Family Law

• Divorce
• Child Custody and Visitation
  It is not necessary to be getting a divorce or currently involved in litigation to consult with or hire an attorney. Obtaining information and making yourself well informed in advance before making any decisions regarding your marriage, child custody and/or guardianship is an important and invaluable step.
• Premarital Agreement
• Guardianship

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  Catherine practiced law for two years in Nashville, Tennessee primarily in the areas of child dependency and neglect and state and federal criminal defense before joining the firm in 2011. Prior to attending law school, Catherine worked as a teacher at Sea Pines Montessori School in Hilton Head and at Garden Montessori School in Knoxville, TN.

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  Day Hilton Head Island. His understanding of the local market, its history and its future, makes him a vital resource for any company or individual wishing to do business in Beaufort County. Mr. Scarminach's practice area is in corporate and business law and, in addition, has an extensive practice in the area of real estate transactions, community development and land use covenant law.
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Business Disputes
  Was established in 1983 by Herbert L. Novit and Charles A. Scarminach. Mr. Novit and Mr. Scarminach had been practicing law in Beaufort County in separate firms since the late '60s and the early '70s respectively and offer significant combined experience in business law, real estate law and real estate development law. The firm now engages in general practice with an emphasis on real estate and business law.
• Business Transactions
• Limited Liability Companies
  Wealth protection requires knowledge of Federal and State tax laws and creation of tax based inheritance strategies that insure maximum benefit. This includes creation of Trusts, special tax vehicles such as limited liability companies and other facilities that fit your particular asset and wealth situation.

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  With a practice area predominantly in real estate law, Mr. Novit has practiced law on Hilton Head since 1970. He was instrumental in many of the early real estate developments on the island and continues to offer a great deal of expertise in real estate law. Mr. Novit is active in a number of professional and community groups. Mr. Novit is licensed to practice in South Carolina.
• Construction Litigation
  Daniel A. Saxon is a partner in the firm and specializes in the areas of corporate and business law including commercial and residential real estate, as well as litigation, construction defects and contract matters. As a native to the Low Country, he holds an undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law. Mr. Saxon is a former officer of the Jasper County Bar Association and is a member of the Beaufort County Bar Association. He is licensed to practice in the state and federal courts of South Carolina.
• Real Estate Transactions
  Since 1992, Robert Deeb has practiced law on Hilton Head Island with his primary focus in real estate. He is an experienced professional in residential and commercial real estate transactions, including purchase, sale and loan closings, commercial and residential property development, zoning and regulatory compliance, and property owner/condominium association representation. He also forms corporations and limited liability companies to address clients' business, liability and tax concerns.
• Land Use and Zoning
  , has helped commercial clients conduct banking transactions, obtain financing, and navigate the intricacies of zoning and land use restrictions, community and condominium associations, registration and other regulatory matters.
• Condominium Law
  Principal representation has expanded to include corporate, commercial, business, estate planning and probate, community association and condominium law, family and domestic law, land registration and other regulatory law, and litigation in all courts and administrative forums. The shareholders and associates participate in professional, governmental, political and community affairs, and actively provide leadership in all such areas. Novit & Scarminach, P.A. handles all aspects of real estate closings, including refinances and nonresident purchases and sales. Our experienced staff of paralegals and legal assistants expertly assists the firm's real estate attorneys.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Lecturer: Columbus Bar Association Practice Institute, “ERISA Litigation,” 1991; Columbus Bar Association Tax Conference, “Planning Opportunities Under OBRA 93.” Adjunct Professor, Capital University School of Law, Graduate Tax Program, “Executive Compensation,” 1991. Fellow: American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
• Wills
• Trusts
• Probate
  Catherine A. Scarminach is an Associate with the firm and primarily practices Residential Real Estate, Estate Planning & Probate Law. A native of Hilton Head Island, Catherine attended Emory University for her undergraduate degree. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School in 2008.

Finance Law

• Foreclosure
  Laws and other governing documents, we also assist Associations and Regimes in their collection practices. Daniel A. Saxon has handled collections for various Associations on the Island since 2011 and currently manages the collection and foreclosure division at Novit & Scarminach.
• Tax Law
  Elizabeth B. Mayo has extensive experience and devotes her entire practice to the areas of business tax planning, retirement plan distributions, estate planning and probate. She joined the firm in 1995 and now serves Of Counsel.
• Debt Collection
  Our attorneys will ensure that your Association’s collection process is efficient and in compliance with all requisite laws including, but not limited to, the Federal Fair Debt Collection Act.