Lawyer, writer dies at 67

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Jan L. Warner, a prominent writer and leader in the fields of elder and divorce law, died Tuesday after a battle with cancer. He was 67.

Warner, an attorney, and Columbia writer Jan Collins co-wrote a column called "Flying Solo," first published in The State 20 years ago, that was nationally syndicated. The column offered advice on the ins and outs of divorce.

A second jointly written column, "Next Steps," also was published in The State and became nationally syndicated. That column took advantage of Warner's interest in legal issues of importance to senior citizens. Warner and Collins also wrote a book called "Next Steps," which was published in August.

"He was wonderful, very funny and very smart," Collins said. "We got to be good friends."

Mitchell Payne, who practiced law with the New York-born and Sumter-raised Warner, had similar praise.

Warner and Payne, attorneys with the Columbia law firm of Warner, Payne and Black, were founding members of the Carolina Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Column writing and a busy law practice were never too much for Warner, Payne said.

"Everything Jan did he did with great zeal," Payne said. "He seemed to be able to do everything at once."

Warner is survived by his wife, Vicki Shuford Warner, and five children.

A memorial service for Warner will be held at 6 p.m. today at Greenlawn Funeral Home on Leesburg Road.

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Jan Warner offered advice to seniors and divorced

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Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

Lawyer, writer dies at 67

Jan Warner offered advice to seniors and divorced

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