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Sumter County, SC Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Sumter County Probate Court |
| Courthouse address | Sumter County Judicial Center, 215 North Harvin Street, Room 107, Sumter, SC 29150 |
| Mailing address | Same as the courthouse address |
| Phone | (803) 436-2166 |
| Fax | (803) 436-2407 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The court lists no lunch closure or filing cutoff. Call before traveling because the court's estate instructions require an appointment. |
| Estate fee | The estate filing fee is computed under S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770, whose current fee schedule dates to 1995 Act No. 15, effective April 4, 1995 and applied retroactively to August 15, 1994. Sumter's January 2026 full-estate instructions list $120.00 due at the opening appointment, with the newspaper notice cost included, and state that remaining probate fees are recalculated after the Inventory and Appraisement. |
| Local documents | Yes. Sumter lists a January 2026 full-estate instruction packet, a May 12, 2025 Small Estate Affidavit Checklist under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201, a blank Form 300ES for informal or formal appointment, a sample Form 300ES and Form 302ES. |
| Electronic filing | South Carolina's statewide electronic filing rules apply to Court of Common Pleas attorney users, not probate estate filings. Sumter's probate page lists no probate electronic filing system, attorney portal, email filing channel or drop box. |
| Probate lookup | The Sumter County Probate Court links a South Carolina Probate Search that lets you select Sumter County and search by case number or name. If a case does not appear, call the court. |
| Remote participation | Sumter lists no local remote-hearing practice. Under the Supreme Court order on Remote Communication Technology, as amended February 19, 2025, the probate judge decides whether a non-criminal proceeding may or must use remote communication technology, unless it would likely cause substantial prejudice or affect fairness. |
| Website | https://www.sumtercountysc.gov/departments/j_-_r/probate_court/index.php |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you call the Sumter County Probate Court, make a practical inventory of the decedent's accounts, vehicles, real estate, debts, funeral expenses and likely heirs or devisees. Sumter's own instructions tell you to complete the application or checklist first, gather the documents listed by the court, then call (803) 436-2166 for an appointment.
Estate settlement is easier when the asset picture is complete before the courthouse appointment. Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 institutions so families can find accounts, insurance, investments and other assets before choosing the right local path.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The Sumter County Probate Court serves estates from the city of Sumter, Mayesville, Pinewood, Shaw Air Force Base and the unincorporated parts of Sumter County. The court publishes one estate office, Room 107 at 215 North Harvin Street in Sumter.
Venue belongs in Sumter County when South Carolina's venue rule is satisfied under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-201, such as when the decedent was domiciled in Sumter County or, for a nonresident, when property in the estate is located there. Do not use the Third Judicial Circuit record search as the estate filing forum. Estates are opened with the Sumter County Probate Court.
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the local starting packet. For a full estate, use Sumter's full-estate instructions and complete Form 300ES, which is used for informal applications and formal petitions. For a small estate under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201, use Sumter's Small Estate Affidavit Checklist and bring the documents the checklist requests.
- Gather the documents before the appointment. Sumter's full-estate instructions ask for the original will if there is one, the completed Form 300ES, a death certificate, an obituary or funeral program, renunciations if needed and deeds for any real estate in the decedent's name. The court directs families to the Register of Deeds at 141 North Main Street for deed copies.
- Call (803) 436-2166 to schedule the appointment. The court says an appointment is necessary to begin the probate process, and its small-estate checklist says missing documents can require rescheduling.
- Attend the appointment at 215 North Harvin Street, Room 107, and pay the amount the court lists for the opening visit. The estate filing fee is governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770, effective under the current schedule from 1995 Act No. 15, effective April 4, 1995 and applied retroactively to August 15, 1994. Sumter's January 2026 instructions list $120.00 due at the opening appointment and say any balance is invoiced after the Inventory and Appraisement.
- If a creditor notice is required, the court's instructions say the Notice to Creditors is published in The Item every Wednesday for three consecutive weeks. The creditor-notice period is tied to S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-801.
- Ask about hearing scheduling or remote participation when you call. Sumter does not list a local remote-hearing rule. Under the statewide Remote Communication Technology order, as amended February 19, 2025, the probate judge controls whether remote participation is permitted or required in a non-criminal probate matter.
- After appointment, qualify and receive authority. South Carolina law 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 starts when letters issue. The document banks commonly ask for is the Certificate of Appointment, Form 141PC, with the probate court's raised seal.
- Administer and close the estate using the court's local follow-up instructions. Sumter says it gives the Information to Heirs and Devisees and the Inventory and Appraisement to the personal representative at the appointment, asks for Proof of Delivery with the delivered form attached, recalculates fees after the inventory, and asks the personal representative to call for a review appointment after the creditor period.
Executor duties
Sumter's local instructions add practical steps to the statewide personal representative duties. The court says the Information to Heirs and Devisees is given to the personal representative at the appointment and must be delivered to heirs and devisees within 30 days. The court also asks for the Proof of Delivery to be notarized and returned with a copy of the Information to Heirs and Devisees attached.
The court says the Inventory and Appraisement is also given at the appointment and must be returned within ninety days under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-706. Sumter's instructions also tell the personal representative to keep the court informed of address and contact changes, file an annual accounting on the appointment anniversary if the estate remains open beyond a year, and call for a review appointment after the creditor period ends.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Sumter County
Use Sumter's county documents together with the South Carolina Judicial Branch's statewide Probate Court form set. Sumter lists a full-estate instruction packet dated January 2026, a completed sample application, a blank Form 300ES for informal or formal probate or appointment, Form 302ES and a Small Estate Affidavit Checklist for S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201.
| Document | How Sumter uses it |
|---|---|
| Full-estate instruction packet | Explains what to bring, how to schedule the appointment, the opening payment listed in the court's January 2026 instructions and the court's follow-up steps after appointment. |
| Form 300ES | The statewide application or petition used for informal and formal probate or appointment. Sumter provides a blank copy and a sample copy. |
| Form 302ES | Used when a person with priority renounces the right to administration or nominates someone else. |
| Small Estate Affidavit Checklist | Sumter's May 12, 2025 checklist for S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201 asks for the death certificate, obituary or funeral program, paid funeral-home receipt, next-of-kin information and asset details needed for the affidavit. |
| Statewide probate form set | The current statewide form page is https://www.sccourts.org/court-forms/?courtType=PC. Use that address if an older Judiciary link on a county page does not open. |
Fees
The statutory estate filing fee is set by S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770, with the current fee schedule from 1995 Act No. 15, effective April 4, 1995 and applied retroactively to August 15, 1994. Sumter adds practical payment instructions in its own estate documents.
| Charge or payment point | Sumter detail |
|---|---|
| Opening appointment | Sumter's January 2026 full-estate instructions list $120.00 due at the appointment to open a full estate, with cash, check, credit card or money order accepted. The same instructions say the newspaper notice cost is included and that the court invoices any remaining probate fees after the Inventory and Appraisement. |
| Card payments | Sumter's January 2026 full-estate instructions and May 12, 2025 small-estate checklist for S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201 both list a 3 percent convenience fee for card payments. The full-estate instructions limit credit cards to Visa or Mastercard. |
| Small-estate payment | Sumter's May 12, 2025 checklist lists $25.00 to $67.50 for the small-estate payment under S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770 and § 62-3-1201, payable by cash, check, money order, debit card or credit card, with exact change requested for cash. |
| Notice amount | Sumter's instructions include the notice cost inside the opening amount but give two different standalone notice figures. Confirm the current total with the court when booking. |
Timeline
- Complete the correct local starting document first, either Sumter's full-estate packet and Form 300ES for informal or formal appointment, or the Small Estate Affidavit Checklist under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201.
- Call (803) 436-2166 to book the appointment. Sumter says an appointment is necessary to begin the probate process and that missing documents can require a new appointment.
- Bring the documents to Room 107 at the Sumter County Judicial Center and pay the amount due at the appointment.
- After approval, Sumter's instructions say the Notice to Creditors runs in The Item every Wednesday for three consecutive weeks, and the first Wednesday it appears starts the eight months period under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-801.
- After the court receives the Inventory and Appraisement, Sumter recalculates the probate fees and sends an invoice for any balance.
- After the creditor period ends, Sumter asks the personal representative to call (803) 436-2166 to schedule an appointment to review the estate.
- If the estate remains open beyond a year, Sumter's instructions call for an annual accounting on the anniversary of the appointment until the estate is ready to close.
Local nuance
Sumter County-specific considerations
| Local point | What to do |
|---|---|
| Appointments drive the process | Complete the application or checklist, gather the listed documents and call (803) 436-2166 before going to Room 107. Sumter says missing documents can mean rescheduling. |
| Two downtown buildings may matter | Estate appointments are at 215 North Harvin Street, Room 107. If the estate includes a house or land, Sumter's instructions direct you to get deed copies from the Register of Deeds at 141 North Main Street. |
| Probate lookup is separate from circuit records | Use the South Carolina Probate Search linked from the Sumter County Probate Court page and select Sumter. The county's Third Judicial Circuit Public Records Search is not the probate lookup described by the Probate Court page. |
| Notice runs in The Item | Sumter's instructions say the Notice to Creditors runs in The Item every Wednesday for three consecutive weeks, with the claim period tied to S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-801. |
| Associate probate judge | Sumter's court letterhead lists an associate probate judge as well as the Probate Judge. Do not rely on a particular judge being assigned to a particular estate. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed for Sumter families |
|---|---|
| May 12, 2025 checklist | Sumter's Small Estate Affidavit Checklist for S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201 is dated May 12, 2025 and uses the current South Carolina small-estate law after 2025 Act No. 26 (H. 3472), effective May 8, 2025. |
| January 2026 full-estate instructions | Sumter's full-estate instruction packet is dated January 2026 and explains the appointment requirement, the listed opening payment and the local notice-to-creditors practice in The Item. |
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Sumter path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by confirming how the home was titled and whether any probate asset also exists. If a deed copy is needed, Sumter's instructions point you to the Register of Deeds at 141 North Main Street, while the estate appointment is at Room 107 on North Harvin Street. | Sunset helps identify accounts and property before the appointment, organize deed and account information, and prepare the estate settlement packet for local review. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | Use Sumter's Small Estate Affidavit Checklist under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201, gather the death certificate, paid funeral-home receipt, next-of-kin information and asset details, then call (803) 436-2166 to ask what must be brought or mailed before traveling. | Sunset helps locate accounts, build the document list and connect the family with a vetted South Carolina probate attorney if local help is needed. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home in the decedent's name points to a full estate. Complete Sumter's full-estate packet and Form 300ES for informal or formal appointment, gather deed copies, and expect to work through the Probate Court before sale authority and distribution. | Sunset helps organize assets, debts, heirs and sale-related documents so estate settlement starts with a complete picture. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Sumter County Probate Court | The court says it cannot give legal advice about an estate but can provide basic procedural instructions. It lists the full-estate packet, sample application, small-estate checklist under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201 and appointment phone number. | 215 North Harvin Street, Room 107, Sumter, SC 29150. Phone: (803) 436-2166. Fax: (803) 436-2407. |
| South Carolina Probate Search linked by the court | Lets you select Sumter County and look up an estate by case number or by name. Call the court if a case does not appear. | https://www.southcarolinaprobate.net/search/default.aspx |
| South Carolina Judicial Branch probate form set | Provides the statewide numbered Probate Court forms, including Form 300ES for informal or formal probate and other estate forms. | https://www.sccourts.org/court-forms/?courtType=PC |
| South Carolina Judicial Branch self-help resources | Explains what court staff can and cannot do, including providing approved forms and available instructions and checking whether papers are complete. | https://www.sccourts.org/resources/general-public/self-help-resources/ |
| South Carolina Bar Lawyer Referral Service | The Bar's August 2026 page says participating lawyers charge no more than $50 for a 30-minute consultation and also says the participating 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
Sumter's own instructions recommend hiring an attorney if the estate is complex or if the personal representative needs legal advice. They also say the court does not provide generic Summons and Petition forms for certain heir-determination situations, so legal counsel may be important when real estate, litigation, unclear heirs, disputes or formal pleadings are involved. Sunset connects families to a vetted South Carolina probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families identify bank accounts, insurance, investments, retirement accounts and other property before the Sumter appointment, so estate settlement begins with a more complete asset picture.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information needed for South Carolina forms and Sumter's local checklist, including heirs, addresses, asset details, debts and documents the court asks you to bring.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Sumter estate involves a house sale, a dispute, unclear heirs, formal pleadings or questions the court cannot answer, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted South Carolina probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand the estate settlement path, prepare for the courthouse appointment and stay organized without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Sumter County?
File with the Sumter County Probate Court at 215 North Harvin Street, Room 107, Sumter, SC 29150. Call (803) 436-2166 first because the court's estate instructions require an appointment to begin the probate process.
Does Sumter County let me file a probate estate electronically?
Sumter's probate page lists no probate electronic filing system. South Carolina's statewide electronic filing rules are for the Court of Common Pleas and attorney users, not probate estate filings, so ask the Sumter County Probate Court how it wants your papers submitted.
What probate forms does Sumter County provide?
Sumter provides a full-estate instruction packet, a blank and sample Form 300ES for informal or formal appointment, Form 302ES and a Small Estate Affidavit Checklist under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201. The statewide form set is available from the South Carolina Judicial Branch.
How much do I pay to open an estate in Sumter County?
The estate filing fee is governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-770, with the current schedule from 1995 Act No. 15, effective April 4, 1995 and applied retroactively to August 15, 1994. Sumter's January 2026 instructions list $120.00 due at the opening appointment and say any remaining probate fees are recalculated after the Inventory and Appraisement.
Can I look up a Sumter County probate case online?
The Sumter County Probate Court links a South Carolina Probate Search where Sumter can be selected and a case can be searched by case number or name. If the case does not appear there, call the court at (803) 436-2166.
Can I attend a Sumter probate hearing by phone or video?
Sumter does not list a local remote-hearing practice. Under the statewide order on Remote Communication Technology, as amended February 19, 2025, the probate judge decides whether remote participation may or must be used in a non-criminal probate matter, unless it would likely cause substantial prejudice or affect fairness.
Do I need to travel to Sumter if I live out of state?
Possibly. Sumter's instructions require an appointment to begin a full estate or complete a small estate under S.C. Code Ann. § 62-3-1201, but the court also lists a mailing address. Call (803) 436-2166 before traveling to ask what can be handled before the appointment and what must be brought in person.
Where do I get deed copies for a Sumter estate with a house?
Sumter's full-estate instructions say deed copies can be obtained from the Register of Deeds, Room 202 in the old courthouse building at 141 North Main Street, or through the Register of Deeds website. The probate appointment itself is at Room 107 of the Sumter County Judicial Center on North Harvin Street.
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.