How Much Does Probate Cost in Williamsburg County, South Carolina?
Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in Williamsburg County can expect.
What probate costs in Williamsburg 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 147 West Main Street, Kingstree.
South Carolina charges Flat lower tiers, then 0.15% over $100K to $600K and 0.25% over $600KS.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770(B)Verified May 27, 2026 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%S.C. Code § 62-1-111 (reasonable attorney's fees in formal proceedings); § 62-3-720 (litigation expense reimbursement)Verified May 27, 2026 to 4%S.C. Code § 62-1-111 (reasonable attorney's fees in formal proceedings); § 62-3-720 (litigation expense reimbursement)Verified May 27, 2026 of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is also statutory in South Carolina, typically 5%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)Verified May 27, 2026 to 5%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)Verified May 27, 2026 of estate value. Family executors who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
South Carolina requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%S.C. Code § 62-3-603Verified May 27, 2026 of estate value annually.
Probate in South Carolina typically runs 9 monthsS.C. Code § 62-3-719 (PR compensationVerified May 27, 2026 to 18 monthsS.C. Code § 62-3-719 (PR compensationVerified May 27, 2026, and costs accrue throughout. The 8 monthsS.C. Code § 62-3-803Verified May 27, 2026 creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
Legal Sources
- S.C. Code § 62-1-111 (reasonable attorney's fees in formal proceedings); § 62-3-720 (litigation expense reimbursement)
- S.C. Code § 62-3-603
- S.C. Code § 62-3-719 (PR compensation
- 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 § 62-3-803
- S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770(B)
Data sourced from South Carolina statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Williamsburg County, that means filing fees (about $695 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
The petition to open probate costs about $695 in Williamsburg County. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.
South Carolina uses "reasonable fees" — usually hourly billing or a percentage of the estate. Typical range is 2%–4% of estate value, negotiable based on complexity.
South Carolina caps executor compensation by statute — the same schedule used for attorney fees in many states. Executors can waive this fee, which often makes sense for family members who are also beneficiaries.
Yes. South Carolina estates under $45,000 can use a Small Estate Affidavit and avoid most probate costs. Check the South Carolina self-filing assessment to see if this applies.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Williamsburg County probate.
Probate Court
Williamsburg County
147 West Main Street
Kingstree, SC 29556
Phone:
843-355-9321Fax:
843-213-6997
Email:
probatecourt@wc.sc.govHours:
Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Paper Filing Available
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