--- title: "Carolyn E. Woodruff | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/carolyn-e-woodruff-probate-judge-york-county-probate-court-sc" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Carolyn E. Woodruff York County Probate Court · Probate Judge ## Profile - Court: York County Probate Court - State: South Carolina - Role: Probate Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-27 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Carolyn E. Woodruff is the Probate Judge for York County, South Carolina, elected in 2010 and re‐elected in 2014, 2018, and 2022 - As judge, she speaks to churches, businesses, law enforcement, and the SC Bar on advance planning, probate court roles, and mental health commitments ### Education - University of Georgia School of Law in — J.D. (1981) - Carolyn Woodruff, also known professionally as Carolyn Woodruff Rogers, graduated in studio art from Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia ### Additional information - Elected probate judge in 2010 and again in 2014. - Practiced law in Virginia and Pickens, SC (1983–1986), then in Rock Hill, SC from 1986 until her judicial appointment in 2010. - Often appointed as an attorney or guardian ad litem in family court DSS cases, and represented many children in foster care on a pro bono basis. - For 18 years, she worked at Harper & Rogers, P.A. - focusing on estates and trusts, probate litigation, land use regulation, and commercial/residential real estate. - While a practicing attorney, Judge Rogers was Council chair of the Probate, Estates and Trusts Section of the South Carolina Bar. - Before joining the bench, she chaired the York County Zoning Board of Appeals and served on various community boards. - Other activities prior to her service on the Bench included chairing the York County Zoning Board of Appeals and participating as president or board member of various community organizations. - She is admitted to the South Carolina Bar, State Bar of Georgia, Virginia State Bar, and the York County Bar Association ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### recording broadcasting photography Scope: statewide South Carolina Rule 605 generally prohibits courtroom broadcasting, televising, recording, and photography unless an exception or presiding-judge authorization applies. Evidence excerpt: the broadcasting, televising, recording, or taking photographs in the courtroom and areas immediately adjacent thereto during sessions of court or recesses between sessions is prohibited [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-605/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### electronic evidence presentation Scope: statewide South Carolina Rule 605 permits the presiding judge to authorize electronic or photographic means for evidence presentation, record preservation, or judicial administration. Evidence excerpt: A presiding judge may authorize the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidence [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-605/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### media coverage notice Scope: statewide South Carolina Rule 605 requires media representatives to give reasonable notice to the presiding judge when requesting courtroom coverage. Evidence excerpt: Media representatives must give reasonable notice to the presiding judge of a request to cover a proceeding. [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-605/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote communication technology Scope: statewide South Carolina Rule 612 authorizes the Supreme Court to provide by order for courts to use remote communication technology for proceedings. Evidence excerpt: the Supreme Court of South Carolina may provide for the use of remote communication technology by the courts of this State to conduct proceedings [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 612: Use of Remote Communication Technology](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-612/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### virtual and in person recording Scope: statewide South Carolina's statewide order prohibits photographing, recording, or streaming live, virtual, or broadcasted court proceedings unless the presiding judge specifically authorizes it under Rule 605. Evidence excerpt: taking still photographs, recording (visual or audio), or streaming of any live, virtual, or subsequently broadcasted court proceeding is strictly prohibited unless specifically authorized by the presiding judge pursuant to Rule 605 [Supreme Court of South Carolina Order: Recording of In-Person or Virtual Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/courtOrders/displayOrder.cfm?orderNo=2020-09-28-01) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/probate-court/judges/carolyn-e-woodruff/) - [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/probate-court/judges/carolyn-e-woodruff/) - [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/probate-court/judges/carolyn-e-woodruff/) - [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-605/) - [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 612: Use of Remote Communication Technology](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-612/) - [Supreme Court of South Carolina Order: Recording of In-Person or Virtual Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/courtOrders/displayOrder.cfm?orderNo=2020-09-28-01) - [Carolyn E. Woodruff](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/probate-court/judges/carolyn-e-woodruff) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/carolyn-e-woodruff-probate-judge-york-county-probate-court-sc", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/carolyn-e-woodruff-probate-judge-york-county-probate-court-sc", "name": "Carolyn E. Woodruff | KnowJudges", "description": "Carolyn E. Woodruff, York County Probate Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-02", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/carolyn-e-woodruff-probate-judge-york-county-probate-court-sc#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/carolyn-e-woodruff-probate-judge-york-county-probate-court-sc#judge", "name": "Carolyn E. 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