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Docket No. 45089 · South Carolina

Williamsburg County
Probate Court

In South Carolina, estates are probated in the Probate Court (County Probate Court). This page gathers where to file in Williamsburg County, the state rules that apply, and where every detail comes from.

County website ↗ Directions ↗
County seat
Kingstree
Population
29,891
Court
Probate Court
Record
Courthouse mapped
SC · 4508933°38′ N · 79°43′ W
● Williamsburg County Courthouse
located via OpenStreetMap
Small-estate limit
$45,000
Wait 30 days after death
Creditor window
8 months
S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-801 & § 62-3-803
Executor fee
Up to ~5%
Capped by statute
Death taxes
None
No state death tax
§ I

Where to file in Williamsburg County

Handled by
Probate Court (County Probate Court)In South Carolina, each of the 46 counties has an independent Probate Court presided over by an elected Probate Judge, operating under the South Carolina Probate Code.
County building
Williamsburg County Courthouse In Kingstree, SC — street address not tagged in OpenStreetMap. OpenStreetMap · view the map entry
Phone
No phone number published in an open source. Use the county website's contact page — we don't list numbers we can't source.
Opening hours
Not published in an open source. Check the court or county website before you go.
County website
williamsburgcounty.sc.govWikidata
State courts & e-filing
sccourts.orgCase search: South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index Case Search
§ II

How probate runs in Williamsburg County

Six stages, with the South Carolina rules that set the pace.

  1. 01

    Secure the original will

    Find the original signed will and order certified death certificates. South Carolina deadline: Custodian must deliver will to the probate judge (or named PR) within 30 days of actual notice or knowledge of death (S.C. Code § 62-2-901).

  2. 02

    Pick the right track

    If the probate estate is under $45,000, a small-estate procedure (S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201 (Collection by Affidavit)) may avoid full administration.

  3. 03

    Petition the court

    File the petition with the Probate Court (County Probate Court) for Williamsburg County. The court appoints the executor or administrator and issues letters.

  4. 04

    Inventory the estate

    Open an estate bank account (the IRS issues the EIN), list assets at date-of-death values and file the inventory if the court requires it.

  5. 05

    Notify creditors

    Publish or send notice to creditors. Window: 8 months after first publication of notice to creditors, but in all cases no later than 1 year after death (whichever is earlier); mailed notice: earlier of 1 year after death or 60 days after notice.

  6. 06

    Account and distribute

    Pay debts, taxes and fees (S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-719), file the final account if required, distribute to heirs and ask to close the estate.

Need help with an estate in Williamsburg County, South Carolina?

Where to get help.

We don't sell leads or take referral fees. Eligibility, availability and fees depend on the provider; confirm them directly.

  1. 01 South Carolina courts — self-help & formsOfficial judiciary website: forms, filing rules and e-filing.
  2. 02 Legal aid directory — LawHelp.orgNonprofit directory of free and low-cost legal aid by state, including probate and estates.
  3. 03 Find a probate lawyer — American Bar AssociationState-by-state links to bar lawyer-referral services and pro bono programs.
§ III

South Carolina rules that apply here

Probate law is state law — these apply in all 46 South Carolina counties.

Small estates
$45,000 entire probate estate less liens (raised from $25,000 by 2025 Act No. 26, eff. May 8, 2025); affidavit collects personal property only and must be approved/countersigned by the probate judgeS.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201 (Collection by Affidavit) · wait 30 days
Filing the will
Custodian must deliver will to the probate judge (or named PR) within 30 days of actual notice or knowledge of death (S.C. Code § 62-2-901)
Creditor claims
8 months after first publication of notice to creditors, but in all cases no later than 1 year after death (whichever is earlier); mailed notice: earlier of 1 year after death or 60 days after noticeS.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-801 & § 62-3-803
Executor fees
Statutory ceiling: up to 5% of appraised value of probate personal property plus proceeds of court/will-authorized real property sales, plus up to 5% of estate income; minimum $50; extraordinary services by court approval (S.C. Code § 62-3-719)S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-719 · estimate the fee
Handwritten wills
Not recognized without witnesses. South Carolina does NOT recognize unwitnessed handwritten wills (requires two witnesses).
Estate tax
No state estate tax.South Carolina has no state estate tax.
Inheritance tax
No.No inheritance tax in South Carolina.
Typical duration
8 to 14 monthsA lawyer is not required by statute, though most formal estates use one.

Rules re-checked Sept 2026 against: scstatehouse.gov · scstatehouse.gov

§ IV

Neighbouring probate courts

WilliamsburgFlorenceGeorgetownClarendonBerkeleyMarion
Related officeWilliamsburg County Clerk & RecorderDeath certificates, recorded deeds and marriage records for the estate file.uscountyclerks.com ↗ Related officeWilliamsburg County Property AppraiserAssessed values and parcel records for the estate inventory.uspropertyappraisers.com ↗
§ V

Questions about Williamsburg County probate

Where is the Williamsburg County Probate Court located?
In South Carolina, probate is handled by the Probate Court (County Probate Court). Probate filings in Williamsburg County are normally made in the county seat, Kingstree — OpenStreetMap places the Williamsburg County Courthouse there. Confirm the exact office on the official county website (williamsburgcounty.sc.gov).
What is the small estate affidavit limit in Williamsburg County, SC?
Small-estate rules are set by state law, so they are the same in every South Carolina county: $45,000 entire probate estate less liens (raised from $25,000 by 2025 Act No. 26, eff. May 8, 2025); affidavit collects personal property only and must be approved/countersigned by the probate judge (S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201 (Collection by Affidavit)). The waiting period is 30 days.
How do I search probate case records in Williamsburg County?
Start with the South Carolina judiciary website (sccourts.org), which points to South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index Case Search. Older files and certified copies are requested from the probate clerk in Kingstree.
What are the deadlines for filing a will and creditor claims in Williamsburg County?
Will: Custodian must deliver will to the probate judge (or named PR) within 30 days of actual notice or knowledge of death (S.C. Code § 62-2-901). Creditors: 8 months after first publication of notice to creditors, but in all cases no later than 1 year after death (whichever is earlier); mailed notice: earlier of 1 year after death or 60 days after notice (S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-801 & § 62-3-803).
How much can an executor charge in Williamsburg County?
South Carolina rule: Statutory ceiling: up to 5% of appraised value of probate personal property plus proceeds of court/will-authorized real property sales, plus up to 5% of estate income; minimum $50; extraordinary services by court approval (S.C. Code § 62-3-719) (S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-719). You can estimate the amount with our executor fee calculator.