Khaled Law Firm provides elder law, estate planning, trust administration, Medicaid asset protection, and probate services across the greater Rock Hill area. Julia Khaled has over 20 years of experience in elder law and also holds a Master of Social Work.
What to Do When Someone Dies in York County, South Carolina
How probate works in York County: the Probate Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
York County Probate Court
York County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
1675 York Highway, 2nd Floor, Moss Justice Center, York, SC 29745
Website
Filing in person
Appointment required
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
Filing in person
Appointment requiredAll estate, guardianship/conservatorship administrations, and marriage license applications require an appointment due to high volume. Call (803) 684-8513 to schedule. Walk-ins may obtain certified marriage license copies or drop off/pick up documents without an appointment.
Self-represented filing
AllowedSelf-filers supported with an "Instructions for Administering an Estate" document and FAQs such as "What to Expect When You Open an Estate" and "How do I prepare an Estate Inventory." At the first appointment, staff explain the process and help with the forms but do not give legal advice.
Accepted payment
- At the counterCash, Check, Money order.The notice to creditors publication fee is paid by cash, check or money order payable to the York County Probate Court, which places the notice with the newspaper.
Self-help center
- Moss Justice Center, 1675 York Highway (check in with the 2nd floor receptionist)Monthly information sessions on inventory preparation held at 10 a.m. the third Wednesday of each month (no appointment needed); estate FAQs published online.
County forms
- Instructions for Administering an EstateThe court's instructions for opening an estate in York County, with the documents and fees due at the first appointment.
P.O. Box 219
York, SC 29745-0219
Fax
1-803-684-8536
About the court
- The Probate Court has moved to the second floor of the Moss Justice Center at 1675 York Highway while the Historical Courthouse at 2 S. Congress Street is closed for renovations. Parking is in the main lot in front of the building.
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in York 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 York County, probate runs through the Probate Court at 1675 York Highway, 2nd Floor, Moss Justice Center, York.
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 York County
What probate costs in York 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 1675 York Highway, 2nd Floor, Moss Justice Center, York.
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 York County are filed at the Probate Court. File in person during business hours or by mail.
Monthly information sessions on inventory preparation held at 10 a.m. the third Wednesday of each month (no appointment needed); estate FAQs published online.
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 York County Self-Filing Assessment.
York County Filing Requirements
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Records Access
Estate records accessible in person at Register of Deeds office (6 S. Congress St., Government Center) on public computers
SourceEstate records from 1975 forward searchable online at southcarolinaprobate.net; documents viewable free the day after filing and may be printed for $2.00 per document
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 York County
In York 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
York 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
York County · York County Coroner
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Office
933 Heckle Boulevard, Suite 103, Rock Hill, SC 29732
Website
Cremation authorization
Signed by this office
Mail and offices
Fax
1-803-324-9595
Verified November 3, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in York 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 Clerk of Court.
Deeds and other real property documents for York County are recorded with the Clerk of Court at 6 South Congress Street, York, SC 29745. Phone: 1-803-684-8510. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 649, York, SC 29745.
The Clerk of Court charges $15 flat, regardless of page count.
York County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC and ePN.
Recording Office Record
Clerk of Court
York County · Register of Deeds
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
6 South Congress Street, York, SC 29745
Website
E-recording
P.O. Box 649
York, SC 29745
Fax
1-803-684-8560
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 York County
South Carolina allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in York 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 York 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.
Morton & Gettys offers estate planning, probate administration and litigation, trust administration, and guardianship services from their Rock Hill office. The firm was recognized by U.S. News Best Law Firms.
Nosal & Jeter serves Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Tega Cay, and Indian Land in York and Lancaster counties, with a second office in Cornelius, NC. Its probate and trust administration practice assists executors and personal representatives with court filings, locating and notifying heirs, inventorying property, and selling and distributing assets. It also prepares wills and revocable living trusts.
Timi Poulos Clack, Attorney at Law, LLC is a general practice firm in the historic district of Chester handling estate planning, wills, powers of attorney, living wills, and probate administration, plus family law, real estate, and business matters for Chester County and surrounding counties.
Spartanburg general practice firm serving the Upstate since 1955. Its probate practice covers probate administration, wills and trusts, and estate litigation, alongside real estate, family law, and civil litigation.
Spartanburg firm whose estate practice covers probate administration and estate settlements, including probate forms, family settlement agreements, disclaimers, and federal estate tax returns. The firm also handles estate and trust litigation, and prepares wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, and wealth transfer plans.
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.
- York County Probate Court, official page
- York County Clerk of Court, official page
- York 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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