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Probate in South Carolina typically costs 2%–4% of the estate value in attorney feesS.C. Code § 62-1-111 (reasonable attorney's fees in formal proceedings); § 62-3-720 (litigation expense reimbursement)Verified May 27, 2026, plus court filing fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and any required surety bond. Attorney fees in South Carolina are negotiated, so the actual cost depends on the firm and complexity. Total all-in costs typically run 3-8% of estate value. The South Carolina probate calculator gives a detailed estimate based on estate value.
South Carolina allows "independent administration" (sometimes called unsupervised or informal probate), which lets the executor handle most estate decisions without ongoing court approval. The executor still files the will, inventories assets, and reports to the court, but doesn't need a hearing for routine actions like paying bills or selling assets. Independent administration typically saves both time and attorney fees compared to supervised probate.
Estate planning attorneys in South Carolina average $374 per hourClio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jan 1, 2025 for wills and estates work. Flat-fee packages run roughly $1,122–$2,244 for a simple individual will and $4,150–$6,225 for a basic revocable trust. Online and DIY services cost $30–$300 for the same documents — see the will cost calculator for a side-by-side comparison.
South Carolina allows estates under $45,000 to use a simplified Small Estate Affidavit procedure, which is a form rather than a court case and typically doesn't require an attorney. For larger estates, formal probate is involved enough that retaining counsel is usually practical — the procedural work is what they're there for. Use the South Carolina probate calculator to estimate the costs.
In South Carolina, the situations where retaining counsel is typically worth the cost are: blended families with children from prior relationships; ownership of a business, rental property, or significant investment assets; special-needs dependents who need a special-needs trust to preserve benefits; substantial property held in multiple states. If none of these describe your situation, the simpler online and DIY tools are often enough.
Search 3,941 estate law firms across 51 states.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to discuss your situation and verify their current practice areas and availability.
74 firms
Austin & Pethick Law Firm serves Aiken and western South Carolina with estate planning, probate, tax law, and business law services. Christopher Austin holds the Accredited Estate Planner designation from the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils and an LL.M. in taxation.
Location
115 Hearthstone DriveAiken, SC 29803
Phone
(803) 226-0453
Founded in 1943, Bernstein & Bernstein has been a cornerstone Columbia law firm for more than eight decades. Their probate and estate attorneys help clients plan for the future so assets are passed down according to their wishes.
Location
1019 Assembly StreetColumbia, SC 29201
Phone
(803) 799-7900
Established
1943
Service Area
1 county
Bespoke Estate Law focuses on estate planning, trusts, wills, probate and trust administration, and business law including LLC and corporation formation. The firm serves the Grand Strand area with personalized estate planning services.
Location
207 Chartwell CourtMyrtle Beach, SC 29588
Phone
(843) 999-0799
Blair Cato Pickren Casterline serves clients from multiple offices across South Carolina. Their estate planning attorneys help clients create wills and trusts while guiding families through the probate process.
Location
700 Huger Street, Suite 102Columbia, SC 29201
Phone
(803) 400-8600
Service Area
4 counties
Bledsoe Law Firm has served the Darlington County and Pee Dee region since 1973. The firm handles wills, powers of attorney, probate, and estate administration alongside personal injury and disability cases.
Location
325 West Home AvenueHartsville, SC 29550
Phone
(843) 332-2255
Established
1973
Law Offices of Brittany Gray maintains offices in Laurens and Mauldin and focuses on estate planning, wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, deeds, probate, and estate administration, serving Laurens, Clinton, and the surrounding Upstate.
Location
102 W. Main StreetLaurens, SC 29360
Phone
(864) 715-5130
Service Area
6 counties
Bluffton firm serving Beaufort, Bluffton, Hardeeville, and Hilton Head. Drafts wills, revocable living trusts, financial and healthcare powers of attorney, and living wills, and guides personal representatives through probate and estate administration.
Location
211 Goethe Road, Suite BBluffton, SC 29910
Phone
(843) 868-2801
Columbia firm focused on tax law, estate planning, probate, trust administration, and business planning. Founding attorney Jeff Z. Brooker III has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America since 2012.
Location
508 Hampton Street, Suite 201Columbia, SC 29201
Phone
(803) 779-1065
Danny V. Butler has been practicing law in the Myrtle Beach area for over 15 years. Butler Law helps with every stage of the estate planning process including wills, trusts, asset protection, probate, estate administration, and Medicaid planning. Butler holds an LL.M. in taxation from the University of Alabama.
Location
4420 Oleander Drive, Suite 203Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Phone
(843) 808-9224
Established
2014
Burts Turner & Rhodes was founded in 1955 when Sam Burts and Noel Turner formed a partnership. The firm provides representation in estate planning including wills and trusts, probate administration, estate litigation, corporate formation, and civil litigation. All attorneys hold AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell.
Location
260 North Church StreetSpartanburg, SC 29306
Phone
(864) 641-3377
Established
1955