South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 3 - Defense Of Indigents
Section 17-3-40. Creation of claim against assets and estate of person for whom counsel is provided.

(A) The appointment of counsel, as hereinbefore provided, creates a claim against the assets and estate of the person who is provided counsel in an amount equal to the costs of representation as determined pursuant to Sections 17-3-50 and 17-3-80, less that amount that the person pays to the defender corporation of the county or counties wherein he is being represented or the judicial department as provided for in Section 17-3-30.
(B) Such claim shall be filed in the office of the clerk of court in the county where the person is assigned counsel, but the filing of a claim shall not constitute a lien against real or personal property of the person unless, in the discretion of the court, part or all of such claim is reduced to judgment by appropriate order of the court, after serving the person with at least thirty days' notice that judgment will be entered. When a claim is reduced to judgment, it shall have the same effect as judgments, except as modified by this chapter.
(C) The court may, in its discretion, order any claim or judgment waived, modified or withdrawn.
(D) The Judicial Department shall be responsible for administering this section, and all moneys collected hereunder shall be paid over to the Judicial Department.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 17-283; 1969 (56) 374; 1977 Act No. 219 Part II Section 19; 1988 Act No. 356, Section 2.

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