If a government entity has notified you of their intention to seize your land for public use, you probably have several questions. Under federal and state law, the government’s right to take private property and convert it for public use is referred to as the power of “eminent domain.” This process, called condemnation, requires the government to offer “just compensation” to the affected property owners, but it can be difficult to understand your rights throughout this process.
When you face a condemnation or eminent domain issue, you should enlist the assistance of a knowledgeable attorney to ensure that you achieve a fair outcome. Here are four important questions to ask a condemnation attorney before you decide to work with them.
#1. “What Experience Do You Have in the Field of Eminent Domain?”
Eminent domain issues are inherently complex, and they often require a significant amount of negotiation. You’ll want to make sure your attorney has successfully represented property owners in similar situations, and that they know how to implement a strategic plan that aims to secure you an equitable outcome. Don’t be afraid to ask for specifics—if the attorney has guided others like you through similar situations and helped them secure a just amount of compensation, you’re more likely to feel confident in their ability to do the same for you.
#2. “How Much Of Your Practice is Devoted to Condemnation Cases?”
Due to the complex and nuanced nature of eminent domain and condemnation matters, you’ll want to work with an attorney who has a deep understanding of this highly specialized field of law. Simply seeing the term “eminent domain” on a website does not give you an accurate picture of the attorney’s expertise in this area; instead, ask pointed questions about their depth of knowledge and experience with these cases.
#3. “How Can I Expect My Case to Unfold?”
For many property owners facing condemnation, there is a lot of uncertainty and apprehension. When you ask an attorney this question, you can examine their response in several ways. First, you’ll get a sense of what steps to expect throughout the process. Second, you can determine the quality and clarity of the attorney’s communication style—are you able to understand what they are telling you? Finally, you can assess their response for how confident they feel in taking your case; if they seem practical and sure about leading you through the process, you are more likely to put your trust in their hands.
#4. “How Often Can I Expect to Hear From You?”
Clear and timely communication between attorneys and clients is key to building trust, especially in condemnation cases. As a property owner, you are likely experiencing feelings of anxiety and uncertainty, and you’ll want to make sure your attorney will keep you informed of each development as it comes. Ask your attorney how they prefer to communicate with clients—will they respond to your calls promptly? How long does it take them to respond to an email? Once you get a better idea of their communication style, you can determine whether this attorney will be a good fit for you.
Call Sewell Sewell Beard LLC at (205) 544-2350 to discuss your condemnation matter with an experienced and dedicated Alabama attorney today.
No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
