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

Estate Packet(DOCX, 61KB)

If the Decedent owned real property and/or the total value of probate assets are over $45,000.00 - Open a Full Estate.

Small Estate Packet(DOC, 96KB)

If the Decedent did not own real property and the probate assets total under $45,000.00 - Open a Small Estate.

Admit a Will to Probate no probate assets(DOCX, 39KB)

If the Decedent left a Last Will and Testament but there are no probate assets to transfer - Probate the Will Only.

How to File a Formal Action(PDF, 586KB)

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. 

 

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

Probate Judge

Judge Amy McCulloch is the Richland County Probate Judge for proceedings and records related to marriages, estates, guardianships and conservatorships, and commitments.

Probate Court

Phone

803-576-1961

Location

1701 Main St.
2nd Floor, Ste. 207
Columbia, SC 29201

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 288
Columbia, SC 29201

Hours

Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Probate Court Services

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