Protecting your RightsIn the Lowcountry and beyond

Civil Litigation & Personal Injury

Litigation is not a matter to be left to chance, to the unexperienced, or to the unprincipled. Mr. Pelzer has practical experience in all stages of civil litigation: from negotiating to resolve disputes before suit is filed, to deposing lay and expert witnesses, to mediating claims, and to presenting arguments and evidence to a judge and jury.

Litigation is expensive and stressful. When you need an attorney you can trust and pick up the phone and speak with, even on the weekends, Pelzer Law Firm stands ready to assist you in your civil litigation needs.

Pelzer Law Firm handles select personal injury claims involving traumatic injury and wrongful death claims on a contingency fee basis. Contact us via phone or e-mail for a free in-house consultation with Mr. Pelzer.

Landlord-Tenant: Residential & Commercial

Residential: Pelzer Law Firm represents both Landlords and Tenants related to claims under the Residential Landlord Tenant Act, with advice and services related to:

• Drafting/Negotiating Residential Leases
• Failure to pay rent
• Evictions
• Security deposits
• Damage to residential units

Commercial: Pelzer Law Firm provides the following advice and services for Landlords and Tenants in the commercial setting:

• Drafting/Negotiating Commercial Leases
• Failure to pay rent
• Evictions
• Security deposits
• Damage to commercial units

Corporate Formation

Pelzer Law Firm regularly assists Clients in determining which entity provides the best liability protection and corporate structure for any business endeavor. We can assist you with forming:

• Limited Liability Companies - LLC's
• Corporations
• Partnerships

Please contact us to discuss the pros and cons of the various corporate structures available for businesses formed under the laws of South Carolina. With the help of a qualified accounting professional of your choosing, we can assist in determining that proper consideration is given to tax treatment of corporate earnings and disbursements.

Simple Wills, Living Wills, Powers of Attorney

No one wants to think about their death, but with simple and affordable planning, you can decrease the burden and emotional toll on family left behind and provide guidance as to how your estate should be handled and distributed.

Pelzer Law Firm can assist with the explanation and preparation of the following documents:

• Simple Wills: A Simple Will is just that- simple. It should also be Affordable. The Probate Court handles all matters concerning probate estates and assets, but through a Simple Will, a person may control the following:
  • Designation of a Personal Representative.
  • Designation of Heirs.
  • Designate how money, real property, and personal property are distributed.
  • Nominate a person to assume custody of minor children in event of untimely death of one or both parents.
• Living Wills- Declaration of Desire for Natural Death: Direct and control how health care is administered in the event of a terminal condition or persistent vegetative state. Do not burden grieving family members with making such serious decisions without your guidance. Ensure that your wishes are known and honored.
• Do Not Resuscitate Orders: Everyone has the right and option to control how they pass away. If you have a preference to die without life saving measures being administered, that is your right. Ensure that your wishes are known and respected.
• Health Care Powers of Attorney: Designate someone you trust to make health care decisions for you in the event you are unable to.
• General Durable Powers of Attorney: Designate someone you trust to handle your business and personal affairs in the event of an incapacity.

Insurance Companies

Arthur Pelzer holds an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Pelzer Law Firm counsels and represents Insurance Companies and their Insureds for claims and litigation related to the following:

• Construction Defects
• Products Liability
• Motor Vehicle Accidents: Bodily Injury and Property Damage
• Bad Faith Claims: First Party and Third Party
• Directors and Officers: Breach of Fiduciary Duty

Pelzer Law Firm counsels and represents Insurance Companies related to the following:

• Coverage opinions and litigation under CGL Policies
• Declaratory Judgment Actions
• Motions to Intervene
• First Party Bad Faith Litigation

Pelzer Law Firm is fully staffed to handle all coverage and litigation matters

Contractors & Residential Homebuilders

Pelzer Law Firm offers the following servicers for general contractors, subcontractors, residential homebuilders, and specialty trades:

• Contract drafting and negotiations
• Mechanics Liens
• Bond Claims
• Collections
• Review of CGL policies to ensure that exclusions or endorsements do not defeat coverage for work performed on projects
• Construction defect litigation
• Insurance coverage negotiation and litigation
• Mediation & Arbitration

Property Managers & Property Owners Associations

Pelzer Law Firm has represented numerous owners associations in the Tri-County area over the years providing counsel and litigation support in the following areas:

• Enforcement of Covenants & Restrictions
• Compliance with Master Deed and By-Law Provisions
• Lien Enforcement and Foreclosure
• Construction Defect Claims and Lawsuits
• Counsel to Boards of Directors Concerning Observance of Fiduciary Obligations

Pelzer Law Firm currently serves on the Community Association Law Committee of the South Carolina Bar Association.

Eminent Domain: Condemnation & Inverse Condemnation

In South Carolina, governmental entities have the power to take private property for public use, subject to the property owner receiving just compensation. Just compensation means fair compensation as determined by the market, not the entity seizing the property.

Do not be intimidated by the power or actions of the government. Pelzer Law Firm will protect your rights to reasonable compensation for your property and will ensure that the proper expert is retained to provide a fair market valuation of the property being seized.

Pelzer Law Firm provides a free consultation for Eminent Domain matters and may be able to provide representation on a contingency fee basis. Pelzer Law Firm will also seek to recover all attorney’s fees and costs as provided by law in the appropriate cases.