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South Carolina estate planning
Home→States→South Carolina

South Carolina Estate Planning: Free Wills, Forms & Calculators

The Palmetto State

Access essential estate planning resources for South Carolina residents. Download FREE forms including Wills, Power of Attorney documents, and Healthcare Proxy forms, plus explore probate calculators.

What Makes South Carolina Different

Estate planning in South Carolina involves navigating a specific set of state laws that differ in important ways from neighboring states. Understanding these distinctions helps ensure your documents will be valid and your wishes carried out as intended.

Like all states, South Carolina recognizes formally executed wills and living trusts as valid estate planning tools. A standard will here requires 2 adult witnesses, and adding a notarized self-proving affidavit can streamline the probate process later.

Financial powers of attorney here require both two witnesses and a notary, making South Carolina one of the stricter states for these documents. Plan to execute yours at a bank or attorney's office where you can satisfy all requirements at once. Healthcare proxies in South Carolina require both two witnesses and notarization, making it one of the stricter states for these documents. Plan to execute yours at a bank or attorney's office where you can satisfy all requirements at once. The state adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act in 2017, modernizing its rules around financial powers of attorney. If you have older documents, it may be worth reviewing them to ensure they take advantage of the current law's protections.

If you die without a will in South Carolina, your heirs must survive you by at least 5 days to inherit anything. This "survival period" exists to prevent property from passing through multiple estates in quick succession when family members die close together in time, such as in an accident.

Find Your County's Probate Court

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Each county in South Carolina handles probate matters through its local court system. Click on any county to view specific court contact information, judges, filing procedures, and local requirements.

South Carolina Estate Law

Probate costs, will requirements, trust laws, and more. Compare with other states.

Explore

South Carolina Estate Planning Forms

Pick what's right for you. Free for South Carolina.

$12/month

Revocable Living Trust

Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.

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Free

Last Will and Testament

Name your heirs, guardians, and final wishes. Free for every state.

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Free

Pour-Over Will

Catch anything outside your trust. Pairs with your revocable trust.

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Free

Healthcare Power of Attorney

Name someone to make medical decisions if you can't.

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Free

Financial Power of Attorney

Name someone to manage your finances if you can't.

Get Started

South Carolina Tools & Calculators

Run the numbers for South Carolina for free.

How Much Does Probate Cost in South Carolina?

Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.

Use Calculator

How Much Can an Executor Charge in South Carolina?

Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. See if your state has statutory fees or uses reasonable compensation.

Use Calculator

Who Inherits Without a Will in South Carolina?

Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.

Use Calculator

What's Fair Trustee Compensation in South Carolina?

Find out what's fair compensation for serving as trustee. Compare family, professional, and corporate trustee rates based on your situation.

Use Calculator

How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes in South Carolina?

Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.

Use Calculator

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need in South Carolina?

Calculate how many certified death certificates you need based on the assets and accounts you need to close. See state-specific ordering information.

Use Calculator

Do I Need Probate in South Carolina?

Answer a few questions to find out if an estate needs full probate, qualifies for simplified probate, or can avoid probate entirely with a small estate affidavit.

Check Now

What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost in South Carolina?

See the true cost of estate planning. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys including life events like marriage, divorce, and having children.

Compare Costs

How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost in South Carolina?

Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.

Compare Costs

How Much Does a Will Cost in South Carolina?

Compare the cost of creating a will. See document costs plus probate fees your heirs will pay. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys.

Compare Costs

How Much Life Insurance Do I Need in South Carolina?

Calculate how much life insurance coverage you need. Accounts for income replacement, debt payoff, college funding, and state-specific factors like cost of living and estate taxes.

Use Calculator

I'm Inheriting - What Should I Expect in South Carolina?

Find out what to expect when inheriting money, property, or other assets. See timeline estimates, inheritance tax implications, and understand what the executor or trustee is handling behind the scenes.

Learn More

Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected in South Carolina?

See how your state handles beneficiary designations after divorce, inherited IRA creditor protection, and spousal consent requirements for retirement accounts.

Check Now

What Are the Estate Laws in My State in South Carolina?

Understand your state's estate planning landscape. See will execution requirements, probate procedures, trust administration rules, and what happens if you die without a plan.

Check Your State

How Do Trust Laws Differ Between States in South Carolina?

See side-by-side differences in trust execution requirements, remote notarization, transfer-on-death deeds, and administration rules. Calculate settlement costs for each state.

Compare States

How Do I Sign Estate Documents in South Carolina?

Understand what you need to execute your estate planning documents. Check witness requirements, notarization rules, and whether you can sign remotely via video call (RON).

Check Requirements

Will My Estate Documents Transfer in South Carolina?

Moving states? Find out if your will, trust, healthcare proxy, or power of attorney will be recognized in your new state. See the legal basis for interstate recognition and any potential issues.

Check Portability

Do I Need a Revocable Trust in South Carolina?

Answer questions about your estate size, real estate, family situation, and privacy preferences to see how a revocable trust compares to a will alone.

Take the Quiz

Can I Self-File Probate in South Carolina?

Get a score-based recommendation on whether self-filing probate is right for your situation. See estimated savings vs. hiring an attorney and get a step-by-step checklist.

Check Now

Do I Need a Trust or Will in South Carolina?

Compare trusts vs wills for your specific situation. See probate costs, trust administration expenses, and whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures based on your state and estate value.

Compare Options

How Do I Settle an Estate in South Carolina?

Get a personalized checklist for settling an estate after someone passes away. Covers trust administration, probate, and intestate estates.

Get Checklist

What Are My Duties as Trustee in South Carolina?

Step-by-step guide for successor trustees administering a trust. Understand your duties, notification deadlines, and asset management responsibilities.

Get Checklist

What Are My Duties as Executor in South Carolina?

Complete guide for executors and personal representatives navigating probate. Court filings, creditor claims, and distribution timelines.

Get Checklist

South Carolina Estate Attorneys

Find estate planning attorneys in South Carolina by practice area.

South Carolina Estate Planning Attorneys

34 firms

South Carolina Trust Administration Attorneys

20 firms

South Carolina Probate Attorneys

34 firms

South Carolina Probate Litigation Attorneys

3 firms

South Carolina Elder Law Attorneys

11 firms

South Carolina Tax Planning Attorneys

9 firms

South Carolina Guardianship Attorneys

5 firms

South Carolina Special Needs Planning Attorneys

4 firms

South Carolina Asset Protection Attorneys

3 firms

Financial Institutions in South Carolina

Banks, brokerages, and credit unions serving South Carolina.

Ameris Bank

Ameris Bank logo

Bank serving the Southeast and Northeast

Ameris Bank

Auto-Owners Life

Auto-Owners Life logo

Insurance Company serving the Midwest, Southeast, and more

Auto-Owners Life

Bayer Heritage

Bayer Heritage logo

Credit Union serving the Southeast, Midwest, and more

Bayer Heritage

City National

City National logo

Bank serving the Southeast, West, and more

City National

Fifth Third Bank

Fifth Third Bank logo

Bank serving the Southeast, Midwest, and more

Fifth Third Bank

First Horizon

First Horizon logo

Bank serving the Southeast, Northeast, and more

First Horizon

First National Bank

First National Bank logo

Bank serving the Southeast, Northeast, and more

First National Bank

Grow Financial

Grow Financial logo

Credit Union serving Florida and South Carolina

Grow Financial

Huntington

Huntington logo

Bank serving the Southeast, Midwest, and more

Huntington

Pinnacle Bank

Pinnacle Bank logo

Bank serving the Southeast and Northeast

Pinnacle Bank

Regions

Regions logo

Bank serving the Southeast, Midwest, and more

Regions

ServisFirst

S

Bank serving the Southeast

ServisFirst

SouthState Bank

SouthState Bank logo

Bank serving the Southeast, West, and more

SouthState Bank

Synovus

Synovus logo

Bank serving the Southeast

Synovus

Truliant FCU

Truliant FCU logo

Credit Union serving North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia

Truliant FCU

Acorns

Acorns logo

Brokerage serving all 50 states

Acorns

South Carolina Estate Planning News

Track South Carolina estate planning updates including probate court changes and inheritance tax developments.

Key Trust and Estate Law Changes Coming in 2025

Key Trust and Estate Law Changes Coming in 2025

Discover key changes in trust and estate law for 2025 that could impact your financial planning.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 22, 2026
Expanded Estate Planning Services Now Available in Six States

Expanded Estate Planning Services Now Available in Six States

New estate planning services are launching across six states, making access easier for middle-class families.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 29, 2025

South Carolina Estate Planning Articles

Understand South Carolina inheritance laws, probate procedures, and trust planning for Palmetto State families.

What Is the Cost of Probate in South Carolina?

What Is the Cost of Probate in South Carolina?

South Carolina probate costs range from court fees to attorney expenses, typically 2-4% of estate value.
Estate Planning
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 26, 2026
How Revocable Trusts in South Carolina Versus Nevada Compare

How Revocable Trusts in South Carolina Versus Nevada Compare

Discover the key differences in establishing revocable trusts in South Carolina versus Nevada, focusing on legal protections and tax implications.
Estate Planning
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialOctober 3, 2025
A Short History of Estate Tax in South Carolina

A Short History of Estate Tax in South Carolina

Explore the ins and outs of estate tax in South Carolina, focusing on federal implications since the state levy does not exist.
Estate Planning
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialOctober 3, 2025
Inheritance Tax in South Carolina: A Thirty-Year Perspective

Inheritance Tax in South Carolina: A Thirty-Year Perspective

Explore the evolution of inheritance tax in South Carolina over the last 30 years, its impact on estate planning, and current tax implications.
Estate Planning
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 11, 2025