South Carolina Legal Guide
State data · Updated for 2026
Small Claims
$7,500
Filed in Magistrate Court. No lawyer required below this amount.
Open the calculator →Security Deposits
30 days
Deadline for landlords to return a deposit or send an itemized deduction list after move-out.
What to do if it’s late →Eviction Notice
5 days
Minimum written notice a landlord typically must give before starting eviction proceedings.
Statute of Limitations
3 years
Time limit to sue over a breached written contract in South Carolina.
Employment
At-will
Employers can generally terminate without cause, subject to federal anti-discrimination and retaliation protections.
Check overtime pay owed →What Makes South Carolina Different
South Carolina Magistrate Courts handle the bulk of consumer and landlord-tenant small claims.
South Carolina’s $7,500 small claims limit sits right at the 50-state median of 7500 — so a larger dispute may need to go through regular civil court instead of small claims, where legal representation becomes more common.
On security deposits, South Carolina gives landlords 30 days to act — right at the 50-state median of 30 days. That's a longer window than most states give landlords, so don't assume a violation just because a few weeks have passed — check the exact number above first. Once that window closes without an itemized deduction list, you have real leverage to demand the full amount back — see our Security Deposit Checker to see exactly where you stand.
For eviction, South Carolina generally requires 5 days’ written notice before a landlord can start formal proceedings — regardless of that number, only a court can order an actual eviction; a landlord changing your locks or removing belongings without a court order is illegal self-help eviction in every state, South Carolina included.
Free Tools & Guides for South Carolina
Every link below is a working tool or guide — not a placeholder.