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Beaufort County, SC Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Beaufort County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Beaufort County Probate Court |
| Main office | 102 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29902 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 1083, Beaufort, SC 29901-1083 |
| Phone | (843) 255-5850 |
| Administration line | (843) 255-5851 |
| Fax | (843) 255-9447 |
| Hours | Beaufort office: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the building closed to the public at 4:30 p.m. All court business is by appointment. |
| Satellite offices | Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County: County Government Center South, 539 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928. Bluffton, Beaufort County: 4819 Bluffton Parkway, Myrtle Park Building, 3rd Floor, Bluffton, SC 29910. |
| Cost | The estate charge is set by S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770. Beaufort County also publishes local charges, including a Notice to Creditors publication charge, copy charges and payment rules. |
| Payment | At the Beaufort office, cash must be in exact change and debit and credit cards are not accepted. At the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton satellite offices, a required charge must be paid by check or money order. |
| Forms | Beaufort County links the statewide South Carolina Judicial Branch Probate Court forms and does not publish a separate local form set on its probate court page. |
| Electronic filing | No Beaufort County probate electronic filing portal is published. South Carolina has no statewide probate electronic filing system. |
| Case lookup | Beaufort County publishes its own online probate court index for estate cases, with search by case number, case type or party name. |
| Remote participation | Local practice is not published. Under the Supreme Court order on Remote Communication Technology, as amended February 19, 2025, the probate judge decides how the statewide rule applies. |
| Website | https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/probate-court/index.html |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you start probate in Beaufort County, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, accounts, real estate and likely heirs or beneficiaries. The right local path depends on what has to pass through the estate, whether a personal representative needs court authority and whether the filing should go to the Beaufort office or can be dropped at a Beaufort County satellite office.
Sunset helps with estate settlement by searching across 2,300 institutions for accounts and assets, then organizing what you find into a probate-ready packet. That gives you a clearer picture before you call the Beaufort County Probate Court for an appointment or ask a South Carolina probate attorney to review the next step.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Estates for people domiciled in Beaufort County are handled by the Beaufort County Probate Court, whose main office and court records are in Beaufort. The court also publishes satellite offices in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and Bluffton, Beaufort County, but those locations take estate filings as drop-off only and do not open or process new estates at the counter.
For local orientation, Beaufort County includes Beaufort, Port Royal, Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, Daufuskie Island and unincorporated parts of the county. If a place name crosses a county line, use South Carolina's venue rule for probate filings, S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-201, and confirm the correct county with the Probate Court before filing.
The jurisdiction process
- List the probate assets, debts, heirs and beneficiaries, then decide whether you are asking for informal appointment, formal appointment or another statewide estate procedure. Form 300ES is the statewide starting form for informal probate or a formal petition, and formal filings use the additional formal process and charge.
- Download the statewide South Carolina Judicial Branch Probate Court forms from the forms page Beaufort County links. Use the current statewide form set rather than an older county menu link that no longer reaches the forms page.
- Call the Beaufort County Probate Court at (843) 255-5850 before going to the courthouse. The court publishes that meetings and all related court business are by appointment only.
- File at the Beaufort office at 102 Ribaut Road, or ask the court whether your estate papers may be dropped at the Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, or Bluffton, Beaufort County, satellite office. Satellite filings are date-stamped when received, then sent to Beaufort because all court records are kept there.
- Pay the estate charge set by S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770 and any Beaufort County charges that apply. At the Beaufort office, cash must be exact change and debit and credit cards are not accepted; at a satellite office, a required charge must be paid by check or money order.
- Complete any required notice steps and respond to court requests. Beaufort County publishes its own Notice to Creditors publication charge, and the statewide creditor rules are administered through the Probate Court.
- If the court schedules a hearing, ask the Beaufort County Probate Court how it handles remote participation. Under the Supreme Court order on Remote Communication Technology, as amended February 19, 2025, the probate judge may permit or require remote communication in a non-criminal proceeding unless the judge finds it would likely cause substantial prejudice or affect fairness.
- After appointment and qualification, the personal representative receives authority from the court. South Carolina's code calls that authority letters, including letters testamentary and letters of administration under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-1-201, and the court-issued document banks ask for is the Certificate of Appointment, Form 141PC, with the court's raised seal.
- Administer the estate, keep records, use Beaufort County's online probate court index when you need to check case information, and close the estate through the statewide closing process when administration is complete.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Beaufort County
Beaufort County's probate court page links directly to the statewide South Carolina Judicial Branch Probate Court form set. The county's Estate Administration page also tells families that forms for estate administration documents are available online through the South Carolina Judicial Branch.
Beaufort County's probate court page does not publish a local form set, a local cover sheet, a checklist or a personal representative handbook of its own. Use the statewide numbered forms, including Form 300ES for informal or formal probate filings and Form 420ES for a proceeding under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201 when that statewide procedure applies.
If you find an older Beaufort County menu item for estate or probate forms that does not open the current form list, go instead to the live South Carolina Judicial Branch Probate Court forms page at https://www.sccourts.org/court-forms/?courtType=PC.
Fees
The estate charge is set by S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770, not by Beaufort County. Beaufort County publishes its own fee page with additional local charges and payment rules, and the court does not print an effective date beside those local figures.
| Published Beaufort County charge | Amount and date context |
|---|---|
| Notice to Creditors publication | $45.00, as published on the Beaufort County Probate Court fee page with no effective date, page reviewed August 2026 |
| Copies made by Probate Court staff for the public | $0.50 per page, as published on the Beaufort County Probate Court fee page with no effective date, page reviewed August 2026 |
| Copies made by the public | $0.30 per page, as published on the Beaufort County Probate Court fee page with no effective date, page reviewed August 2026 |
| Application for court approval of compromise and other filing, recording or indexing not otherwise provided in S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770 | $55.00, as published on the Beaufort County Probate Court fee page with no effective date, page reviewed August 2026 |
| Recording an authenticated record after the first two hours | $16.00 hourly, charged in quarter-hour increments with a $4.00 quarter-hour minimum, as published on the Beaufort County Probate Court fee page with no effective date, page reviewed August 2026 |
| JTROS affidavit for real estate, probate charge | $20.00, as published on the Beaufort County Probate Court fee page with no effective date, page reviewed August 2026 |
The county also publishes that cash payments must be in exact change and that debit and credit cards are not accepted. If a required charge is paid at the Hilton Head Island or Bluffton satellite office, the court says it must be paid by check or money order.
Local nuance
Beaufort County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means in Beaufort County |
|---|---|
| Three probate locations | The main probate office is in Beaufort. The Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and Bluffton, Beaufort County, offices are satellite locations. |
| Satellite drop-off rule | Effective December 22, 2025, the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton satellite offices accept estate filings only as drop-off. They are not equipped to open a new estate, process a filing, write a receipt or accept guardianship, conservatorship, trust or therapeutic filings. |
| Records kept in Beaufort | All court records are kept at the Probate Court in Beaufort. A filing dropped at a satellite office is date-stamped when received and then sent to Beaufort, so review or processing may be delayed. |
| Appointments | The court publishes that meetings and all related court business are by appointment only. If an estate clerk appointment is needed, call the Beaufort office to schedule it in Beaufort. |
| Hours differ by location | The Beaufort office runs 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the building closed to the public at 4:30 p.m. The Bluffton office runs 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The two satellite offices close from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. |
| Associate probate judges | The Beaufort County Probate Court publishes two associate probate judges in addition to the elected Probate Judge. |
| Online probate index | Beaufort County publishes its own online probate court index for estate cases, separate from the statewide multi-court index. |
Recent updates
| Date | Beaufort County update |
|---|---|
| December 22, 2025 | The Beaufort County Probate Court announced that the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton satellite offices would begin accepting estate filings only as drop-off, with filings date-stamped on receipt and then sent to Beaufort for review and processing. |
| August 26, 2024 | The Bluffton satellite office location became 4819 Bluffton Parkway, Myrtle Park Building, 3rd Floor, Bluffton, SC 29910, according to the court's published office listing. |
Scenarios
| Scenario | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Call the Beaufort County Probate Court before filing to discuss whether an estate appointment is needed and whether any papers should be brought to the Beaufort office. The court publishes a separate JTROS real estate affidavit charge on its fee page, but you should confirm what document, if any, the court needs for the specific property. | Sunset helps identify accounts, insurance and other assets so the spouse can decide whether a full estate settlement is needed before scheduling a court appointment. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | Use the statewide South Carolina forms linked by Beaufort County, including Form 420ES under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201 if that statewide procedure fits. If travel is difficult, ask whether papers can be mailed or dropped at a Beaufort County satellite office, but remember that satellite drop-off does not open or process the estate. | Sunset organizes institution information, balances and documents so an out-of-state child can prepare a cleaner packet before calling Beaufort County. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | Because a home sale can require court authority and clean title work, start with the Beaufort office and consider legal counsel. The court's own page says the process can be simple or complicated depending on asset type, ownership form, beneficiaries and whether assets are in more than one county, state or country. | Sunset helps find financial accounts and connects the family with a vetted South Carolina probate attorney when the estate settlement involves real estate or a sale. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Beaufort County Probate Court | Publishes office locations, appointment rules, a fee page and an online probate court index. The court also states that the Probate Judge and court staff cannot give legal advice. | 102 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29902. Mailing: P.O. Box 1083, Beaufort, SC 29901-1083. Phone: (843) 255-5850. Fax: (843) 255-9447. Website: https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/probate-court/index.html |
| Beaufort County probate court index | Searches Beaufort County estate cases by case number, case type or party name. | https://govcloud2.hostedbyspartan.com/SCBeaufortPRO/PublicProbate/pages/InquiryMainPage.aspx |
| Beaufort County Probate Court fee page | Lists local charges, including the Notice to Creditors publication charge and copy charges, and explains the county's cash and card rules. | https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/probate-court/court-fees.html |
| South Carolina Judicial Branch probate form set | Provides the statewide numbered Probate Court forms that Beaufort County links for estate administration. | https://www.sccourts.org/court-forms/?courtType=PC |
| South Carolina Judicial Branch self-help resources | Explains what court staff can and cannot do, including that staff can provide approved forms and available instructions and can check papers for completeness, but cannot tell you what to say. | https://www.sccourts.org/resources/general-public/self-help-resources/ |
| South Carolina Bar Lawyer Referral Service | Connects callers with a lawyer. As posted by the Bar and reviewed August 2026, each participating lawyer agrees to charge no more than $50 for a 30-minute consultation, and the lawyers do not take pro bono cases. | (803) 799-7100, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Online referral is available 24/7 at https://www.scbar.org/public/get-legal-help/ |
When to hire an attorney
Beaufort County's own Estate Administration page says probate can be simple or complicated depending on whether there is a will or trust, the size and type of assets, the number of beneficiaries, marital status and whether assets are located in more than one county, state or country. Counsel makes sense when a will is contested, heirs disagree, real estate must be sold, a personal representative lacks priority, assets cross state lines or a formal hearing is likely. Sunset connects families with a vetted South Carolina probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across financial institutions, insurance carriers and other sources so families can build a clearer inventory for estate settlement before they file in Beaufort County.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you gather into organized summaries and document checklists that fit the South Carolina probate forms Beaufort County links.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Beaufort County estate involves real estate, conflict, formal proceedings or questions court staff cannot answer, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted South Carolina probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, locate assets and understand next steps without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Beaufort County?
Start with the Beaufort County Probate Court at 102 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29902. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1083, Beaufort, SC 29901-1083. All court records are kept at the Beaufort office.
Can I use the Hilton Head Island or Bluffton office for a Beaufort County estate?
Yes, but only for the limited purpose the court publishes. Effective December 22, 2025, the Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and Bluffton, Beaufort County, satellite offices accept estate filings as drop-off only. They cannot open a new estate, process a filing or write a receipt.
Do I need an appointment with the Beaufort County Probate Court?
Yes. The court publishes that meetings and all related court business are by appointment only. If you need an estate clerk appointment, call the Beaufort office at (843) 255-5850.
What are the Beaufort County probate office hours?
The Beaufort office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the building closed to the public at 4:30 p.m. The Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, satellite has the same office hours and public closing time, with a 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. lunch closure. The Bluffton, Beaufort County, satellite is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and also closes from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch.
Can I look up a Beaufort County estate online?
Yes. Beaufort County links its own online probate court index for estate cases. The search page allows searching by case number, case type or party name. Do not rely on the statewide multi-court index as the probate estate search unless the court tells you to use it for your matter.
Does Beaufort County publish probate forms?
Beaufort County links the statewide South Carolina Judicial Branch Probate Court forms. Beaufort County's probate court page does not publish a separate local form set, local cover sheet, checklist or personal representative handbook.
Can I start a Beaufort County probate case through an electronic portal?
No Beaufort County probate electronic filing portal is published, and South Carolina has no statewide probate electronic filing system. Call the Beaufort County Probate Court to ask how it wants to receive your papers.
How do I pay Beaufort County probate charges?
At the Beaufort office, cash must be in exact change and debit and credit cards are not accepted. If a required charge is paid at a Hilton Head Island or Bluffton satellite drop-off, the court says payment must be by check or money order.
What will a Beaufort County probate filing cost under S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770?
The estate charge is set by the statewide schedule in S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770. Beaufort County also publishes local charges on its fee page, including a Notice to Creditors publication charge of $45.00 as published with no effective date, page reviewed August 2026, plus copy charges.
Do I have to travel to Beaufort for probate?
An estate is opened and processed in Beaufort because all Probate Court records are kept there. A filing may be dropped at the Hilton Head Island or Bluffton satellite office if it fits the court's December 22, 2025 drop-off rule, but the satellite will send it to Beaufort for review and processing.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.