South Carolina has 46 counties and runs probate through Probate Courts in each. The state's coastal growth — Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head — combined with strong Greenville/Upstate appreciation has driven inherited-home values up sharply since 2020. The state adopted the South Carolina Probate Code (a UPC variant) in 1987.
South Carolina adopted the South Carolina Probate Code (Title 62) modeled on the UPC. Informal probate (SC Code section 62-3-301) clears in 8 to 12 months. The 8-month creditor period after publication (section 62-3-803) is the floor on closing. SC offers a Small Estate process (section 62-3-1201) for estates under $25,000.
South Carolina has no state estate tax. The state's coastal counties (Charleston, Horry/Myrtle Beach, Beaufort/Hilton Head) have median home values significantly above the state average ($290,000 statewide vs $550,000+ in Mount Pleasant, $600,000+ in Hilton Head). Inherited coastal SC homes often carry $300K-$1M+ equity positions.
South Carolina has Transfer-on-Death Deeds for some asset types but NOT for real property — the state has not adopted the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act for real estate. Real property transfers by will, intestate succession, joint tenancy with survivorship, or trust.
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Not every estate goes through it — it depends on how the home was titled, whether there's a will or trust, and South Carolina rules. We'll help you find out.
Start with probate →Selling isn't the only option. Talk through whether it makes sense for you and what you'd actually walk away with after costs and the stepped-up basis.
Explore selling →Renting, holding, or renovating could be worth it. See what the numbers look like in your specific market before deciding.
Look at keeping it →Before you sell, rent, or move in, understand the home's real condition — and what fixing it up would actually take locally.
Check repairs →Informal probate typically clears in 8 to 12 months. The 8-month creditor period under section 62-3-803 is the floor.
No. South Carolina has NOT adopted the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act for real estate.
Charleston, Horry (Myrtle Beach), and Beaufort (Hilton Head) counties have the highest inherited-home equity in the state. Greenville and Richland (Columbia) dominate upstate and midlands volume.
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