Charleston County Probate Judge
Probate Court offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm and virtually 24/7. For marriage license questions, please call 843-958-5183. To apply for a marriage license, click here. For Estate Administration questions, please call 843-958-5030. For questions regarding Conservatorships/Guardianships, Involuntary Commitment and our problem-solving courts, please call 843-958-5180. We are also here to assist you through our online services. Documents can also be delivered by using drop boxes located outside our offices located at 84 Broad Street, 3rd Floor, and 100 Broad Street, Suite 469.
Judge Irv Condon has implemented electronic filing, called "EZ-Filing." For more information, read Administrative Order, Rules and EZ-Filing Instructions. To EZ-file a document in any case, click here. You are able to view all images on each case for which you create an EZ-Filing account, which enables you to easily keep up with the activities of the case.
Please note the Probate Estate Division Office, in the Historic Courthouse Building at 84 Broad, is temporarily relocating to the Blake Tenement Building at 10 Court House Square, Third Floor, Charleston, SC 29401. Commitment, Adult Guardianship and Conservatorship, and Marriage Divisions remain in Suite 469 of 100 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401. The Court’s mailing address is still the same ~ 84 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401.
The Probate Court assists the citizens of Charleston County in probating estates, resolving disputes in estates and trusts, handling involuntary commitments for alcohol/drug abuse and/or mental illness, obtaining marriage licenses, appointing and supervising guardians and conservators, and approving minor and wrongful death settlements. Probate Court includes the Estate, Commitment and Marriage Divisions. The Probate Judge is elected countywide and serves a four-year term.
The mission of the Charleston County Probate Court, provided the sensitive nature of the matters we handle, is to deliver essential services that protect and uphold the best interest of the individuals whose lives we impact. We strive to serve the citizens of our community with compassion, integrity, dedication, professionalism, and efficiency.
The Probate Court has jurisdiction over Marriage Licenses, Estates of Deceased Persons, Guardianships and Conservatorships of Incapacitated Persons, Settlements for Minors and Wrongful Deaths, and Involuntary Commitments of Mentally Ill and/or Chemically Dependent Persons.
To address community issues, Judge Condon has implemented a Mental Health Court, an Adult and Juvenile Drug Court Program, and a Veterans Treatment Program. Judge Condon has partnered with the Charleston School of Law to assist seniors in our community.
The forerunner to the Probate Court was the Court of the Ordinary. The founding of the Colony in 1670 led to the creation of the original Probate Court. In the court's early days, the Royal Governors or their secretaries were the only Ordinaries in the province. Beginning in 1778, the S.C. Commons House of Assembly was to appoint Ordinaries for each of the province's seven court districts; however, due to the presence of British forces in South Carolina, no District Ordinaries were appointed until 1782. When the last Royal Governor fled after the adoption of the Federal Constitution on June 21, 1788, the General Assembly appointed an Ordinary to fulfill the duties of the office in Charleston District.
In 1787, duties of the District Ordinaries were transferred to county courts; but because Charleston District had no county court, a 1789 law directed the Ordinary to continue. County courts were abolished in 1799. Within the year, the S.C. General Assembly created 24 circuit court districts whose Ordinaries they appointed until 1815 when they became elected.
The S.C. Constitution of 1868 replaced the Court of the Ordinary with the Probate Court. Changes to the S.C. Constitution in 1895 required the Probate Court to be dependent on the General Assembly for funding and legal procedures. This was so in all counties except Charleston where it remained a constitutional court until 1962.
Unlike other judges in South Carolina, the probate judge is selected by popular election to a four-year term.
Accountings - Reports that contain the annual and final fiscal reports showing receipts and disbursements with date and purpose.
Estate Papers - The original probate papers such as wills, inventories, letters, accountings and related papers.
Probate - The legal process of wrapping up a person's affairs, paying their bills and distributing their assets.
Testator - A person who has made a legally valid will before death.
Will Books - Recorded transcripts of the original probate wills that give information about proving the will and qualifying the personal representative.
Judge Irvin G. Condon, Probate Judge
Judge Lenna S. Kirchner, Associate Probate Judge
Judge Peter A. Kouten, Associate Probate Judge
Judge David Michel, Associate Probate Judge
Judge Sydney M. Fowler, Associate Probate Judge
Commitment & Guardianship Division
Judicial Center
100 Broad Street, Suite 469
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843)958-5180
Fax: (843)958-5191
Estate Division
Historic Courthouse
84 Broad Street, Third Floor
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843)958-5030
Fax: (843)958-5044
Marriage License Division
Judicial Center
100 Broad Street, Suite 469
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843)958-5183
Fax: (843)958-5191
Commitment, Guardianship/Conservatorship & Estate Divisions
Mon. - Fri. 8:30am - 5pm
Marriage License Division
Mon. - Fri. 8:30am - 5:00pm
Judges' Law Clerks
Historic Courthouse
84 Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: 843-958-5012
Phone: 843-958-5194
Phone: 843-958-5045
Adult Drug Court
Judicial Center
100 Broad Street, Suite 469
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843)958-5189
Juvenile Drug Court
Judicial Center
100 Broad Street, Suite 469
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843)958-5185
Mental Health Court
Judicial Center
100 Broad Street, Suite 469
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843)958-5185
Veterans Treatment Court
Judicial Center
100 Broad Street, Suite 469
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843)958-5186
City of Charleston
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