Cockrill Estate Law provides representation to Lowcountry families in estate planning, probate, and trust matters. Founding attorney Kathryn Cockrill also serves as a court-appointed guardian ad litem on behalf of disabled and disadvantaged adults.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Charleston County, South Carolina
How probate works in Charleston County: the Probate Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Charleston County Probate Court
Charleston County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Office
100 Broad Street, Suite 469, Charleston, SC 29401-2273
Website
E-filing
Filing in person
Walk-ins accepted
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
E-filing
OptionalEstate, trust, adult guardianship and conservatorship cases may be e-filed through EZ-Filing, which takes PDF documents only. Each new e-filed case carries a one-time $7.00 e-file fee plus a bank service fee per transaction. The original will and any codicils are still delivered to the court on paper. On paper: Original wills and codicils are filed on paper; Self-represented filers may register for e-filing or file on paper.
Filing in person
Walk-ins acceptedEstate appointments are booked online through the court's Estate Appointments page, and the court encourages an appointment before coming in. Documents can also be left in the drop boxes outside the Historic Courthouse at 84 Broad Street and the Judicial Center at 100 Broad Street.
Self-represented filing
AllowedInformal administration starts with the Application/Petition, Form 300ES, and needs no hearing, and an estate clerk is assigned once the file has a number. For formal probate or appointment, the court recommends an attorney. Staff cannot give legal advice.
Accepted payment
- At the counterCash, Check, Credit card.Fees are payable to the Charleston County Probate Court, and paying the filing fee and the creditor publication fee by check takes two separate checks. Cash is accepted, and credit cards carry a processing fee.
Self-help center
- Self-help serviceThe court holds free workshops on estate administration and estate planning, virtually and at county libraries, with registration on its website.
84 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Fax
1-843-958-5191
Departments
- Estate Administration1-843-958-5030 · 84 Broad Street, Historic Courthouse, 3rd Floor · Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
- Estate clerk, cases ending in 1 or 61-843-958-5033
- Estate clerk, cases ending in 0 or 51-843-958-5038
- Estate clerk, cases ending in 4 or 91-843-958-5034
- Estate clerk, cases ending in 2 or 71-843-958-5039
- Estate clerk, cases ending in 3 or 81-843-958-5037
- Marriage License Division1-843-958-5183Located at 100 Broad Street, Suite 469.
- Commitment/Guardianship/Conservatorship Division1-843-958-5180Located at 100 Broad Street, Suite 469.
- EZ-Filing help deskhelpdesk@iconsoftware.net
About the court
- The Estate Division is in the Historic Courthouse at 84 Broad Street, 3rd Floor, and the Commitment, Guardianship and Conservatorship, and Marriage License divisions are at 100 Broad Street, Suite 469.
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Charleston County
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Charleston County, probate runs through the Probate Court at 100 Broad Street, Suite 469, Charleston. Charleston County is one of 1 South Carolina counties that accept probate e-filing; most probate courts in the state still take filings on paper.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under South Carolina intestacy law when there is no will.
Most South Carolina estates take 9 months to 18 months to move through this process. Creditors have 8 monthsSC Code §§ 62-3-801, 62-3-803, 62-3-805, 62-3-806Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.
What Probate Costs in Charleston County
What probate costs in Charleston County, South Carolina comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Probate Court at 100 Broad Street, Suite 469, Charleston.
South Carolina charges $25 - $95 (graduated by the probate estate)S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770(B)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in South Carolina are negotiated, typically 2.1%Modeled estimate under S.C. Code § 62-3-721 (compensation of any person the PR employs, including an attorney); § 62-1-111 (costs and attorney's fees in a formal proceeding); § 62-3-720 (litigation expenses): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.3%Modeled estimate under S.C. Code § 62-3-721 (compensation of any person the PR employs, including an attorney); § 62-1-111 (costs and attorney's fees in a formal proceeding); § 62-3-720 (litigation expenses): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
South Carolina allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules payS.C. Code § 62-3-719 (up to 5% of personal property + real property sale proceeds; min $50; court may authorize above 5% for extraordinary services)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
South Carolina requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under S.C. Code § 62-3-603Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in South Carolina typically runs 9 months to 18 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
How to File Probate at the Probate Court
Probate documents in Charleston County can be filed in person at the Probate Court, by mail, or electronically. Most families handling probate themselves prefer paper filing, though e-filing is available.
Beside the filing office, the court lists separate lines for Estate Administration, Estate clerk, cases ending in 1 or 6, Estate clerk, cases ending in 0 or 5, and Estate clerk, cases ending in 4 or 9.
The court holds free workshops on estate administration and estate planning, virtually and at county libraries, with registration on its website.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
South Carolina has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableS.C. Code § 62-3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Charleston County Self-Filing Assessment.
Charleston County Filing Requirements
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Before You File
Estate Division located at 84 Broad Street (Historic Courthouse), 3rd Floor; Estate Division direct line 843-958-5030, fax 843-958-5044
Commitment, Adult Guardianship/Conservatorship, and Marriage Divisions remain at 100 Broad Street, Suite 469.
SourceThe court places the notice to creditors in the newspaper the filer selects
The filer chooses a paper on the Creditor's Publication Selection Sheet and pays the advertising cost when the estate is opened. The court mails the affidavit of publication to the attorney of record, or to the personal representative where there is none.
SourceFormal probate starts with a summons, petition and filing fee served on the interested parties
A hearing is then set for testimony. The court recommends an attorney for formal probate or appointment.
SourceWhat to Bring
Filed with the opening petition at the Probate Court: Death certificate — county Probate Court intake practice, not required by Title 62 or by Form 300ES; the counties differ on form (Berkeley and Horry ask for a certified copy, Charleston for the original and "no copies", Lexington and York for a copy), so confirm with the county where the estate is opened; Original will and any codicils (S.C. Code Ann. § 62-2-901, delivery of will to court); Qualification / Statement of Acceptance of the personal representative (S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-601); Fiduciary Bond (Form 341ES) when required (S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-603)S.C. Code Ann. §§ 62-3-301 to 62-3-311 (informal probate and appointment); §§ 62-3-401 to 62-3-414 (formal testacy and appointment); § 62-3-601 (qualification before letters); § 62-3-603 (bond)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Death Certificates and the Coroner in Charleston County
In Charleston County certified copies of the death certificate come from South Carolina Department of Public Health - Vital Records Section; the Local Health Department files the certificate and issues no copies to the public.
Vital Records Office Record
South Carolina Department of Public Health - Vital Records Section
Charleston County · State vital records office
Phone
Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM; Wednesday 9:30 AM-5:00 PM
Office
2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Website
Certified copies
From South Carolina Department of Public Health - Vital Records Section; the Local Health Department files the certificate and issues no copies to the public
Vital Records Section
P.O. Box 2046
West Columbia, SC 29171
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $12 |
| Each additional copy ordered at the same time | $3 |
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Coroner
Charleston County · Charleston County Coroner's Office
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Office
4000 Salt Pointe Parkway, Charleston County Perimeter Center, North Charleston, SC 29405
Website
Mail and offices
Fax
1-843-746-4033
Verified November 3, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Charleston County
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the Register of Deeds.
Deeds and other real property documents for Charleston County are recorded with the Register of Deeds at 101 Meeting Street, Suite 200, Charleston, SC 29401. Phone: 1-843-958-4800. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM.
The Register of Deeds charges $15 flat, regardless of page count.
Charleston County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, ePN and CSC.
Recording Office Record
Register of Deeds
Charleston County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Office
101 Meeting Street, Suite 200, Charleston, SC 29401
Website
E-recording
Fax
1-843-958-4803
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $15 |
S.C. Code Ann. 8-21-310(A)(1); S.C. Code Ann. 12-24-10 et seq.
Verified October 17, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Charleston County
South Carolina allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Charleston County without hiring an attorney. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in South Carolina are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Charleston County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Probate Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
DeMott Law Firm prepares wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives for families in Summerville, Goose Creek, Charleston, North Charleston, and Hanahan. Russell DeMott served as an Associate Probate Judge for the Dorchester County Probate Court from 2011 to 2017 and is a certified mediator for Probate Court cases.
LaFond Law Group is a Charleston firm on Savannah Highway serving families in the Charleston area. Its probate practice handles estate administration after a death, reconciling the decedent's affairs and transferring assets to beneficiaries, usually under the terms of a will. The firm limits its work to estate planning and administration, elder law, and real estate.
Seibert Law Firm provides a full range of estate planning services from drafting simple wills to developing complex trusts and asset protection strategies. The firm has two Charleston locations and offers competitive pricing with financing options.
Evans, Carter, Kunes & Bennett is located in the heart of downtown Charleston. With over 100 years of collective experience in taxation and estate tax planning, the attorneys assist clients in income taxation, estate planning, probate, trust law and charitable organizations. Each attorney holds a Masters of Law in Taxation or Estate Planning.
Mount Pleasant firm practicing in estate planning and probate law, serving clients throughout the Charleston and Lowcountry regions. Practice covers wills and trusts, probate and administration, and powers of attorney.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Legal Sources
(9)·
- S.C. Code § 62-3-301
- S.C. Code § 62-3-719 (up to 5% of personal property + real property sale proceeds; min $50; court may authorize above 5% for extraordinary services)
- S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770(B)
- S.C. Code Ann. §§ 62-3-301 to 62-3-311 (informal probate and appointment); §§ 62-3-401 to 62-3-414 (formal testacy and appointment); § 62-3-601 (qualification before letters); § 62-3-603 (bond)
- SC Code §§ 62-3-801, 62-3-803, 62-3-805, 62-3-806
- S.C. Code Ann. 8-21-310(A)(1); S.C. Code Ann. 12-24-10 et seq.
- Charleston County Probate Court, official page
- Charleston County Register of Deeds, official page
- Charleston County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
Data sourced from South Carolina statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Tools for Settling an Estate in South Carolina
Free tools for settling an estate in South Carolina: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in South Carolina: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysS.C. Code §§ 62-3-706, 62-3-707, 62-3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 8 monthsSC Code §§ 62-3-801, 62-3-803, 62-3-805, 62-3-806Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
See the Steps
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in South Carolina happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeS.C. Code Ann. § 62-7-101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 90 daysS.C. Code §§ 62-7-813, 62-7-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
See the Steps
Can I Self-File Probate?
South Carolina has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableS.C. Code § 62-3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Get the Answer
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