Glenn A. Zeigler v. Deatrix Zeigler

THIS OPINION HAS NO PRECEDENTIAL VALUE. IT SHOULD NOT BE
CITED OR RELIED ON AS PRECEDENT IN ANY PROCEEDING
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY RULE 268(d)(2), SCACR.

THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
In The Court of Appeals

Glenn A. Zeigler, individually and as Personal
Representative of the Estate of Leon Zeigler and Lula
Mae Zeigler, Respondent,

v.

Deatrix Zeigler, Appellant.

Appellate Case No. 2024-001080

Appeal From Lexington County
James O. Spence, Master-in-Equity

Unpublished Opinion No. 2026-UP-076
Submitted February 2, 2026 – Filed February 18, 2026

AFFIRMED

Robert Lee Gailliard, of Robert L. Gailliard, Attorney at
Law, of North Charleston, for Appellant.

Spencer Andrew Syrett, of Columbia, for Respondent.

PER CURIAM: Deatrix Ziegler (Deatrix) appeals the Master-in-Equity's order
finding a quitclaim deed conveying real property from Leon and Lula Mae Ziegler
(collectively, Parents) to Deatrix was improperly executed and invalid to effect the
transfer of real property. On appeal, Deatrix argues the master erred because the
deed was signed, properly witnessed, and notarized. We affirm pursuant to Rule
220(b), SCACR.

We hold the master did not err by setting aside the deed because the witnesses to
the deed were not present when the deed was signed and therefore, the deed was
improperly executed and invalid. See Shirey v. Bishop, 431 S.C. 412, 421, 848
S.E.2d 325, 330 (Ct. App. 2020) ("[A]n action to set aside a deed [is a] matter[] in
equity."); id. ("In reviewing a proceeding in equity, [an appellate] court may find
facts based on its own view of the preponderance of the evidence." (quoting Greer
v. Spartanburg Tech. Coll., 388 S.C. 76, 79, 524 S.E.2d 856, 858 (Ct. App.
1999))); Skipper v. Perrone, 382 S.C. 53, 57, 674 S.E.2d 510, 512 (Ct. App. 2009)
(stating that although preponderance of the evidence scope of review is broad, an
appellate court will "not disregard the findings of the [master], who saw and heard
the witnesses and was in a better position to evaluate their credibility." (quoting
Tiger, Inc. v. Fisher Agro, Inc., 301 S.C. 229, 237, 391 S.E.2d 538, 543 (1989)));
S.C. Code Ann. § 27-7-10 (2007) ("The following form or purport of a release
shall, to all intents and purposes, be valid and effectual to carry from one person to
another or others the fee simple of any land or real estate if it shall be executed in
the presence of and be subscribed by two or more credible witnesses . . . .").

AFFIRMED.1

THOMAS, MCDONALD, and TURNER, JJ., concur.

1
We decide this case without oral argument pursuant to Rule 215, SCACR.