Estate and Probate Clerk

Job Description

The Estate and Probate Clerk maintains the effective operations of the Probate Court. Prepares, processes and maintains legal records and documents.

Essential Functions

• Performs a variety of specialized clerical duties such as explaining the legal process to fiduciaries, heirs and beneficiaries; preparing docket sheets; reviewing and auditing estate inventories and appraisals to determine tax status; preparing orders for appointment of Personal Representative and Substitute or Successor Personal Representative; issuing orders closing estates and termination of fiduciaries.
• Reviews and audits court orders, statutes, estate files, trust agreements, appraisals, expenditures and accountings, schedules of distribution, deeds of distributions, notices of the right to demand hearing, and other legal documents to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
• Processes and maintains legal records and documents.
• Prepares and coordinates the service and filing of legal documents within statutory time periods; ensures the accuracy and completeness of all legal documents as well as compliance with state statutes.
• Maintains accurate and complete case files with security and confidentiality.
• Prepares and distributes hearing notices to appropriate parties.
• Calculates, bills, receives and receipts court fees.
• Records testimony using tape recorder and shorthand in Probate Court hearings.Transcribes testimony verbatim upon request or appeal.
• Reviews, prepares and/or submits various documents and reports, including petitions, orders, legal advertisements, wills, hearing notices, accountings, judicial summaries, dockets, transcripts, fiduciary letters, monthly reports, etc.
• Interacts and communicates with a variety of groups and individuals.
  
  

Non-Essential Functions

• Backup to the Marriage License Clerk, Mental Health Clerk, and Guardianship/Conservatorship Clerk.
• Interprets Probate Court procedures to clients and the general public; provides information and guidance with filling out appropriate forms as necessary.
• Performs data entry to record and retrieve case information and to prepare reports and correspondence.
• Performs various secretarial duties such as typing letters, court orders, notarizing and certifying documents, etc.
• Performs all other related duties as required.
  
  

Qualifications: Education and Work Experience

• Requires a vocational/technical diploma in secretarial science, paralegal studies or related field supplemented by three to five years of secretarial experience with Probate Court; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Must be a certified Notary Public.
  
  

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will occasionally be required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell.
• Must be able to reach, bend, stoop, carry, move and lift 10 lb. objects regularly.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee must have the ability to travel up to 5%.
  
  

Company Description

Vision

Florence County strives to be an exceptional place to live, work, and visit by enhancing the quality of life for our employees and those who call the County home, by encouraging innovation and economic opportunities, and by fostering trust and integrity in the County.

Mission

Florence County will provide high-quality public services, plan for the needs of our citizens, and promote a safe, healthy, and thriving community for all.

Benefits

• South Carolina Retirement System
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Long-Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Flexible Spending Account
• Onsite Employee Health Clinic
• Onsite Employee Workout Facility
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Supplemental Insurance Options
• Discounted rates at local fitness facilities