March 27, 2008 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

SMC Paralegal Program Offering Probate Course in Spring II Session

Spartanburg County Probate Judge Going from Courtroom to Classroom

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Spartanburg County probate judge Ponda A. Caldwell spends her day with attorneys and paralegals. But this Spring she will be spending Thursday evenings teaching the in’s and out’s of probate law in the Paralegal Certificate Program at Spartanburg Methodist College as well.

The Probate Law course being offered in the Spring II session will provide instruction in the legal basis for probate administration – including the study of wills, intestacy, and the fundamentals of estate administration from opening through closing of an estate scenario.   The course, which will meet 10 times on Thursday evenings, is also open to the general public who can audit the course for only $125.

Judge Caldwell was appointed on January 13, 2005 by Gov. Mark Sanford to fulfill the unexpired term of Judge Raymond C. Eubanks, Jr., and was sworn in on that date by the Honorable R. C. Burnett, III, Associate Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court. She was elected in November, 2006 to her first four-year term of office.  Caldwell has served the citizens of Spartanburg County for the past 34 years, 30 of which have been in the Probate Court. 

Judge Caldwell, who has taught probate law since 1998, serves on the Advisory Committee for the Paralegal Certificate Program at SMC and has done so since its inception in 1996.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching and interacting with the students in this program.  Even if the career choice of a student does not take them into a law office which handles probate matters, this course assists them on a personal level.  The citizens of Spartanburg County are also reaping the benefits from my participation in the paralegal program, because I currently have three staff members who have either attended or have graduated from this program,” says Judge Caldwell.

Yvonne Harper, director of the SMC Paralegal Certificate Program, describes the Probate course as one of the most popular courses with students and the general public. 

“Most of us don’t like to even think about our family and loved ones passing away, but it is inevitable.  Probate encompasses all areas of law - from litigation to real estate, so our paralegals will be dealing with these issues in the law office.  They will also have to deal with them in their personal lives.  In fact, I have received many calls from former probate students thanking us for offering this class after having to deal personally with a probate matter.  Thanks to Judge Caldwell clarifying estate issues and setting forth a framework for informed action and understand in matters involving probate, they were able to grieve for this loved one, but were spared the frustration many experience when dealing with probating an estate,” says Harper.

Judge Caldwell has been active in the Spartanburg County, South Carolina, and National Associations for Legal Staff Professionals since April of 1983.  While serving those organizations she has received both the local and state Legal Professional of the Year Awards in 1994 and 1999 respectively.   

She was also named "Woman of Achievement" by the Spartanburg Business and Professional Women's Clubs on October 11, 2005.   She has served her fellow probate judges as secretary/treasurer of the SC Association of Probate Judges from 1997 until October of 2004, as second vice president 2005-06, first vice president 2006-07, and is currently serving as president. 

Judge Caldwell has also served on the Probate Court Advisory Committee to South Carolina Court Administration for the past several years.

In addition to Probate Law, SMC’s Paralegal Certificate Program will also offer Civil Litigation  and Constitutional Law in their Spring II Term beginning April 15 and running until June 20.  Classes are offered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 9 p.m.  The cost of each course is $275, or $125 for those preferring to audit.  Spartanburg Methodist College accepts check, cash, money order, Visa and Mastercard.

For information on registration or the Paralegal Certificate Program, contact  program director Yvonne Harper at 587-4278 or e-mail  harpery@smcsc.edu. Information can also be found online at www.smcsc.edu.

Spartanburg Methodist College is in its 97th year of providing a quality education to students in a Christian environment. More than 90 percent of SMC graduates continue their education at other institutions of higher learning.

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