The purpose of this job is to perform the duties necessary in assisting the public and attorneys with properly filing and following through with litigation in the Probate Court. Schedule litigation hearings as well as mental and chemical emergency proceedings. This position works independently, under general supervision from the Probate Court Judge, reporting major activities through periodic meetings.
Duties and Responsibilities
The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

• Schedule hearings on all litigation matters as well as emergency mental and chemical hearings. Maintains a litigation roster that shows the status of all pending formal matters.
• Assists the public and attorneys with questions about how to proceed with litigation in Probate Court and how to fill out appropriate forms.
• Reviews facts of cases scheduled for hearing as well as performing legal research of case law and relevant statutes to assist the Judge in preparing for the hearing.
• Ensures that litigants file documents that were ordered during the hearing, such as bond agreements and restricted account agreements, and reviews them for accuracy.
• Drafts Orders after hearings held with pro se litigants, using appropriate Probate Code statutes and case law after legal research.
• Supervises and monitors the progress of litigation in the Probate Court, and ensures that all necessary filings, such as proof of service, have been received.
• Processes informal estates, small estates, and other routine probate matters when other Court staff is occupied or unavailable.
• Issues correspondence (letters, emails, etc.) to attorneys and the public requesting missing documentation, clarification, or other items necessary to proceed with litigation, closing an estate, complying with the terms of an Order, etc.
• Act as court reporter during hearings. Record proceedings & take notes.
• Performs other duties and related work as instructed and assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
Juris Doctorate and admission to the bar in South Carolina preferred; or Paralegal Certification and one (1) year experience in litigation, probate or closely related area of law.
Special Certifications and Licenses:

• Requires admission to the South Carolina Bar or Paralegal Certification
• Requires maintaining continuing legal education requirements.

Physical Demands:
Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.
Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment):

• None.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance
Orangeburg County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Orangeburg County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.