GREENVILLE PROBATE
Am I required to file for probate? A Greenville Probate is required if the deceased (called the decedent) was a permanent resident of Greenville County and there are assets that need to be distributed to the heirs. Probate action may also be required if the deceased was a non-resident of South Carolina holding real estate in the county or had a right to take legal action in the county. An ancillary probate is required if the decedent lives in another South Carolina county and has real property in Greenville County.
To start the probate action, if the decedent had a will (testate), within 30 days from date of death, the person nominated to be the executor or any party in possession of the Last Will and Testament should submit the original will, a certified copy of death certificate if available, and a $25 filing fee to the Probate Court. IF less than one year has passed since the date of death, there is also a $46.00 charge for publication of the creditor's notice. The party named to be the Personal Representative may elect to retain a South Carolina probate lawyer to represent the estate and start the application for them to be appointed as the Personal Representative (executor) of the estate. A clerk will be assigned to the probate case and will work with the Personal Representative or the South Carolina estate attorney on the necessary paperwork and notices that are required. If the decedent did not have a will (intestate), then there is a list set by statute of the party with priority to be appointed as the Personal Representative, starting with the surviving spouse.
Compared to many other states, the probate process in South Carolina is relatively simple, especially if there is a Last Will and Testament. The person appointed as the Personal Representative can often handle to process without the assistance of a South Carolina probate lawyer. However, if the Personal Representative resides out of state, they will need someone living is South Carolina to assist them and usually that should be an attorney. For probate actions like a will contest, determination of common law spouse, sale of real estate, determination of heirs and similar issues, it is advisable to retain an attorney. Since the attorney fee is normally an estate expense, the cost to retain an estate attorney will usually be equally shared by all of the heirs of the estate.
Contact the Greenville Probate Court
Note that this site is a private commercial website and not associated with any governmental agency. Below is the information on how to directly contact the Greenville Probate Court.
The court is located at 301 University Ridge in Greenville, South Carolina 29601, in the new administration building. You have to park in the garage off of Church Street, go to the fourth level and walk over to the second building. Once inside, go left, take the elevator down to Level T, and follow the signs.
The phone number for the Greenville Estate Division is 864.467.7497.
The phone number for the Greenville Conservatorship/Guardianship Division is 864.467.7404.
Greenville County Probate Court Website
Personal Representative or Executor
A person appointed to handle an estate used to be called an Executor/Executrix or Administrator/Administratrix. Today the person appointed to handle an estate is called the Personal Representative or PR for short. However, most people, including most probate attorneys, still use the executor designation.
A person is not the executor of an estate until legally appointed by the Greenville probate court, even if they are nominated in the will. Usually,
the Personal Representative (Executor) is named in the will by the deceased and that person will normally be appointed by the probate court provided that they qualify and agree to serve.
However, the right to be appointed can result through the will, by law, by
renunciation, or by termination. Any person with rights to the PR may decline and nominate
another. If a formal proceeding is required, following service of the formal
Summons and Petition, a hearing will be scheduled to determine who is the
appropriate person to be appointed as the PR to administer the estate. If you are involved in a formal proceeding, you should consult with a Greenville probate lawyer since this a a lawsuit with permanent results that could damage your rights to inherit from the estate.
The Personal Representative is responsible for taking charge of and collecting, protecting and administering the estate. This includes giving Notice to all interested parties, filing an Inventory of the estate, making sure assets are secure during probate time, paying required claims and costs, and making sure the proper people get what they are entitled to receive.The Personal Representative is the one that decides for the estate whether or not it is necessary to retain a probate attorney to assist them in the process.
Personal Representative Checklist
Greenville Probate Lawyers
Wayne Patterson
South Carolina Estate Planning Attorney
10 Century Dr. Suite B
Greenville, SC 29607
864-270-7973
Sage Law
Free Consultation
South Carolina Probate Statutes
SEARCH GREENVILLE PROBATE COURT RECORDS
South Carolina Senior Citizen's Handbook A Guide to Laws and Programs Affecting Senior Citizens
Do I Need a South Carolina Probate Lawyer
In most cases you will not need an attorney to assist you as the personal representative if you live in South Carolina and there are minimal assets in the estate. Simply call the probate court and schedule an appointment. Take with you an original of the death certificate, original of the Will if there is one, the contact information for all beneficiaries listed in the decedent's Last Will and Testament and the contact information for all the decedent's intestate heirs even if not listed in the Will. While the Greenville County probate clerk can assist you with the probate forms, the Court cannot provide you with any legal advice. If you live out of state, you will need to appoint an agent in South Carolina and usually that should be an attorney.
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