EMINENT DOMAIN
Fighting to Protect Land Owners' Rights
Condemnation. Eminent Domain. An army of government lawyers telling you they’re going to take your land. It’s frightening stuff.
Truth is, they’ll probably succeed if they want the land for a public project. Sometimes landowners can prove that that the government doesn’t need all the land they’re trying to take through eminent domain, or that they don’t need any of it at all. Most of the time, though, a landowner’s only recourse is to get the best financial deal possible out of the situation.
That’s where the experienced Eminent Domain attorneys at Briggs and Alexander come in. We’ve spent decades fighting to make sure landowners get fair market value for their property and to help them get all the other financial assistance to which they’re entitled.
Public Use Projects and Eminent Domain
A government, or utility company, is allowed to take private land under eminent domain as long as the project is for public use.
This includes:
- Road projects
- Utility lines or pipelines
- Airports
- Schools
- Underground gas storage
- Parks
- Railroads
Once the government notifies you of its plans, you can fight to keep your property or negotiate a better price if you don’t feel the financial offer fair. At Briggs and Alexander, we can help you with either strategy.
Balancing the Scales of Justice
The key issue in most eminent domain cases is “just compensation.” Our goal is making it a fair fight. The government has experienced eminent domain lawyers on its side. They’ll hire appraisers and engineers well-versed in condemnation matters.
The Briggs and Alexander team has spent decades making sure landowners have someone equally skilled battling alongside them.
Helping you obtain just compensation means working to ensure that you receive the fair market value for your property based on:
- The highest and best use of your land (which may not be its current use)
- A proper analysis and valuation of the land being taken by the government
- An accurate assessment of the impact to your remaining property
Compensation Beyond the Cost for the Land
In addition to the just compensation for the property, we’ll also work to make sure landowners receive everything else to which they’re entitled. This may include:
- Moving expenses if you or your company is forced to relocate
- Reestablishment expenses to set up your business at a new location
- Adjusted property taxes where your entire property is taken by the government
- Interest on the amount ultimately determined to be just compensation
- Access to funds the government must deposit with the court
The most important thing for landowners to remember: Condemnation and eminent domain are complex areas of the law. If a government agent contacts you about acquiring your land for a public project, your next move should be to consult Briggs and Alexander immediately.