South Carolina Eminent Domain Attorneys

Landowners going through eminent domain in South Carolina often feel powerless and overwhelmed. But the eminent domain attorneys at Sever Walker Padgitt are here to offer guidance and support. As experts in eminent domain and condemnation, we hold all levels of government and private entities accountable as they exercise the right to eminent domain. Your interests as the property owner are our first and only priority.

Sever Walker Padgitt serves all areas of South Carolina, including:

• Charleston
• Columbia
• Mount Pleasant
• Myrtle Beach

What Is Eminent Domain Law In South Carolina?

Eminent domain law in South Carolina gives certain government and private groups the right to take privately owned land for public purposes. Land can be taken to build roads, highways, pipelines, government buildings, and more. When the group exercising eminent domain actually takes the land, the act is known as condemnation.

Several eminent domain cases recently in South Carolina—involving the South Carolina Department of Transportation, the state government, and South Carolina Electric & Gas Company—demonstrate the importance of following correct procedures and establishing just compensation that is fair to the landowner.

In South Carolina, any government or private party that seeks to issue a condemnation order must notify the owner through proper channels and offer appropriate compensation for the land and property. A property owner is allowed to contest the real-world implications and necessity of the proposed “public use” and to ask for an adjustment to their compensation before the project can proceed.

South Carolina also holds inverse condemnation regulations that can restrict the use of private property prior to, or without, formal condemnation and trigger property seizure without initiating the eminent domain process. If you are facing government restrictions without your consent, it is vital that you consult a South Carolina eminent domain attorney as soon as possible.

Landowners who have received an eminent domain notice in South Carolina should act with urgency. You have the legal right to have your voice heard in condemnation cases. But remember that the condemnor may have spent months or even years planning the taking of the land, and every minute of delay could influence how the case plays out in court. That is why it is so important to act quickly and get professional help from a seasoned eminent domain lawyer to ensure you follow the correct procedures in a timely fashion and receive fair compensation.

Here are a few steps you should take as a landowner.