Transfer of Joint Account by Survivor to Estate Account

[SCRep]

My question involves estate proceedings in the state of: South Carolina
My father recently passed away. He made me a joint owner on his checking account. I understood it was his wish to divide it with my sister. The account is about $300,000. The entire estate is not over $600,000. After his death, the bank advised me to put all of the money into an estate account so that I could split it with my sister without it becoming a gift. Now I am concerned that I have made a gift of $300,000 to the estate and there may be tax implications. Did I act properly? I understand this will increase my probate fees by a few hundred dollars, but it seemed the best solution.

[flyingron]

Joint tenancy doesn't automatically generate survivorship rights in SC. You at most made a gift of $150,000, the other $150,000 rightfully belonged to the estate to begin with.
It's not likely to make any difference in the long run at those values. It can probably be fixed, and frankly yes you did makea mistake. You should not have touched that account PERIOD without the estate being probated.