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Kershaw County, SC Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Kershaw County Probate Court |
| Courthouse address | 1121 Broad Street, Room 225, Camden, SC 29020 |
| Mailing address | 1121 Broad Street, Room 225, Camden, SC 29020 |
| Phone | (803) 425-1503 |
| Fax | (803) 425-1526 |
| [email protected] | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The court publishes no lunch closure or daily cutoff. |
| Estate cost | The estate filing fee is set by S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770, with current text effective April 4, 1995 and applied retroactively to August 15, 1994. Kershaw asks for a nonrefundable $25.00 check or money order when the intake packet is submitted, as published August 30, 2026 with no effective date printed, and determines additional court costs after the Inventory and Appraisement is filed. |
| Local forms | Yes. Kershaw publishes an Estate Intake Packet, Probate Process Brochure, Pro Se Formal Action Checklist, Informal Estate Filing Checklist for Attorneys, Reopening Worksheet, Private Agreement, Affidavit of Personal Representative and local Family Tree, Form #303KC. |
| Online filing | Kershaw County probate pages publish no probate electronic filing option. South Carolina statewide electronic filing rules apply to Court of Common Pleas attorney users, not to probate filings. |
| Estate search | Kershaw publishes an online Estate Index at http://www.southcarolinaprobate.net/search/ for estate status from 1980 to present. Estate documents are not viewable online. |
| Remote appearance | Local practice is not published. Under the Supreme Court order on Remote Communication Technology, as amended February 19, 2025, the probate judge may permit or require remote participation in a non-criminal proceeding unless it would likely cause substantial prejudice or affect fairness. Ask the court how it applies the order. |
| Website | https://www.kershaw.sc.gov/government/departments-h-q/probate-court |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you hand in Kershaw County's Estate Intake Packet, gather the asset and debt information the court asks for: bank statements, stock or bond information, retirement account information, titles, deeds, funeral bill, obituary or funeral program, and values for vehicles, mobile homes, boats and other titled property.
Sunset can help with that front-end estate settlement work by searching more than 2,300 institutions for accounts and assets before you prepare the local packet, so the worksheet you drop off in Camden is more complete.
Which court handles jurisdiction
File Kershaw County estate matters with the Kershaw County Probate Court at 1121 Broad Street, Room 225, in Camden. Camden is the county seat; Kershaw County's municipalities include Camden, Elgin and Bethune, and the county plan also identifies Lugoff and Boykin as Census Designated Places.
The court's own intake worksheet asks whether the decedent was a Kershaw County resident at death and tells families to contact the county of residence if the answer is no. South Carolina venue for probate is governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-201.
Do not confuse Kershaw County with the Town of Kershaw, which is not the county seat. For Kershaw County probate, the courthouse city is Camden.
The jurisdiction process
- Get the Estate Intake Packet from the Kershaw County Probate Court website, from the Probate Court office at 1121 Broad Street, Room 225, or from the right side of the security desk at the Kershaw County Government Center, 515 Walnut Street, Camden.
- Complete the worksheet, the Family Tree, Form #303KC, and the opening checklist. Attach the original death certificate, the original will if one exists, the funeral bill, obituary or funeral program, deeds, vehicle or boat titles, value printouts, account statements and the other documents the packet asks for.
- Mail the completed packet to 1121 Broad Street, Room 225, Camden, SC 29020, or drop it off at the court. Kershaw says no appointment is needed to drop off the packet and that drop-off is encouraged.
- Include the court's $25.00 nonrefundable opening amount, as published August 30, 2026 with no effective date printed, by check or money order payable to the Kershaw County Probate Court. The estate filing fee and later court costs are governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770, with current text effective April 4, 1995 and applied retroactively to August 15, 1994.
- Wait for the assigned estate clerk to contact you. Kershaw says an estate clerk will contact you within 15 business days after receiving the completed packet and asks families not to call for an update inside that window.
- At the initial scheduled meeting with the assigned estate clerk, the estate packet, including Form 300ES for informal application or formal petition, is completed. If a formal action is required, Kershaw publishes a separate Pro Se Formal Action Checklist and states that the formal $150.00 fee is not refunded, as published August 30, 2026 with no effective date printed.
- If notice to creditors is required, Kershaw instructs attorneys opening an informal estate to include a separate $130.00 payment to The Chronicle Independent, as published August 30, 2026 with no effective date printed. Advertising costs are additional to court costs under S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770(D), with current text effective April 4, 1995 and applied retroactively to August 15, 1994.
- After appointment and qualification, the personal representative uses the authority document South Carolina calls letters, including letters testamentary or letters of administration under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-1-201. The court-issued document banks usually ask to see is the Certificate of Appointment, Form 141PC, with the probate court's raised seal.
- Administer the estate, file the Inventory and Appraisement when due under statewide law, and pay the value-based court costs after Kershaw determines them from that filing. Kershaw's brochure states that court costs are determined and due once the Inventory and Appraisement is filed.
- Close the estate through the South Carolina forms that fit the case, or use Kershaw's local Reopening Worksheet if a closed estate later needs reopening. Kershaw says an estate clerk will contact the family within 10 business days after receiving a completed Reopening Worksheet.
Executor duties
Kershaw publishes a local Affidavit of Personal Representative and lists it as an item needed to open an informal estate. The affidavit asks the personal representative to acknowledge practical duties before the estate opens, including keeping the court informed of any change of address, phone number or email address, using estate money only for estate debts and obligations, depositing the decedent's money into an estate account, and resolving estate debts before distributions.
The same Kershaw affidavit also warns that the personal representative may not use estate assets for personal debts or for an heir's or devisee's debts, may not sell higher-value tangible personal property without authority in the will or a court order, may not sell real property without authority in the will or a court order, and may be personally liable for negligence or intentional misconduct in performing the role.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Kershaw County
Kershaw uses the statewide South Carolina Probate Court form set at https://www.sccourts.org/court-forms/?courtType=PC. Kershaw's own Pro Se Formal Action Checklist points readers to that statewide form set. Form 300ES is the South Carolina form for informal application or formal petition, and Form 420ES is tied to collection of personal property under S.C. Code Ann. §§ 62-3-1201 and 62-3-1202.
| Form or packet | How Kershaw uses it |
|---|---|
| Estate Intake Packet | The packet Kershaw tells families to complete first. It includes a worksheet, an opening checklist and the Family Tree. |
| Family Tree, Form #303KC (4/2025) | Kershaw's local numbered family tree form. It tells families to list relatives even if there has been no contact, incarceration, disagreement or lack of acknowledgment. |
| Probate Process Brochure | Kershaw's local brochure, dated April 2025, describing the court's opening, administration and closing sequence. |
| Affidavit of Personal Representative | Kershaw's local acknowledgement of personal representative duties, listed on the attorney informal estate checklist. |
| Informal Estate Filing Checklist for Attorneys | Kershaw's attorney checklist for opening an informal estate, including the court's local payment instructions. |
| Pro Se Formal Action Checklist | Kershaw's checklist for a self-represented formal action, including the summons, petition, certified death certificate, identification and service steps. |
| Reopening Worksheet | Kershaw's local worksheet for reopening a closed estate. The court says an estate clerk contacts the family within 10 business days after receipt. |
| Private Agreement | Kershaw's local form for agreements among heirs or devisees under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-912. |
Fees
Kershaw publishes local probate charges in addition to the statewide value-based estate filing fee under S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770, whose current text is effective April 4, 1995 and applied retroactively to August 15, 1994. The court's fee page does not print its own effective date, so confirm current amounts with the court before preparing checks.
| Charge | Kershaw published amount |
|---|---|
| Opening amount with Estate Intake Packet | $25.00, payable to the Kershaw County Probate Court, as published August 30, 2026 with no effective date printed. |
| Notice to creditors publication | $130.00, payable to The Chronicle Independent, as published August 30, 2026 with no effective date printed. Advertising costs are additional under S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770(D), effective April 4, 1995 and retroactive to August 15, 1994. |
| Will-only filing and publication | $10.00 plus $79.53 publication charge, as published August 30, 2026 with no effective date printed. The $10.00 will-filing amount appears in S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770(C)(9), effective April 4, 1995 and retroactive to August 15, 1994. |
| Copies | $0.50 per page, as published August 30, 2026 with no effective date printed. |
| Certified copies | $5.00 plus $0.50 per page, as published August 30, 2026 with no effective date printed. |
| Research fee | $5.00, as published August 30, 2026 with no effective date printed. |
| Formal summons and complaint or petition | $150.00 for a formal action, as published August 30, 2026 with no effective date printed. |
| Petition to sell real estate in aid of assets | $150.00, as published August 30, 2026 with no effective date printed. |
Timeline
- Submit the completed Estate Intake Packet by mail or drop-off. Kershaw says you do not need an appointment to drop off the packet.
- After the completed packet is received, an estate clerk contacts the family within 15 business days. Kershaw asks families not to call for an update during those 15 business days.
- The Application for Probate, Form 300ES for informal application or formal petition, is completed at the initial scheduled meeting with the assigned estate clerk.
- After the Inventory and Appraisement is filed, Kershaw determines the court costs and they become due. The statewide inventory timing is governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-706.
- For a formal action, Kershaw's Pro Se Formal Action Checklist says the petitioner is responsible for serving all interested parties with clocked copies within 120 days of filing and then filing proof of service.
- For a reopening, Kershaw says an estate clerk will contact the family within 10 business days after receiving a completed Reopening Worksheet.
Local nuance
Kershaw County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means |
|---|---|
| Packet first, appointment after | Kershaw tells families to complete only the Estate Intake Packet to begin. An estate clerk contacts the family after the packet is received. |
| Two Camden buildings | Estate filings go to the Kershaw County Courthouse at 1121 Broad Street, Room 225. The packet can also be picked up at the security desk area of the Kershaw County Government Center, 515 Walnut Street, where workshops are held. |
| Courthouse access instruction | The court's Estates page states that purses are not allowed in the courthouse. Do not assume any other security, parking or bag rule unless the court confirms it. |
| Online Estate Index | Kershaw's Estate Index shows estate status for filings from 1980 to present, but the court states that actual estate documents are not viewable online. |
| Probate Process Workshop | The court currently lists a free workshop on Friday, October 16, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Government Center, Room 100, with pre-registration preferred. Confirm before traveling. |
| Published staffing | The court publishes an elected Probate Judge, two associate judges and estate clerks. Staff names are not needed to open an estate, and the office contact is (803) 425-1503 or [email protected]. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed locally |
|---|---|
| April 2025 brochure | Kershaw's Probate Process Brochure is dated April 2025 and explains the packet, clerk assignment and estate administration sequence. |
| Form #303KC (4/2025) | Kershaw's local Family Tree form carries a 4/2025 revision date. |
| Upcoming workshop | Kershaw currently lists a Probate Process Workshop for Friday, October 16, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Kershaw County Government Center, Room 100, with pre-registration preferred. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Kershaw path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start with the Estate Intake Packet and attach deeds and any available account statements. Kershaw's brochure says an attorney will need to assist with a Deed of Distribution for real property, and Kershaw publishes a Private Agreement form for heirs or devisees who agree to alter shares under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-912. | Sunset helps identify accounts, insurance payable to the estate, retirement assets and title information before the packet is dropped off, keeping estate settlement organized around the house and the spouse's practical needs. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201 | Use Kershaw's packet-first process and ask the court about signing and mailing logistics. Kershaw's attorney checklist names an Appointment of Agent for Service of Process for an out-of-state personal representative when that document is needed. The statewide collection affidavit threshold is $45,000, effective May 8, 2025 under 2025 Act No. 26 (H. 3472), and the affidavit is under S.C. Code Ann. §§ 62-3-1201 and 62-3-1202. | Sunset can help find the accounts and statements needed for the worksheet, then help assemble a packet for review before you mail or drop it off in Camden. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | Use the Estate Intake Packet, attach deeds and title information, and expect lawyer involvement. Kershaw's documents point families to an attorney for formal actions, heir searches that go past grandparents, deaths more than ten years ago under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-108, and deeds of distribution. Kershaw also publishes a $150.00 Petition to Sell Real Estate in Aid of Assets charge, as published August 30, 2026 with no effective date printed. | Sunset helps map assets and debts, organize the family tree and documents, and connect the family with a vetted South Carolina probate attorney when a sale, formal filing or heir issue makes counsel important. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Kershaw County Probate Court | Provides the Estate Intake Packet, Probate Process Brochure, local checklists, Reopening Worksheet, Private Agreement, Affidavit of Personal Representative and a free Probate Process Workshop. Staff can accept filings and check completeness, but the court states that staff cannot give legal advice, help complete documents or recommend an attorney. | 1121 Broad Street, Room 225, Camden, SC 29020; (803) 425-1503; [email protected] |
| Kershaw County Estate Index | Lets you check estate status for Kershaw County estates filed from 1980 to present. The court states that estate documents are not viewable online. | http://www.southcarolinaprobate.net/search/ |
| South Carolina Judicial Branch probate form set | Hosts the numbered statewide probate forms that Kershaw references, including Form 300ES for informal application or formal petition and Form 420ES under S.C. Code Ann. §§ 62-3-1201 and 62-3-1202. | 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 make sure papers are complete, but cannot tell you what to say or give legal advice. | https://www.sccourts.org/resources/general-public/self-help-resources/ |
| South Carolina Bar Lawyer Referral Service | Connects callers with a lawyer. The Bar states that participating lawyers charge no more than $50.00 for a 30-minute consultation, as stated August 30, 2026 with no effective date printed, and that 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 available 24/7 |
| Center for Heirs' Property Preservation | Kershaw links this organization from its Estates page. Its home page states that it serves families across South Carolina and East Texas with legal services, forestry support and education. Confirm eligibility directly. | https://www.heirsproperty.org/ |
When to hire an attorney
The Kershaw County Probate Court's own documents point families toward a lawyer for several situations: a formal action, an heir search that must go back to grandparents or great-grandparents, a deed of distribution for real property, and a death more than ten years ago under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-108. The court also states that probate staff may suggest at the opening appointment that an estate should be handled by an attorney. Sunset connects families with a vetted South Carolina probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches for bank, brokerage, insurance, retirement and other accounts so the Kershaw Estate Intake Packet can be prepared with fewer gaps. That is especially useful because Kershaw asks families to bring account statements, title information and asset values before the first clerk meeting.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset helps organize the facts, family information and documents needed for estate settlement, then turns them into a cleaner packet for local review. You still file with the Kershaw County Probate Court, but you do not have to start from a blank worksheet.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate involves a formal action, real property, a difficult heir search, a sale of a home or a dispute, Sunset can help you connect with a vetted South Carolina probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate, identify accounts and prepare for the next filing step without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Kershaw County?
File with the Kershaw County Probate Court at 1121 Broad Street, Room 225, Camden, SC 29020. The court uses the same address for mail and in-person drop-off.
Do I need an appointment to start a Kershaw County estate?
Kershaw says you do not need an appointment to drop off the Estate Intake Packet. After the completed packet is received, an estate clerk contacts you within 15 business days and schedules the initial meeting.
Can I file a Kershaw County probate case online?
Kershaw County probate pages publish no probate electronic filing option. South Carolina statewide electronic filing rules are for Court of Common Pleas attorney users, not probate filings, so use the Kershaw County Probate Court's mail or drop-off instructions unless the court tells you otherwise.
How do I look up a Kershaw County estate?
Use Kershaw's Estate Index at http://www.southcarolinaprobate.net/search/. The court says the index shows the status of estates filed from 1980 to present, but actual estate documents are not viewable online.
What does it cost to open an estate in Kershaw County?
The estate filing fee is governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770, with current text effective April 4, 1995 and applied retroactively to August 15, 1994. Kershaw asks for $25.00 with the opening packet, as published August 30, 2026 with no effective date printed, and later determines court costs after the Inventory and Appraisement is filed.
Does Kershaw County have local probate forms?
Yes. Kershaw publishes an Estate Intake Packet, Family Tree Form #303KC, Probate Process Brochure, Affidavit of Personal Representative, local checklists, a Reopening Worksheet and a Private Agreement, in addition to the statewide South Carolina forms.
Can I attend a Kershaw County probate hearing remotely?
Kershaw does not publish a local remote-hearing practice. Under the statewide Remote Communication Technology order, as amended February 19, 2025, the probate judge may permit or require remote participation in a non-criminal proceeding unless it would likely cause substantial prejudice or affect fairness. Call the court to ask how it applies the order in your case.
Do I have to travel to Camden to begin?
Not necessarily. Kershaw says the completed Estate Intake Packet may be mailed or dropped off, although the court highly encourages drop-off. The later initial meeting is scheduled after an estate clerk reviews the completed packet.
Does Kershaw County offer a probate workshop?
Yes. The court currently lists a free Probate Process Workshop for Friday, October 16, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Kershaw County Government Center, 515 Walnut Street, Room 100, with pre-registration preferred. Confirm with the court before traveling.
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.