Opinion ID: 1261234
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Transacting Business

Text: Stephens argues that her conduct does not constitute the transaction of business in South Carolina. We agree. The pleadings and affidavits show that Stephens' only contacts with this state included the following: (1) She attended the closing on the sale of her mother's home. (2) She tended to the sale of some of her mother's furniture. (3) She was given a Power of Attorney which authorized her to transact business in South Carolina. It was executed and recorded here, but was never exercised in this state. (4) She made two trips to South Carolina since 1983 without explaining the purpose of the trips. (5) She allegedly made an oral trust agreement with the White children. The only actions that could possibly constitute the transaction of business in South Carolina for the purposes of the long-arm statute would be the receipt of the Power of Attorney and the making of the alleged oral trust agreement. Although the Power of Attorney was executed and recorded in South Carolina, it was never exercised in this state. Nor was it alleged that Stephens made the oral agreement as the Attorney-in-Fact for Mabel. Therefore, we find that the mere receipt of a Power of Attorney does not constitute the transaction of business for jurisdictional purposes. In addition, we find that the making of the oral trust agreement could not constitute the transaction of business in South Carolina since it was not alleged that the contract was entered into or that it was to be performed in this state.