Richland County Probate Court: What Families Need to Know

If you’ve inherited a home in Richland County — or you’re an executor responsible for selling one — the probate court is where the legal process starts. Here’s a plain-language overview of how it works and what to expect.

Where the Court Is Located

Richland County Judicial Center 1701 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 207 Columbia, SC 29201

Mailing address: P.O. Box 288, Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 576-1961 Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Website: richlandcountysc.gov/probate

The Richland County Probate Court administers decedents’ estates, appoints personal representatives (executors), and hears estate-related disputes, in addition to handling marriage licenses and guardianships.

What the Probate Court Handles for a Deceased Person’s Estate

  • Admitting a valid will and appointing the personal representative (executor)
  • Appointing an administrator when there is no will
  • Overseeing the inventory and appraisal of estate assets, including real estate
  • Resolving disputes among heirs or creditors
  • Closing the estate once debts are paid and assets are distributed

How to Start the Process: Admitting a Will to Probate

To open an estate in Richland County when there is a will, you’ll typically need:

  1. Application to Probate a Will (Form 300ES)
  2. Filing fee — $10 for an informal application, payable by check or money order to the Richland County Treasurer
  3. A certified copy of the death certificate
  4. The original Last Will and Testament
  5. A funeral home program or copy of the newspaper obituary

Once the judge admits the will to probate, the personal representative must send an Information to Heirs and Devisees notice to everyone named in the will, then file proof that notice was delivered.

If the will isn’t the original, or the interested parties don’t agree on who should serve as personal representative, the estate has to go through a formal proceeding instead of the simpler informal process — this typically takes longer and may involve a hearing.

Typical Timeline

Most straightforward Richland County estates move through probate in roughly 6 to 12 months, though simple estates with no disputes can close faster and complex or contested estates can take considerably longer. Selling real estate during this window is common — you generally don’t have to wait until probate fully closes to list and sell an inherited home, but the personal representative needs proper court authority to sign on the estate’s behalf.

Selling an Inherited Home During Richland County Probate

This is where most families need help that goes beyond the court process itself:

  • Getting the personal representative properly authorized to sign a listing agreement and sale contract
  • Valuing the property accurately for both the estate inventory and the actual sale
  • Coordinating repairs, cleanouts, and showings — often while living out of state or managing a full-time job
  • Working alongside the estate attorney so the sale timeline lines up with the legal process, not against it

This is exactly where a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist (CPRES) works alongside your attorney — the attorney handles the legal filings, and the real estate side (valuation, marketing, sale, closing coordination) runs in parallel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to go through probate to sell an inherited house in Richland County?

In most cases, yes — if the home was solely in the deceased person’s name, the estate generally needs to go through probate before the personal representative has legal authority to sell it. Some smaller estates may qualify for simplified procedures; an attorney can confirm which applies.

How much does it cost to file for probate in Richland County?

The initial filing fee to admit a will is $10. Additional costs (attorney fees, appraisal fees, newspaper publication, etc.) vary by estate and are separate from the court filing fee itself.

Can I sell the house before probate is finished?

Often yes, once the personal representative has been formally appointed by the court and has legal authority to act on the estate’s behalf. The sale doesn’t have to wait for the estate to fully close.

Who do I contact with questions about a specific estate?

The Richland County Probate Court can answer procedural questions at (803) 576-1961, but court staff cannot give legal advice — that’s the role of your estate attorney.

Talk to Someone Who Handles This Regularly

Delaney Morgan is a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist (CPRES) who has guided more than 100 Midlands families through the sale of an inherited home. If you’re navigating Richland County probate and need to understand your options for the property, reach out.

Schedule a Free Consultation · Call (803) 530-9272

This page is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed South Carolina probate attorney for guidance specific to your estate.