Protecting Your Rights in Eminent Domain Cases in Kaufman County
Unfortunately, the power of eminent domain allows the government to take your property, and there is little you can do to stop them. But what you can do is make sure that you’re properly compensated for the loss of your property. The government will try to low ball you with settlement offers and will try to make sure the lowest amount possible is awarded to you if the matter ever goes to court. At Guest and Gray Law Firm we’ll fight the government to make sure that Kaufman county residents get the payment they deserve for their property. Call us at (972) 564-4644 to set up a free initial consultation so we can discuss your specific situation.
Eminent domain comes up when the state is building a new highway. Or it can come up when a city needs space for a new manufacturing plant or other large business that could help the local economy. In Kaufman County, it is an issue when the city of Dallas uses eminent domain to take property so that they can run pipelines for water projects involving lakes in the area. The city currently has projects going on involving Lake Palestine, Lake Tawakoni, and Benbrook Lake among others.
Factors to consider when determining what your land is actually worth
- Location, location, location
- Where is your property? Is it in a growing community? Is it in a high traffic area? Is it located in a good school district? These are just some of the factors that can make your property more valuable.
- Improvements
- Improvements mean things on the property like a home. If you’ve got a home on the property, the government will obviously need to compensate you for the land and the home.
- Commercial viability
- This is somewhat dependent on location, but does your property have any potential commercial uses? Could a business purchase your property? Could your property be of value to cellular companies or oil companies?
When the government wants your property, they’ll reach out with a purchase offer. Their goal? To spend as little as possible. City attorneys handling these matters often need to consult the city council about their spending limits.
As your legal team at Guest & Gray, we step in to ensure a fair deal. Our first move is to gather evidence, often including a proper property appraisal, to present to the city. Our aim is to negotiate a fair settlement.
If the city doesn’t agree to a reasonable price, a third party steps in to determine the fair cost. In Kaufman County, special commissioners from the community, appointed by a judge, hear the case first. If the decided amount doesn’t satisfy either party, we can appeal to the judge.
Contact an Eminent Domain Attorney Today
If you’re facing an issue where some government entity is taking your property, contact our eminent domain attorney at Guest and Gray Law Firm. We’ll make sure you get the price you deserve for your property. Call (972) 564-4644.
