home. CHPP then prepared the home’s deeds by which the other heirs transferred their interest in the property to Ms. Clarissa.
Ms. Clarissa is now the sole owner of the home and qualifies for home repair assistance.
REALFAMILIES REALIMPACT
Richard was born and raised on his grandfather’s land at the corner of 6-Mile and Rifle Range Road in Mt. Pleasant. “It was all dirt roads back then,” he said. “My uncle used to come through with vegetables in a horse-drawn wagon.”
Doors were never locked. “Everyone knew everybody…trusted everybody.” Richard and his four siblings grew up in the embrace of this family community and have lived their lives there, but over time, the neighboring properties have changed.
More and more houses were built. “There was just more of everything,” he said. That’s when he and his siblings decided to make sure that their children would inherit the land. After hearing about the Center at his church, Richard made the call. “If it wasn’t for the Center, I wouldn’t have had the money to pay for a lawyer to go through with it ”
The Center filed a Quiet Title Action after the heirs agreed to sign over their interest to Richard. Then deeds were written to give each heir his/her portion of the land. Family trust and agreement made the outcome a success.
“It’s a big relief. Things are in order, and it seems like we have no more worries,” Richard said with a laugh. “It makes me feel younger.”
MEDIACOVERAGE
CHP has become a trusted voice in national and regional media, offering expert insights on family land rights, generational wealth opportunity, and fair access for all families. . Our media visibility serves not only to elevate awareness but to reinforce trust, inspire action, and attract strategic partnerships.
Below is a curated list of notable coverage, reflecting the strength of our narrative, leadership, and impact:
National Press Coverage Regional Media Features
CHP’s mission and work have garnered attention from prominent national outlets, highlighting our thought leadership in protecting family land, building generational wealth, and expanding opportunity for all families
CHP has been prominently featured across regional media outlets in the Southeast, Appalachia, and the Gulf, amplifying community stories and service announcements.
Thought Leadership Articles
Our executive leadership contributes regularly to influential nonprofit and philanthropic thought platforms
Podcast & Radio Appearances
As part of our narrative-building efforts, CHP’s leaders have been featured on leading platforms discussing heirs’ property, economic empowerment, and stewardship of land and natural resources.
WAYSTOENGAGE
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT
Invite our executives to speak at conferences, universities, town halls, or summits on heirs property, land justice, legacy, or forestry.
Our most common speaking topics include:
"From Land Loss to Legacy: The Heirs’ Property Crisis"
"How Sustainable Forestry Builds Generational Wealth"
"Policy Solutions to Protect Family Land"
Ideal For: Conferences, non profit events, academic institutions, and advocacy forums.
Logistics: Virtual or in-person (travel costs may apply).
WAYSTOENGAGE
PODCAST FEATURES
Invite CHP leaders or client storytellers as guests to discuss generational wealth, legal navigation, or economic opportunity.
Our most common speaking topics include:
"The Land We Stand On: Why Losing Heirs’ Property Hurts Us All"
“Paperwork and Power: How Legal Documents Can Save a Family’s Future”
"Beyond the Acreage: Cultural and Emotional Ties to Family Land
Ideal For: Personal finance, real estate, family opportunity
Logistics: Virtual or in-person (travel costs may apply).
WAYSTOENGAGE
BROADCAST INTERVIEWS
Book CHP leaders or client storytellers for television, radio, or livestream interviews to share insights on generational wealth, legal navigation, sustainable land use, and community empowerment.
Our most common speaking topics include:
"What’s at Stake: The Urgent Fight to Protect Heirs’ Property"
"Turning Forest Assets into Family Wealth"
"Quick Facts and Solutions for Safeguarding Generational Land"
Ideal For: News segments, morning shows, community programs, public affairs broadcasts, and industry-specific media.
Logistics: Available for in-studio, on-location, or virtual interviews
BRANDASSETS
To ensure consistent, professional, and accessible storytelling across all media platforms, the Center for Heirs’ Property provides a suite of brand assets for journalists, partners, funders, and collaborators. These assets help reinforce brand identity, elevate content quality, and enable immediate use by the media.
AssetType Description
LogoFiles
BrandStyleGuide
OfficialCHPlogosincolorandmonochromeforprintanddigitaluse. Includesverticalandhorizontalversions.
Outlinescorrectlogousage,fonts,colorpalette,toneofvoice,and do’s/don’ts.
Headshots
Professionalportraitsofleadershipteamandkeyspokespeople. .JPG,.PNG
B-Roll&Imagery
High-resolutionactionphotos,communityshots,forestryprojects,and legalclinics.
FactSheets
One-pagershighlightingimpactdata,programsummaries.
Infographics
Visualdatasummariesonheirs’property,economicmobility,andlegacybuilding.
CONNECTWITHC
We invite journalists, influencers, funders, and community partners to collaborate with CHP in telling the stories that build understanding and protect family legacies. Every shared article, every interview, and every strategic connection brings us closertoafuturewherenofamilylosestheirland.
We’d love to hear from you. To connect with the Center for Heirs’ Property, please email info@heirsproperty.org.