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A complete filing guide.
Money disputes up to $7,500 are settled in the Lexington County small-claims court, which runs on simplified procedures built for people without a lawyer.
This page sets out the ceiling on claims, what the court charges, the courthouse that covers Lexington County, how notice reaches the other party, the time limits, and the filing steps. Squabble can prepare and lodge the paperwork when you decide to go ahead.
Small claims are split between several hub courthouses across Lexington County. The court assigns a case by ZIP code, following the defendant or the events.
Tap a courthouse to see its details in the list below.
Picking the right building matters. A ZIP code lookup on the court's official locator will name it, or Squabble pinpoints it automatically. Assignments do change, so confirm it first.
2 courthouses serve Lexington County, Lexington County Magistrate, District 2 among them. About 313,774 people live in Lexington County.
Electronic filing is accepted for small claims at this court, so the opening papers need not be delivered in person.
Small claims are heard at the courthouse, in person.
Two sets of evidence are needed, one for the judge and one for the other side, and some courts also take it electronically in advance.
Residents of Lexington County, South Carolina, which has a population of 313,774, can bring small claims cases in the South Carolina Magistrates Court, where the claim limit is $7,500. Two locations handle these matters. The Lexington County Magistrate Court, District 1, sits at 139 East Main Street, Suite B, in Lexington, 29072, and can be reached at (803) 785-2140. The Lexington County Magistrate, District 2, is located at 111 Lincreek Drive in Columbia, 29212, with the phone number (803) 785-2384. Both courthouses are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and are closed Saturday and Sunday. The county includes communities such as Cayce, Chapin, Gilbert, Leesville, Pelion, Swansea, and West Columbia, along with ZIP codes including 29033, 29054, 29073, 29169, and 29170. Lexington County lies near Richland County, Saluda County, and Calhoun County. Electronic filing is not available, so filings are handled at the courthouse locations described above.
More than one location takes small claims here. The court matches a case to a location by address.
A case filed here usually comes from one of these 11 communities:
Batesburg, Cayce, Chapin, Columbia, Gaston, Gilbert, Leesville, Lexington, Pelion, Swansea, West Columbia.
ZIP codes:
With about 313,774 residents, Lexington County ranks 6th by population among the 46 counties of South Carolina. Lexington County Magistrate, District 2 sits about 5 miles from the Richland County courthouse in Columbia and 16 miles from the Saluda County courthouse in Saluda.
Neighbouring counties and the courts that serve them:
This is the part of the court built for ordinary money arguments. The procedure is stripped back, and there is a ceiling on the amount at stake.
Maximum claim
Where the dispute arose does not set venue in this state; where they live does.
You can't divide one dispute into several smaller cases to get around the limit.
A small-claims judge generally orders one side to pay money; other kinds of orders belong in higher courts.
An attorney may appear at the hearing in South Carolina, though nobody has to have one. The process assumes you will speak for yourself.
Under-18s are represented by a guardian the court appoints.
This state requires notarized filing documents. Squabble prepares them notarization-ready.
This state expects your supporting evidence to be submitted with the filing, not just brought to the hearing.
Over the limit? A claim above the ceiling can be trimmed to fit, or filed in full in the ordinary civil court. Trimming generally means writing off the remainder.
They are the same across all 16 Lexington County ZIP codes, from 29006 onward. These are the limits for Lexington County, population about 313,774.
This court handles money claims to a ceiling of $7,500. Below are the kinds of case filed most often.
Lexington County has about 313,774 residents. Lexington County takes in Batesburg, Cayce and Chapin and the rest of the county.
It's built to be navigable without a lawyer. Here's the shape of a case from start to finish.
Complete the claim form, choose the right court, and pay the filing fee.
The other side is formally served and has the chance to respond, or to settle before the hearing.
A short hearing, held in the courtroom or remotely where that is offered. A decision follows on the day or shortly afterwards.
This is the route a Lexington County case takes, whether it starts in 29006 or anywhere else among the county ZIP codes. Lexington County Magistrate, District 2 lists (803) 785-2384 as its number.
A filed case still has to reach the defendant. Formal notice, known as service of process, does that, and delivering it personally is generally not allowed. In South Carolina, courts typically use the sheriff or constable, email service where the court allows it, delivery arranged by the court, personal delivery by an approved server or certified mail.
Depending on the court: the sheriff or constable, a professional process server, the clerk by certified mail, or another adult who isn't part of the case. Methods and costs vary by county.
There is a deadline, counted backwards from the hearing, by which the defendant must have the papers. Ask the clerk for it when the date is assigned. Service within 10 days. Proof of service before hearing.
A completed proof of service records who delivered the papers and when, and it is filed with the court beforehand.
Service is where many self-filed cases stall. Squabble can coordinate professional Service of Process so it's done correctly and on time.
A Lexington County address carries one of its 16 ZIP codes, 29006, 29033 and 29036 among them. Richland County and Saluda County are the counties nearest to Lexington County.
Filing is only possible for a set time after the events. Beyond it, the other side can have the claim thrown out.
| Type of claim | Filing deadline |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 3 years |
| Oral contract | 3 years |
| Property damage | 3 years |
| Personal injury | 3 years |
They do not change from one Lexington County ZIP code to another, 29006 included. The same periods apply in Lexington County as in nearby Richland County and Saluda County, which are in the same state.
Money owed under a contract in South Carolina generally accrues interest at 8.75% per year before judgment (S.C. Code §34-31-20).
The Squabble interest calculator shows what the accrued figure comes to on top of the principal.
It is the same rate across all 16 Lexington County ZIP codes. The rate above is the one for Lexington County, population about 313,774.
Confirm the sum sits under the cap and that the time limit for this kind of claim has not run out.
Get the defendant's legal name right, set out the events, and break down how the figure is reached.
File at the Lexington County hub courthouse for your dispute's ZIP code, or e-file, and pay the $45 fee (or request a waiver if you qualify).
Service comes after the date is set. File the server's proof once the papers have been delivered.
Put the evidence in order, with exhibits marked, so the account is easy to follow.
Attend, in the courtroom or by video where the court allows it, put your case, and hear the ruling.
Go through the events with Eleanor. The documents are prepared, Triple-Checked™ for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and filed for you.
Start for FREE →You will meet a claim form, a proof of service, and possibly a fee waiver. What each is called depends on the court, and Squabble matches them to your courthouse.
Lexington County takes in filings from 16 ZIP codes, 29006 first in the list. A Lexington County filing goes to one of 2 courthouses, Lexington County Magistrate, District 2 among them.
The hearing is brief and informal. The judge asks the questions, and most people speak for themselves.
Batesburg, Cayce and Chapin are among the Lexington County places a hearing can draw parties from. Lexington County hearings are held at one of its 2 listed courthouses, depending on where the case is filed.
The decision settles who owes what. Turning it into money is a separate stage, and the tools the court makes available differ by state.
Some states permit part of the debtor's wages to be diverted to the judgment until it is cleared.
With a bank levy, the court reaches funds held in the debtor's account directly.
Recording the judgment with the county can place a lien on the debtor's real property.
There is also an examination procedure: the debtor is ordered to attend and give sworn answers about earnings and assets. Interest normally accrues at the statutory rate until payment.
Batesburg, Cayce and Chapin are among the Lexington County places a judgment debtor may live in. Richland County and Saluda County are the counties nearest to Lexington County.
Checked August 2026. Because courts revise fees, limits and procedures, confirm the current position before filing.
Talk with Eleanor about what happened. Squabble prepares your demand letter and court-ready documents, Triple-Checks them for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files your Lexington County case for you.
