Lexington County Magistrate Court Court cases in Lexington County, Lexington, SC
Lexington County Probate Court in Lexington, South Carolina, is a county-level probate court within the South Carolina Unified Judicial System. It has limited jurisdiction over decedents' estates (probate of wills, estate administration, small-estate filings), trusts, protective proceedings for incapacitated adults (guardianships and conservatorships), and conservatorships for minors. The court also handles involuntary mental health and substance abuse commitment proceedings, issues marriage licenses, and may approve allocations and settlements related to wrongful death and survival actions connected to an estate. It does not hear criminal, traffic, general civil, or divorce/custody matters; those are handled by Municipal/Magistrate, Circuit, and Family Courts.
Lexington County Magistrate Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Magistrate Court |
| County: | Lexington |
| Street Address: | 139 E. Main St. |
| City: | Lexington |
| Zip Code: | 29072 |
| Phone: | 803-785-2594 |
| Fax: | 803-785-2524 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Website URL: | https://lex-co.sc.gov/departments/magistrate-court-services |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.sccourts.org/forms/searchType.cfm |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | https://publicindex.sccourts.org/lexington/summarycourtdockets/SummaryDocketSearch.aspx |
| Jury Service: | https://lex-co.sc.gov/departments/clerk-court/jury-information |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/lisa4lexclerk/ |
| ADA: | ADA Compliance Coordinator |
| ADA Phone: | 803-785-8121 |
| About / Additional Info: | The Magistrate Court is the Summary Criminal Court and the Small Claims Court for South Carolina residents. It is established under the SC Unified Judicial System supervised by the Chief Justice of the SC Supreme Court through the Office of Court Administration.The Magistrate Court is responsible for trying all traffic cases and misdemeanor criminal offenses that carry up to a 30-day jail sentence or $500 fine plus assessments. Criminal cases that have more severe consequences are referred to the General Sessions Court.The Magistrate Court also handles small claims disputes up to $7,500 in value and landlord-tenant disputes. Civil cases that exceed small claim maximum value are removed to the Court of Common Pleas. |
| Wikipedia: | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexington_County_Courthouse |
Services and Case Types Handled in Lexington County Magistrate Court
Lexington County Probate Court serves the public by administering estates and protective proceedings. Core services include:
- Case filings: wills, estate openings (informal/formal), appointment of personal representatives, small estates, creditor claims, inventories, accountings; petitions for guardianships and conservatorships; trust matters within jurisdiction; marriage license applications.
- Protective proceedings and orders: establishes guardianships/conservatorships; issues related protective orders; processes involuntary mental health and substance-abuse commitment cases.
- Court hearings and trials: schedules hearings on estate and guardianship matters, accountings, will contests; conducts jury trials when required and manages probate juror summons.
- Records and support: maintains probate records, provides certified copies, forms, and procedural guidance; collects fees; notices to interested parties.
- Compliance: monitors fiduciary reporting and bond requirements.