South Carolina · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in South Carolina: get back what you're owed

Eight free guides for South Carolina, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in South Carolina

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for
$7,500
Court
Magistrate Court
Filing fee
$80
Lawyers
Optional

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in South Carolina

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit
30 days
Security deposit limit
No statewide limit
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
5 days
Notice before the landlord enters
24 hours

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in South Carolina

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with
South Carolina Department of Labor
Minimum wage (2026)
$7.25
Final paycheck if fired
See the rules
Deadline to file a wage claim
3 years

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in South Carolina

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period
12 mo / 12,000 mi
What makes it a lemon
3 repairs · 30 calendar days
Covers used cars
No
Before you sue
If maker has a program

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in South Carolina

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal
90 days after notice (county assessor)
Where you appeal first
County Board of Assessment Appeals
Median effective tax rate
0.48%
Median yearly tax on a home
$1,251

VariesIf your county mailed you an assessment notice in 2026 (for example, in a reassessment county), your window is 90 days from the mailing date and may already have closed. If you got no notice, you can still file a written appeal with the county assessor for the 2026 tax year before the first penalty date (January 16, 2027 in most counties). (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in South Carolina

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption
See the rules
Homestead deadline
See the guide
Senior break
Yes
Disabled veterans
See the rules

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in South Carolina

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search
South Carolina Unclaimed Property Program
Held by the state
Over $1 billion
Cost to search and claim
Free
On MissingMoney.com
Yes

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in South Carolina

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Residency before you can file
1 year (with exceptions)
Waiting period
See the guide
Filing fee
$150

Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in South Carolina

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in South Carolina
TopicDeadline or time limitRuleGuide
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: written contract3 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: verbal agreement3 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: property damage3 yearsSmall Claims Map
Renters' rightsDeadline to return a deposit30 daysTenant Rights Map
Renters' rightsNotice before an eviction case for unpaid rent5 daysTenant Rights Map
Unpaid wagesDeadline to file a wage claim3 yearsWage Claim Map
Unpaid wagesFinal paycheck if firedSee the rulesWage Claim Map
Lemon lawLemon law period12 mo / 12,000 miLemon Car Map
Lemon lawDeadlineYou must sue within 3 years of the date of original delivery (S.C. Code § 56-28-70).Lemon Car Map
Property tax appealsDeadline to appeal90 days after notice (county assessor)Tax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptionsHomestead deadlineSee the guideExemption Map
Unclaimed moneyDeadline to claimSee the guideOwed Map
DivorceResidency before you can file1 year (with exceptions)Divorce Law Map
DivorceWaiting periodSee the guideDivorce Law Map

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