Hire a Texas Eminent Domain Lawyer to Maximize Your Property Settlement
Most of Texas land is still privately owned.
That puts the government in a tough spot. They need more land to keep building new infrastructure to support a booming population.
So they often use eminent domain laws to seize property for public use.
However, public use is no excuse for the abuse of property owners’ rights.
Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happens with a lot of property owners. They are intimidated, manipulated, and poorly compensated to give up their lands.
Our passionate team of Eminent Domain Lawyers has helped defend the rights of Texas landowners and get them the high compensation they deserve.
Are You a Victim of Eminent Domain?
Get the Compensation You Deserve! Call Us For a FREE Case Review to Know What Your Case Is Worth.
Understanding Condemnation Cases
Eminent domain is the legal right of the government to acquire private property for public use. The legal process through which this land is acquired is known as condemnation.
They have to prove the land is only being used for projects that add real public value, such as:
- Highways
- Public buildings like courts, government offices, and fire stations
- Schools
- Airports, bus and railway transport network
- Water, drainage, or gas pipelines
- Military installations
- Dams
- Power stations
Just because the process is called condemnation, it doesn’t mean your case is condemned. This power of eminent domain is not absolute.
So, if you’ve received a condemnation notice from the government. It’s NOT an eviction notice.
There are clear Texas state laws, federal laws, and the Fifth Amendment to defend your property rights.
4 Key Private Property Owners’ Rights that You’re Entitled to:
- Public purpose– The Fifth Amendment only allows the condemnation of private properties for public use.
- Due process – The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments mandate governments and citizens to go through a due process of law for settling the case. Landowners must provide proper legal documentation on time giving property owners a chance to respond properly.
- Just compensation – According to the Fifth Amendment, the condemning party must also provide just compensation to the property owner. Owners are entitled to be compensated for their whole property value and any damages they face because of this process.
- Dispute – You have the right to legally contest the condemnation process. Your eminent domain lawyer will be able to figure out if your property rights are being violated. They’ll navigate all the complex legal processes and deadlines to negotiate the best possible settlement for you.
Maximizing Compensation: The Firm’s Process
We care about you getting the best value for your property AND experiencing the smoothest transition once you shift.
There are a ton of factors to evaluate to ensure you walk away with a compensation that you’re happy with years after the deal.
Experienced Attorneys
Ranked among the top 100 Houston Super Lawyers, our experienced attorneys here at Wyly & Cook have a track record of winning civil cases across Texas.
Now you know you’re being represented by lawyers trusted by the community and respected by their peers. We’re always willing to go the extra mile to get you the best possible settlement for your land.
Are You a Victim of Eminent Domain?
Get the Compensation You Deserve! Call Us For a FREE Case Review to Know What Your Case Is Worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a condemnation case?
Condemnation is the legal process through which a government can acquire a private property for public use.
What rights do property owners have in government takings?
Here are 5 essential rights property owners are entitled to in condemnation cases:
- Guarantee that land is solely being acquired for public purpose
- Due process for settling the case
- Just compensation
- Reimbursing expenses
- Legally contesting the condemnation process
How can property owners contest offers and seek full compensation?
Government agencies will often try to rush you into signing a lowball offer. They are known to get property appraisals that reflect a decreased market value.
By hiring an experienced eminent domain lawyer, you can get your own professional appraisal to counter their offer.
What types of properties are susceptible to takings?
The follow types properties susceptible to takings under eminent domain laws:
- Residential properties
- Agricultural land
- Commercial properties
- Industrial properties
- Special-use properties
What challenges do special-use properties face in condemnation cases?
Special-use properties like churches, schools, and institutions are limited in their functionality. Their layout and design fulfill a unique purpose. These limitations may lead to a diminished property value.
Recognizing the function of special-use properties is important to properly compensate and relocate owners.
How does the firm achieve results?
At Wyly & Cook, we care more about the results we produce than the number of cases we take up. We treat every case like it’s going to trial so that you get the fastest high-value property settlement. We’re willing to put our money where our mouth is when it comes to the results we produce.
Firstly, you don’t have to pay us a dime until we win your case. You only have to pay us a fixed percentage once your case is settled. Secondly, we will fight to get you a higher offer than the initial offer presented to you by government agents.
What is the reputation of the firm in the field?
Our experienced team of eminent domain lawyers are ranked among the top 100 Houston Super Lawyers in the field of civil litigation.
What do clients say about their experience with the firm?
A huge part of our clients come to us through referrals. We’ve built a chain of trust that keeps growing by helping our community members get fairly compensated.
We do the talking in court, but we believe in letting our clients talk about the results we deliver.
Check out our client testimonials on our website to see how we’ve successfully settled several cases like yours.
