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.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Kershaw County, South Carolina
How probate works in Kershaw County: the Probate Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Kershaw County Probate Court
Kershaw County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Office
1121 Broad Street, Room 225, Camden, SC 29020
Website
Filing in person
Walk-ins accepted
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
Filing in person
Walk-ins acceptedThe completed Estate Intake Packet is dropped off at the office or mailed, with no appointment needed. An estate clerk contacts the filer within 15 business days to schedule the meeting where the application is completed.
Self-represented filing
AllowedThe Estate Intake Packet and the Probate Process Brochure take a filer without an attorney through opening an estate. Court staff cannot give legal advice.
Accepted payment
- At the counterCheck, Money order.The fee due with the intake packet is paid by check or money order payable to the Kershaw County Probate Court.
Self-help center
- Council Chambers, Room 100, Kershaw County Government Center, 515 Walnut Street, CamdenThe court holds Probate Process Workshops from 9 a.m. to noon for people probating an estate and for families who want to know what to expect. The workshop reviews the probate process and the probate forms, and pre-registration with the court is preferred.
County forms
- Estate Intake PacketWorksheet, family tree and document checklist completed before the court opens an estate.
- Probate Process BrochureOverview of the three steps of probate and the statewide forms used at each step.
Fax
1-803-425-1526
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Kershaw 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 Kershaw County, probate runs through the Probate Court at 1121 Broad Street, Room 225, Camden.
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 Kershaw County
What probate costs in Kershaw 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 1121 Broad Street, Room 225, Camden.
Procedures at this court that affect cost: Court and office fees published online.
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 cases in Kershaw County are filed at the Probate Court. File in person during business hours or by mail.
The court holds Probate Process Workshops from 9 a.m. to noon for people probating an estate and for families who want to know what to expect. The workshop reviews the probate process and the probate forms, and pre-registration with the court is preferred.
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 Kershaw County Self-Filing Assessment.
Kershaw 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 Intake Packet available for download or pickup at the office
The packet can also be picked up beside the security desk at the Kershaw County Government Center, 515 Walnut Street.
SourceThree-step probate process: (1) Apply and open estate, get appointed; (2) Administer estate, marshal and protect assets, pay expenses; (3) Close estate with accounting and distribution proposal
SourceRecords Access
Estate Index available online (1980-present) for status checks; actual documents not viewable online
SourceOther Requirements
Purses are not allowed in the courthouse
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 Kershaw County
In Kershaw 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
Kershaw 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
Kershaw County · Kershaw County Coroner
Phone
Office
821 Ridgeway Road, Lugoff, SC 29078
Website
Cremation authorization
Signed by this office
Mail and offices
Fax
1-803-432-0961
Verified November 3, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Kershaw 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 Kershaw County are recorded with the Register of Deeds at 515 Walnut Street, Room 180, Camden, SC 29020. Phone: 1-803-425-7235. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM.
The Register of Deeds charges $15 flat, regardless of page count.
Kershaw County accepts electronic recording.
Recording Office Record
Register of Deeds
Kershaw County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Office
515 Walnut Street, Room 180, Camden, SC 29020
Website
E-recording
Fees
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 Kershaw County
South Carolina allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Kershaw 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 Kershaw 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.
Collins Family & Elder Law Group provides estate planning, family law, and elder law services from 15 offices across North and South Carolina. The Columbia office offers guidance on wills, trusts, powers of attorney, guardianships, conservatorships, and estate administration.
Hardy Law Firm focuses on estate planning, probate, elder law, and business law in Lexington, South Carolina. Kevin Hardy prepares wills, living wills, trusts, health care powers of attorney, and durable powers of attorney for clients across the Midlands.
McCutchen McLean helps families across the Midlands navigate estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law, and business and tax law from offices in Lexington and Chapin.
Payne & Black is a leading elder law and estate planning firm with offices in Columbia and Rock Hill. Mitchell C. Payne is a founding board member of the Carolinas Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and a frequent lecturer on elder law, Medicaid, and asset protection.
Todd and Johnson was founded in Columbia in 1980 with a focus on estate planning, trusts, probate, and tax law. Multiple attorneys hold the Certified Specialist designation in Estate Planning and Probate Law from the SC Supreme Court, and several are Fellows of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).
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.
- Kershaw County Probate Court, official page
- Kershaw County Register of Deeds, official page
- Kershaw 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.
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