Probate Court Office
Mission Statement
The Laurens County Probate Court is a County Service Agency that:
For its public, offers quality and reliable assistance and services.
For its Litigants and Attorneys, ensures the each person and attorney appearing before the court receives fair, impartial, and judicious treatment and consideration.
For its employees, provides a pleasant work environment with teamwork to empower them to accomplish the goals of the Probate Court.
Responsibilities
- Provide support for family members/attorneys to handle deceased person’s affairs
- Provide assistance in the involuntary commitment of individuals for alcohol/drug problems and/or mental illness
- Issue marriage licenses and certified copies of marriage licenses
- Appoint and supervise conservators and guardians
- Approve minor settlements and wrongful death settlements
The Honorable Kaye W. Fridy
Probate Judge
Judge Kaye W. Fridy was born in Union, South Carolina. Judge Fridy attended public schools in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, and graduated from Woodruff High School in 1975. She graduated from Spartanburg Technical College in 1976. Judge Fridy accepted a position with the Laurens County Probate Court in October, 1976 and was appointed as Deputy in 1984. Judge Fridy took her oath of office as Laurens County Probate Judge, Eighth Judicial Circuit, on June 28, 1993 and has served continuously since.
The Honorable Bryan C. Able
Associate Probate Judge
We are happy to help you if we can. However, we are allowed to help only in ways that are fair to everyone.
We are prohibited from giving legal advice.
Estate Administration
Oversees the administration of estates in Laurens County. Probate Administration is necessary to transfer assets from the Decedent to the proper heirs or beneficiaries.
Estate records contain information filed by the executor of the decedent’s estate. The estate records are filed in Probate Court. Records are used for genealogy research, title-searching property, and for other legal matters. These records are open to the public.
Marriage License
*** NOTICE***
Effective July 1, 2018
Marriage License Fees have changed
**CASH ONLY**
If one or both parties reside in Laurens County …………………………………………………………….$45.00
If one or both parties reside in SC ……………………………………………………………………………….$65.00
If neither party resides in SC ………………………………………………………………………………………$75.00
Parties may apply for marriage license in Probate Court between the hours of 9:00 am – 4:30 pm, Monday- Friday. You may pick up your license until 5:00 p.m.
Each applicant must appear together and in person to apply for a marriage license.
If you are over the age of eighteen (18), you must bring two (2) forms of identification.
- Social Security Card – May use another legal document containing their Social Security number, such as income tax record.
• In the absence of Social Security card a Fiancé (K-1) Visa along with one other form of identification proving age and identity (birth certificate)
• Resident aliens who do not have a Social Security card will be required to present their resident alien card or a statement from the Social Security Office that you do not qualify for a Social Security number.
2. Second form of identification may be one of the following:
• Driver’s License, or state issued identification card
• Military Identification
• Passport with a current visa attached
Other
Certified Copy of Marriage License $5.00
Reprint of Marriage License $6.75
Protective Proceedings
How do I know if I need to establish a guardianship or conservatorship?
If you know someone who, because of a disability, can no longer manage their money or make decisions about their personal or medical care, that person may need a court-appointed Guardian or Conservator.
In the case of a minor, a Conservator must be appointed in certain cases when the minor is entitled to receive a sum of money from an insurance settlement, inheritance, etc.
RELEVANT STATE CODES
- South Carolina Code of Laws – Protective Proceedings
- Adult Health Care Consent Act
- Uniform Gifts To Minors Act
- Protection Of Persons Under Disability And Their Property – (See Section 62-5-433)
- Trust Administration
The probate court is prohibited from giving legal advice
Involuntary Commitment
If an individual is suffering from a mental illness or a chemical dependency and is currently a danger to themselves or someone else, emergency commitment procedures should be followed to ensure that they receive the assistance and treatment that they need.
Emergency Commitments – Detention Orders
You must go to the Laurens Mental Health Center, FIRST, before visiting Probate Court.
The LMHC phone number is 864-938-0912.
(This number is also for after-hours contact.)
Laurens Mental Health Center
442 Professional Park Road
Clinton, SC 29325
Directions
If you have a family member or friend that you believe requires immediate treatment for either a mental illness or chemical dependency, you may go to the Laurens Mental Health Center and request an Emergency Commitment, also known as a Detention Order.
Based on the information provided to the Mental Health Professional, the Detention Order request may or may not be forwarded to the Probate Court for approval. If approved, the Probate Court will issue a Detention Order and law enforcement will be dispatched to locate and detain the individual. The individual will be transported to the emergency room for examination. If, in the opinion of the mental health professionals, the individual meets the requirements for an emergency commitment, then the individual will be admitted to an appropriate treatment facility.
links and resources
LAURENS COUNTY PROBATE COURT FEES
(Method of payment unless otherwise noted is a check, cash, or money order made payable to the
Laurens County Probate.)
ACCOUNTINGS (Conservatorship)- $10.00
CERTIFIED COPY (per document; additional fee for copies and research)- 5.00
COPIES- 50¢/pg.
COURT COST
Estates & Conservatorships (total gross value of probate estate):
$0-$4,999.99…………………………………………………………….25.00
$5,000-$19,999.99…………………………………………………….45.00
$20,000-$59,999.99…………………………………………………. 67.50
$60,000-$99,999.99…………………………………………………..95.00
$100,000-$599,999.99……….. $95 +.15% for amount over $100,000
$600,000 and over…….$845 + 1/4 of 1% for amount over $600,000
Small Estate Affidavit (total gross value of probate estate prior to valid encumbrances for a total estate value under $25,000.00 with no real property):
$0-$99.99………………………………………………………………….12.50
$100-$4,999.99………………………………………………………… 25.00
$5,000-$19,999.99……………………………………………………..45.00
$20,000-$59,999.99……………………………………………………67.50
CREDITORS ADVERTISEMENT (subject to change)- 75.00
DEMAND FOR NOTICE (FORM 111) – 5.00
EXEMPLIFIED/AUTHENTICATED COPY (additional fee for copies and research)- 20.00
FILING INITIAL SUMMONS/PETITION (Formal Proceedings)- 150.00
FILING/INDEXING WILL (Under Sec. 62-2-901)- 10.00
MARRIAGE LICENSE (CASH ONLY)
If one or both parties reside in Laurens County………45.00
If one or both parties reside in SC ………………………..65.00
If neither party resides in SC ………………………………..75.00
MARRIAGE LICENSE CORRECTION/REFORMING/RE-ISSUANCE- 6.75
RECORDING COPIES (Exemplified/Authenticated/Certified)- 20.00
REMINDERS- 5.00
REOPENING CLOSED ESTATES- 22.50
RESEARCH FEE- 5.00
SPECIAL/SUCCESSOR/TEMPORARY FIDUCIARY APPOINTMENT – 22.50
Contact
Location
100 Hillcrest Square, Suite A | P O Box 194
Laurens, SC 29360
Phone
864-984-7315
Fax
864-984-3779
Links to External Resources & Services
County
Laurens County- Register of Deeds
Laurens County- Assessor
Laurens County- Treasurer
State
South Carolina Bar – Wills and the Law
South Carolina DHEC/Vital Records
South Carolina Department of Revenue
South Carolina DMV Forms
South Carolina Judicial Department
South Carolina Legal Services Programs
South Carolina Legislature Online
Department of Health and Human Services – Medicaid
SCDNR Boat Titling & Registration Forms
Other Links of Interest
AARP
Elder Law Answers
Finding Military Members
Get Care SC
Internal Revenue Service
Savings Bond Calculator
Senior Citizens’ Handbook
Social Security Online
VA Benefit Information
Vital Records For Other States
Unclaimed Property Searches
Staff Directory
Honorable Kaye W. Fridy – Laurens County Probate Judge
Honorable Bryan C. Able – Associate Probate Judge
Forms
- South Carolina Judicial Department Forms – Important! After you click on this link, you will need to select and submit ‘Probate Court’ for Search #1. Otherwise you will get forms for All Court Types.
- Laurens County Probate Forms