South Carolina Pro Se Help: Free Court Self-Help Centers and Legal Aid by County

If you are handling a divorce, custody, support or protective order case in South Carolina on your own, start with the free help that already exists. This page lists, for each of the 46 counties, the court's self-help program and the free legal aid office that serves it, with phone numbers and websites.

Statewide: South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free online packets and guides for South Carolina residents handling divorce, support or visitation cases alone.

Abbeville County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Abbeville, Calhoun Falls, Donalds, Due West, Honea Path, and Lowndesville.

Aiken County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Aiken, Burnettown, Jackson, Monetta, New Ellenton, North Augusta, Perry, Salley, Wagener, and Windsor.

Allendale County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Allendale, Fairfax, Sycamore, and Ulmer.

Anderson County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Anderson, Belton, Clemson, Easley, Honea Path, Iva, Pelzer, Pendleton, Starr, West Pelzer, and Williamston.

Bamberg County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Bamberg, Denmark, Ehrhardt, Govan, and Olar.

Barnwell County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Barnwell, Blackville, Elko, Hilda, Kline, Snelling, and Williston.

Beaufort County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Beaufort, Bluffton, Hardeeville, Hilton Head Island, Port Royal, Ridgeland, and Yemassee.

Berkeley County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Bonneau, Charleston, Goose Creek, Hanahan, Jamestown, Moncks Corner, North Charleston, St. Stephen, and Summerville.

Calhoun County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Cameron and St. Matthews.

Charleston County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Awendaw, Charleston, Folly Beach, Hollywood, Isle of Palms, James Island, Kiawah Island, Lincolnville, McClellanville, Meggett, Mount Pleasant, and North Charleston.

Cherokee County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Blacksburg, Chesnee, Gaffney, and Smyrna.

Chester County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Chester, Fort Lawn, Great Falls, Lowrys, and Richburg.

Chesterfield County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Cheraw, Chesterfield, Jefferson, McBee, Mount Croghan, Pageland, Patrick, and Ruby.

Clarendon County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Manning, Paxville, Summerton, and Turbeville.

Colleton County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Cottageville, Edisto Beach, Lodge, Smoaks, Walterboro, and Williams.

Darlington County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Darlington, Hartsville, Lamar, and Society Hill.

Dillon County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Dillon, Lake View, and Latta.

Dorchester County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Harleyville, Lincolnville, North Charleston, Reevesville, Ridgeville, St. George, and Summerville.

Edgefield County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Edgefield, Johnston, North Augusta, and Trenton.

Fairfield County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Blythewood, Jenkinsville, Ridgeway, and Winnsboro.

Florence County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Coward, Florence, Johnsonville, Lake City, Olanta, Pamplico, Quinby, Scranton, and Timmonsville.

Georgetown County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Andrews, Georgetown, and Pawleys Island.

Greenville County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Fountain Inn, Greenville, Greer, Mauldin, Simpsonville, and Travelers Rest.

Greenwood County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Greenwood, Hodges, Ninety Six, Troy, and Ware Shoals.

Hampton County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Brunson, Estill, Furman, Gifford, Hampton, Luray, Scotia, Varnville, and Yemassee.

Horry County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Atlantic Beach, Aynor, Briarcliffe Acres, Conway, Loris, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Surfside Beach.

Jasper County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Hardeeville and Ridgeland.

Kershaw County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Bethune, Camden, and Elgin.

Lancaster County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Heath Springs, Kershaw, Lancaster, and Van Wyck.

Laurens County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Clinton, Cross Hill, Fountain Inn, Gray Court, Laurens, Ware Shoals, and Waterloo.

Lee County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Bishopville and Lynchburg.

Lexington County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Batesburg-Leesville, Cayce, Chapin, Columbia, Gaston, Gilbert, Irmo, Lexington, Pelion, Pine Ridge, South Congaree, and Springdale.

McCormick County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers McCormick, Parksville, and Plum Branch.

Marion County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Marion, Mullins, Nichols, and Sellers.

Marlboro County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Bennettsville, Blenheim, Clio, McColl, and Tatum.

Newberry County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Little Mountain, Newberry, Peak, Pomaria, Prosperity, Silverstreet, and Whitmire.

Oconee County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Salem, Seneca, Walhalla, West Union, and Westminster.

Orangeburg County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Bowman, Branchville, Cope, Cordova, Elloree, Eutawville, Holly Hill, Livingston, Neeses, North, Norway, and Orangeburg.

Pickens County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Central, Clemson, Easley, Liberty, Norris, Pendleton, Pickens, and Six Mile.

Richland County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Arcadia Lakes, Blythewood, Cayce, Columbia, Eastover, Forest Acres, and Irmo.

Saluda County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Batesburg-Leesville, Monetta, Ridge Spring, Saluda, and Ward.

Spartanburg County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Campobello, Central Pacolet, Chesnee, Cowpens, Duncan, Greer, Inman, Landrum, Lyman, Pacolet, Reidville, and Spartanburg.

Sumter County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Mayesville, Pinewood, and Sumter.

Union County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Carlisle, Jonesville, Lockhart, and Union.

Williamsburg County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Andrews, Greeleyville, Hemingway, Kingstree, Lane, and Stuckey.

York County: court help from South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, phone (803) 734-1800. Free legal aid from South Carolina Legal Services, phone (888) 346-5592. Covers Clover, Fort Mill, Hickory Grove, McConnells, Rock Hill, Sharon, Smyrna, Tega Cay, and York.

Where can I get free help with a family court case in South Carolina without a lawyer? Start with South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, run by South Carolina Judicial Branch, phone (803) 734-1800. It serves every county in South Carolina. For free legal advice, contact South Carolina Legal Services if you qualify by income.

Who gives free legal aid in South Carolina? South Carolina is served by one federally funded legal aid office: South Carolina Legal Services. Each one serves set counties, so check the listing for your county. Help is free for people who qualify, usually by income.

What is a court self-help center? It is a free help desk run by or for the court for people handling their own case without a lawyer. Staff can explain which forms you need, how to fill them out, how filing and service work, and what happens next. They are not your lawyer, so they cannot tell you what to ask for or how to argue your case.

What is the difference between a self-help center and legal aid? A self-help center helps anyone who walks in or calls, whatever their income, with forms and court steps. A legal aid office is a nonprofit law office that can give free legal advice and sometimes a free lawyer, but only to people who qualify, usually by income. Many parents use both.

What should I have ready before I call? Your county, your case number if you have one, the names of both parents and the children, any papers you were served, and any deadline or hearing date. Write down the date you called, who you spoke to, and what they told you.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get free help with a family court case in South Carolina without a lawyer?

Start with South Carolina Judicial Branch Self Help Resources, run by South Carolina Judicial Branch, phone (803) 734-1800. It serves every county in South Carolina. For free legal advice, contact South Carolina Legal Services if you qualify by income.

Who gives free legal aid in South Carolina?

South Carolina is served by one federally funded legal aid office: South Carolina Legal Services. Each one serves set counties, so check the listing for your county. Help is free for people who qualify, usually by income.

What is a court self-help center?

It is a free help desk run by or for the court for people handling their own case without a lawyer. Staff can explain which forms you need, how to fill them out, how filing and service work, and what happens next. They are not your lawyer, so they cannot tell you what to ask for or how to argue your case.

What is the difference between a self-help center and legal aid?

A self-help center helps anyone who walks in or calls, whatever their income, with forms and court steps. A legal aid office is a nonprofit law office that can give free legal advice and sometimes a free lawyer, but only to people who qualify, usually by income. Many parents use both.

What should I have ready before I call?

Your county, your case number if you have one, the names of both parents and the children, any papers you were served, and any deadline or hearing date. Write down the date you called, who you spoke to, and what they told you.