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Probate · Summerville, SC

Probate Courts Serving Summerville: Dorchester, Berkeley and Charleston Counties

Which court handles your family's estate, guardianship or trust matter depends on where the person lived. Here is where each court is and how it works.

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Which court has your case

Estates are opened in the probate court of the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. Guardianships and conservatorships are filed where the person lives (or, for a minor, where the minor resides or has property). A Summerville address can fall in Dorchester or Berkeley County—Nexton, Cane Bay and Carnes Crossroads are Berkeley—so check the county on the property tax bill or voter registration before filing.

Dorchester County Probate Court

The Dorchester County Probate Court sits in the county courthouse complex in St. George, about half an hour up Highway 78 from Summerville. Tara Frost served here as an Associate Probate Judge; the court is busy, and files move faster when forms are complete and valuations are supported.

Dorchester County Probate Court

5200 E. Jim Bilton Blvd., St. George, SC 29477 · (843) 563-0105 · Website

Estates, guardianships and conservatorships for Dorchester County residents. Call before visiting; hearings are by appointment.

Berkeley County Probate Court

Berkeley County's probate court is in Moncks Corner. Goose Creek, Hanahan, Moncks Corner, Ladson addresses on the Berkeley side, and the Nexton and Cane Bay communities file here.

Berkeley County Probate Court

300-B California Avenue, Moncks Corner, SC 29461 · (843) 719-4519 · Website

Estates, guardianships and conservatorships for Berkeley County residents, including Goose Creek, Hanahan, Nexton, Cane Bay and Daniel Island.

Charleston County Probate Court

Charleston County's probate court is in downtown Charleston. North Charleston, Charleston, Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, James Island, Johns Island and Daniel Island estates file here. Parking is metered; allow time.

Charleston County Probate Court

100 Broad Street, Suite 469 (Historic Courthouse, 84 Broad Street), Charleston, SC 29401 · (843) 958-5180 · Website

Estates, guardianships and conservatorships for Charleston County residents, including North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, James Island and Johns Island.

What to bring to open an estate

  • The original will, if any, and any codicils
  • A certified death certificate
  • Names and addresses of heirs and beneficiaries
  • A preliminary list of assets and approximate values, and known debts
  • Photo identification and the filing fee, which is set by statute on a sliding scale

Practical notes

  • Most filings use the court's own forms; the South Carolina Judicial Branch publishes them statewide, and each court has local practices about scheduling and notice.
  • Hearings in contested matters are before the probate judge; jury trials are available by removal to circuit court in limited cases.
  • Clerks cannot give legal advice; they can tell you which form applies and whether a filing is complete.

Court addresses and hours change; the details above were checked against the counties' websites in September 2026. Call the court, or us, before you drive.

Not sure which court?

Tell us the address and what needs to be filed. We will point you to the right courthouse and tell you what to bring.

Schedule a consultation(843) 419-6653

Questions people ask

Can I file in Dorchester County if my father lived in Goose Creek?

No. The estate is opened where he was domiciled—Berkeley County for most Goose Creek addresses.

Do I need to appear in person?

For an uncontested informal estate, usually not; filings can be handled by mail or through counsel. Contested matters and guardianships involve hearings.

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