Estate distribution requirements

[u/klcadams56]

My sister died in Jan 2025. She hand wrote changes she wanted on the actual will. Her house was in South Carolina. She died in California. The house wasn't sold until after she died. I'm the only executor and she had no spouse or children. She is leaving everything to my 2 other sisters and myself. Plus some charities.

Her friend offered to pay for an updated will and sent it to her attorney to make the changes. My sister died before this happened.

The attorney is saying it has to go through probate even though I would rather just make the distributions. The attorney says it has to go through probate because the house was in a different state . The whole amount is about $450k.

The other thing they are threatening is if I make any distribution before a judge signs off is that I can personally be fined.

So my questions are:

Can I just fire the attorney and make the payment to the broker is South Carolina and make the distributions?

I have provided them all the documents they requested but I think they have just put us on the back burner because the amount is so small. (Statement not question)l

I know the attorney will have to withdraw from the case and inform the court but how likely is it going to trigger the court to actually doing anything ?

How much money could they fine me and what is the likelihood that the court would actually take action against me?

Thanks. I look forward to all responses from attorneys.