Estates
The Richland County Probate Court administers estates of decedents, hears and decides trust and estate litigation, and appoints guardians and conservators for minors and incapacitated persons.
Online Services
If the Decedent owned real property and/or the total value of probate assets are over $45,000.00 - Open a Full Estate.
If the Decedent did not own real property and the probate assets total under $45,000.00 - Open a Small Estate.
If the Decedent left a Last Will and Testament but there are no probate assets to transfer - Probate the Will Only.
If the Will is not the original or the interested parties are not in agreement about who should serve as Personal Representative - You must File a Formal Proceeding.
Workshops
Richland County Probate Court offers workshops to assist attorneys, paralegals, and the general public on the procedures of probate court. Upon completing the workshop, representatives will be familiar with the forms and the process.
All workshops are free of charge to the general public however; there is a $30.00 registration fee for attorneys. Attorneys will receive 2.75 hours of CLE Credit for attending the Workshop.
The next workshop is August 20, 2025. Space is limited. To pre-register for the workshop, email the Deputy Clerk of Probate, Andrew Dearden at dearden.andrew@richlandcountysc.gov.
Filing Fees
South Carolina Probate Estate Fee Schedule
| Size of the Regular Estate |
Filing Fee |
| $0.00 to $4,999 |
$25.00 |
| $5,000 to $19,999 |
$45.00 |
| $20,000 to $59,999 |
$67.50 |
| $60,000 to $99,999 |
$95.00 |
| $100,000 to $599,999 |
$95.00 plus .0015 in excess of $100,000 |
| $600,000 and above |
$845.00 on the 1st $600,000 plus .0025 in excess of $600,000 |
Small Estate Affidavit or Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property
Includes $5.00 certification fee
| Size of the Estate |
Fee |
| Less than or Equal to $100.00 |
$17.50 |
| $101.00 to $4,999.99 |
$30.00 |
| $5,000.00 to $19,999.99 |
$50.00 |
| $20,000.00 to $45,000.00 |
$72.50 |
Pursuant to SC Code of Laws §8-21-770
Possible Additional Fees
| Additional Fees |
Amount |
| Copies per page |
$.50 |
| Search Fee |
$3.00 |
| Filing Demand for Notice |
$5.00 |
| Issuing Certified Copies |
$5.00 |
| Filing Conservatorship Accounting |
$10.00 |
| Filing of a Will only |
$10.00 |
| Will Filed only Advertising Fee |
$35.00 |
| Certifying Appeal Record |
$10.00 |
| Probated Will Filing Fee |
$10.00 |
| Order Issued without a Hearing |
$15.00 |
| Issuing Exemplified/Authenticated Copies |
$20.00 |
| Recording Authenticated or Certified Copies |
$20.00 |
| Reopening Closed Estates |
$22.50 |
| Application/Petition for Special Administrator |
$22.50 |
| Application for Successor Personal Representative |
$22.50 |
| Advertising fee for Notice to Creditors(required by state law) |
$55.00 |
| Any Summons and Complaint or Petition |
$150.00 |
| Affidavit for Access to Safe Deposit Box |
$22.50 |
| Affidavit to Obtain Bank Balance |
$22.50 |