Nexton, Cane Bay and Carnes Crossroads are in Berkeley County. Here is why that matters for your estate—and your speeding ticket

The line

The Dorchester–Berkeley county line runs roughly along the old town's eastern and northern edges. The communities built since I-26's exit 197 opened—Nexton, Cane Bay, Carnes Crossroads, Sangaree, much of the 29486 ZIP code—are in Berkeley County. So is Jedburg. Historic downtown Summerville, Knightsville, Ashborough, Old Trolley Road and most of 29483 and 29485 are Dorchester County. Your property tax bill, your voter registration card and the county GIS map all say which side you are on.

What the county decides

Inside the Summerville town limits—which also cross the county line—Summerville Municipal Court hears town-police tickets and ordinance cases regardless of county.

Why it matters for planning

Estates are probated where the person was domiciled at death, so a Cane Bay retiree's estate goes to Moncks Corner even though every relative assumes Dorchester. A durable power of attorney is recorded in the county of residence. And when families file in the wrong court, the case is dismissed and refiled—weeks lost during a hard time. Our guide to the three probate courts has addresses and phones for each.

Why it matters for a charge

Which sheriff's office made the arrest and which solicitor's office prosecutes are county questions too, although Dorchester and Berkeley share the First Judicial Circuit solicitor. Jack appears in both counties' courts; see Nexton, Cane Bay and Carnes Crossroads for the specifics.

Written by Tara L. Frost, Attorney at Law · former Dorchester County Magistrate and Associate Probate Judge. Reviewed by Jack C. Frost.

Questions people ask

Related pages

• Probate courts guide

  Addresses, phones and practical notes for the three probate courts we appear in.

  Learn more

• Nexton

  Learn more

• Cane Bay

  Learn more