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Calhoun County, SC Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Calhoun County Probate Court |
| Courthouse address | 902 F.R. Huff Drive, St. Matthews, SC 29135 |
| Mailing address | 902 F.R. Huff Drive, St. Matthews, SC 29135 |
| Phone | (803) 874-3514 |
| Fax | A fax number is not published on the Calhoun County Probate Court website. Call the court before sending anything by fax. |
| Hours and appointments | The court states: appointments only at this time. It also limits in-person visitors to a maximum of two visitors per party, with one preferred for estate matters. |
| Estate fees | The estate fee is set under S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770, current schedule effective April 4, 1995 and retroactive to August 15, 1994. Calhoun County also publishes local estate charges, including a Form 300ES opening fee of $30.00, as published August 30, 2026, and a notice-to-creditors advertising fee of $30.00, as published August 30, 2026. |
| Payment methods | Cash, checks, and money orders only. The court states that it cannot accept credit or debit cards. |
| Forms | Calhoun County republishes local downloads for several statewide probate forms, including Form 300ES, Form 305ES, Form 120, inventory and appraisement, renunciation, and deed of distribution materials. |
| Online filing | The Calhoun County Probate Court website does not publish an electronic filing system, attorney portal, email-filing channel, or drop-box channel. Its full-estate page says documents may be mailed or delivered in person. |
| Case lookup | Calhoun County publishes its own online Public Probate Inquiry tool with case and party search options. The court says copies of estate files must be obtained by visiting the court in person. |
| Remote appearance | No Calhoun County remote-hearing practice is published. South Carolina's statewide Remote Communication Technology order, as amended February 19, 2025, leaves non-criminal remote proceedings to the probate judge's discretion unless remote use would likely cause substantial prejudice or affect fairness. |
| Website | https://www.calhouncountyprobate.net/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Calhoun County, make a written list of probate assets, non-probate assets, known debts, the funeral bill, the original will if one exists, and every heir or devisee who must receive notice. The court's own full-estate page asks for the original will, a certified death certificate, a funeral receipt, Form 300ES, renunciations when needed, and heir information before a full estate is opened.
Sunset's estate settlement platform helps families find accounts and assets across 2,300 institutions before they choose a filing path. That asset picture matters in Calhoun County because the court uses the value-based estate fee under S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770, current schedule effective April 4, 1995 and retroactive to August 15, 1994, and the court states that the value-based probate fee is due within ninety days under § 62-3-706.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The Calhoun County Probate Court in St. Matthews is the filing court for Calhoun County estate matters. South Carolina places one probate court in each county seat by statute, and venue for a decedent's estate is governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-201.
Use the Calhoun County Probate Court when the estate belongs in Calhoun County under § 62-3-201. If the decedent was not domiciled in South Carolina but left property in Calhoun County, call the court before filing so the staff can tell you what local intake steps they require.
The jurisdiction process
- Collect the will, certified death certificate, funeral receipt, asset list, debt list, and names and addresses for heirs and devisees. Calhoun County's full-estate page asks for these materials before opening a full estate.
- Choose the correct filing packet. For a full estate, Calhoun County directs filers to Form 300ES for informal or formal probate, renunciation materials if no will names a personal representative, Form 305ES for information to heirs and devisees, proof of delivery, and inventory materials. A small-estate affidavit uses Form 420ES under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201, with the $45,000 threshold effective May 8, 2025.
- File with the Calhoun County Probate Court at 902 F.R. Huff Drive, St. Matthews, SC 29135. The court's full-estate page says documents may be mailed or delivered in person, and the court states that in-person service is by appointment only.
- Pay the required amounts. Calhoun County accepts cash, checks, and money orders only, and states that it cannot accept credit or debit cards. The estate fee is governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770, current schedule effective April 4, 1995 and retroactive to August 15, 1994, and Calhoun County publishes additional estate charges on its court-fees page.
- Give notice. Calhoun County's full-estate page requires an Information to Heirs form with proof of delivery so heirs are notified that the estate has been opened. Notice to creditors is handled under § 62-3-801, including the published notice period and claims bar described in South Carolina law.
- If the matter is formal or contested, contact the court for scheduling. Calhoun County's formal-proceedings page describes formal matters as contested proceedings involving issues such as objections to appointment, will contests, lost or destroyed wills, or declaratory judgment on intestacy, and states that a court hearing is required.
- Ask about remote participation if a hearing is set. No Calhoun County local remote-practice rule is published. Under South Carolina's Remote Communication Technology order, as amended February 19, 2025, the probate judge decides whether remote communication may be used in a non-criminal proceeding, subject to fairness and prejudice limits.
- After appointment, qualify and obtain authority. South Carolina's probate code calls the personal representative's authority document letters, including letters testamentary and letters of administration under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-1-201, and administration begins when the court issues letters under § 62-3-103. The document banks and transfer agents usually ask to see is the Certificate of Appointment, Form 141PC, which must carry the court's raised seal.
- Administer and close the estate. File the inventory and appraisement within ninety days under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-706, handle creditor claims under § 62-3-801, prepare any deed of distribution if real property must be distributed, account for estate activity, and file the settlement papers required for closing.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Calhoun County
South Carolina uses a statewide numbered probate form set, and Calhoun County republishes several local downloads on its own probate website. The statewide form directory is available through the South Carolina Judicial Branch Probate Court forms page.
For a full Calhoun County estate, the court's full-estate page links a Form 300ES download for informal or formal probate, a sample completed Form 300ES, a renunciation form, a separate explanation of who must sign a renunciation, Form 305ES Information to Heirs and Devisees, Form 120 Proof of Delivery, an inventory and appraisement form, and deed of distribution materials. For a small-estate affidavit under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201, Calhoun County has a separate small-estates page and identifies the $45,000 threshold effective May 8, 2025.
Do not rely on the form number alone. Calhoun County's site pairs the forms with local intake instructions, including the certified death certificate, funeral receipt, notice materials, payment methods, and appointment-only in-person service.
Fees
Calhoun County publishes its own court-fees page. The value-based estate fee follows S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770, current schedule effective April 4, 1995 and retroactive to August 15, 1994. The local page also lists Calhoun-specific estate-related charges and payment limits.
| Charge | Amount and date |
|---|---|
| Form 300ES opening charge stated on the full-estate page | $30.00, as published August 30, 2026 |
| Notice-to-creditors advertising | $30.00, as published August 30, 2026 |
| Creditor claim filing | $10.00, as published August 30, 2026 |
| Formal petition and order filing | $150.00 formal filing, as published August 30, 2026 |
| Petition to sell real estate in aid of assets | $150.00 formal filing, as published August 30, 2026 |
| Ordinary or certified photostat copies | $0.50 per page, $1.00 minimum, as published August 30, 2026 |
| Research charge | $10.00, as published August 30, 2026 |
| Filing and indexing estate materials from another county or state | $20.00, as published August 30, 2026 |
| Subsequent administration, successor personal representative, or special or temporary fiduciary | $22.50, as published August 30, 2026 |
| Rule 4 reopen plus order total | $92.50, as published August 30, 2026 |
For a small-estate affidavit under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201, with the $45,000 threshold effective May 8, 2025, Calhoun County lists affidavit charges that include a certification add-on: $17.50 for $100.00 or less, $30.00 for $101.00 to $4,999.99, $50.00 for $5,000.00 to $19,999.99, and $72.50 for $20,000.00 to $45,000.00, all as published August 30, 2026.
Calhoun County states that it accepts only cash, checks, or money orders and cannot accept credit or debit cards.
Local nuance
Calhoun County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means |
|---|---|
| Appointment-only in-person service | The court states that appointments are required at this time. Call (803) 874-3514 before going to 902 F.R. Huff Drive. |
| Visitor limit | The court caps in-person visitors at two per party and says one visitor is preferred for estate matters. |
| No card payments | The court accepts cash, checks, and money orders only, and states that it cannot accept credit or debit cards. |
| Own estate search | Calhoun County publishes a Public Probate Inquiry tool for searching cases and parties. The court says copies of estate files must be obtained in person. |
| Local form downloads | Calhoun County republishes several probate forms and sample materials on its own website, so use the court's local form page together with the statewide form set. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Calhoun County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by separating probate assets from assets that pass outside the estate. If a deed of distribution is needed, Calhoun County publishes deed of distribution materials and recommends addressing real-property distribution during administration. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts, and property information so the spouse can decide what belongs in the Calhoun County estate settlement packet. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If the estate qualifies for a small-estate affidavit under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201, the $45,000 threshold is effective May 8, 2025, the filing must wait until thirty days after death, and Calhoun County asks for a death certificate and funeral bill. The court's site says documents may be mailed or delivered in person. | Sunset helps collect institution information and generate a cleaner packet before the child calls Calhoun County for appointment and mailing instructions. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually points away from a small-estate affidavit under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201 because Calhoun County's small-estates page states the decedent must have owned no share in real property. A full estate may be needed, and the court lists a petition to sell real estate in aid of assets as a formal filing. | Sunset helps organize assets, heirs, debts, and sale-related documents, then connects the family with a local probate attorney when a court order or real-estate petition is needed. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Calhoun County Probate Court | The court can provide forms, local instructions, appointment information, fee information, and basic case-file information. Court staff cannot give legal advice or tell you what to write in your papers. | (803) 874-3514 |
| South Carolina Judicial Branch self-help resources | The statewide self-help page explains what court staff can and cannot do, and links general court resources. It does not publish a decedent-estate packet. | https://www.sccourts.org/resources/general-public/self-help-resources/ |
| South Carolina Bar Lawyer Referral Service | The referral service connects callers with a lawyer in their area. The Bar states that participating lawyers charge no more than $50.00 for a 30-minute consultation, as stated August 30, 2026, and that the lawyers do not take pro bono cases through that service. | (803) 799-7100 |
| SC Free Legal Answers | An online civil legal-advice clinic linked by the South Carolina Bar for eligible users. | https://sc.freelegalanswers.org/ |
| SC Access to Justice Commission Legal Resource Finder | A statewide resource finder for legal-help options. | https://www.scaccesstojustice.org/get-help |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a probate attorney for a contested appointment, a will contest, a lost or destroyed will, a formal petition, a sale of real estate, unclear heirs, creditor disputes, or any estate where the personal representative is unsure how to account and close. Calhoun County's own formal-proceedings page identifies contested probate matters as hearing matters, and Sunset connects you to a vetted probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches for accounts, insurance, benefits, and other assets so families can start estate settlement with a clearer picture of what exists and what may need probate.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset helps turn the asset list, family information, and court requirements into an organized probate packet for the Calhoun County Probate Court.
Find a local probate attorney. When an estate needs formal filings, real-estate authority, contested-hearing support, or legal advice, Sunset connects families with a vetted local probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, find assets, prepare next steps, and understand the Calhoun County process without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Calhoun County, South Carolina?
File with the Calhoun County Probate Court at 902 F.R. Huff Drive, St. Matthews, SC 29135. Venue is governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-201, and the court's full-estate page says documents may be mailed or delivered in person.
Does Calhoun County require an appointment for probate matters?
Yes. The Calhoun County Probate Court states that appointments are required at this time. It also limits in-person visitors to a maximum of two visitors per party, with one preferred for estate matters.
Can I send Calhoun County probate documents electronically?
The Calhoun County Probate Court website does not publish an electronic filing system, attorney portal, email-filing channel, or drop-box channel. Its full-estate page says documents may be mailed or delivered in person.
What probate forms does Calhoun County publish?
Calhoun County republishes local downloads for Form 300ES for informal or formal probate, a sample completed Form 300ES, renunciation materials, Form 305ES, Form 120, inventory and appraisement, and deed of distribution materials. For a small-estate affidavit under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201, use the court's small-estates instructions and remember that the $45,000 threshold is effective May 8, 2025.
How much does it cost to open an estate in Calhoun County?
The value-based estate fee is governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770, current schedule effective April 4, 1995 and retroactive to August 15, 1994. Calhoun County's full-estate page also states a Form 300ES opening charge of $30.00, as published August 30, 2026, and a notice-to-creditors advertising charge of $30.00, as published August 30, 2026. The court accepts cash, checks, and money orders only.
Can I look up a Calhoun County probate case online?
Calhoun County publishes its own Public Probate Inquiry tool with case and party search options. The court's website says copies of estate files must be obtained by visiting the court in person.
How do remote appearances work in Calhoun County Probate Court?
No Calhoun County local remote-appearance practice is published. Under South Carolina's Remote Communication Technology order, as amended February 19, 2025, a probate judge may permit or require a non-criminal proceeding to use remote communication technology unless the judge finds that it would likely cause substantial prejudice or affect fairness. Ask the Calhoun County Probate Court how that rule applies to your hearing.
Do I have to travel to St. Matthews for Calhoun County probate?
Not for every step. The court's full-estate page says documents may be mailed or delivered in person, but in-person service is by appointment only. If a hearing is required, call the court at (803) 874-3514 for instructions before making travel plans.
What authority does a Calhoun County personal representative receive?
South Carolina law uses letters, including letters testamentary and letters of administration under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-1-201, and administration begins when the court issues letters under § 62-3-103. The practical authority document is the Certificate of Appointment, Form 141PC, and it must carry the raised seal of the probate court.
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.