Why Hire an Eminent Domain Attorney?

The law is complex, full of interpretation and deadlines, and for those unfamiliar with it, very unforgiving. Don’t let your chance for fair compensation get away. Let us fight for you.

Let's talk

Hiring an Eminent Domain Lawyer: A Guide

Eminent domain is complicated, and an attorney can be a lifesaver in a sea of complicated legal jargon, government appraisals, property valuations, and eminent domain laws. People who decide to take on the government on their own and fight for a better offer for their property often find themselves overwhelmed and almost always settle for far less than their case is worth.

It’s difficult to remain objective when the government informs you that they are taking your property. How do you protect your rights? By hiring a condemnation attorney.

Do I need an eminent domain attorney?

We think most people who are facing land condemnation can benefit from the guidance and counsel of an experienced eminent domain lawyer who is familiar with GDOT and its condemnation procedures. The government will compensate you regardless, but hiring an attorney will almost always get you more compensation in our experience.1

Condemnation lawyers who have read multiple government appraisals will be more apt to identify potential mistakes and omissions, and they can suggest when compensation is also needed for improvements or damages to the remaining property. Hiring an eminent domain law firm is the first step toward building a strong case.

A concerned man reading an offer from the GDOT worried about easements, takings & condemnation.

If the government has already offered you compensation, in Georgia you must file within 30 days to try to get more, and an attorney can help expedite the process.

Eminent domain litigation can be complicated, especially for someone who does not deal with it on a day-in, day-out basis. Call the Georgia Eminent Domain Law Firm at 1-888-391-1339 for a free case evaluation.

How can an eminent domain attorney help me?

An eminent domain attorney can help you verify that the government is taking your property to serve a public need and fight for just compensation for your property.

The various ways a lawyer can help you navigate the complicated eminent domain process include:

  • Identifying possible future issues created by the taking
  • Analyzing the appraisal and pointing out errors
  • Helping you recognize if the compensation offer is too low
  • Hiring independent surveyors, civil engineers, appraisers, and environmentalists
  • Advising you on what to say to the government appraiser
  • Negotiating on your behalf with the condemning authorities
  • Litigating in court, if needed

Why hire an eminent domain attorney now? Because the government has a team of lawyers and appraisers working for them. You should have a team supporting you as well.

What are the benefits of hiring an attorney before GDOT makes me an offer?

By hiring an eminent domain lawyer before the government makes you an offer, you will be in an advantageous position to react to their offer. Remember: You don’t have to wait until the government makes an offer on your property. As soon as you receive notice, it’s the ideal time to contact an attorney to start working on your case – firms like ours don’t charge up-front costs, and we only take a percentage of compensation received above and beyond the government’s original offer.2

We front all costs & guarantee you'll pay nothing if we don't get you more than the government's offer.

The attorney can immediately begin:

  • Researching the project to ensure that it is truly for public use
  • Gathering information about comparable property values
  • Reviewing deeds and agreements
  • Building a case about the impact of the project on your property
  • Preparing you on how to interact with the appraiser so that you don’t say something that could result in a lower appraisal value

You may even be able to convince GDOT that their plans should be changed in the early stages if your lawyer can show that the proposed change would save the government money. While this does not happen often, it almost never happens if the project is in the later stages of development.

It’s important to know that hiring the Georgia Eminent Doman Law Firm before GDOT makes you an initial offer will not cost you any additional funds. When the government gives you an initial offer, if we think it is fair, we will tell you that, and you will owe us nothing. Even if we have represented you for months, you will not owe us anything.

How much does an attorney cost?

The only fee you pay an eminent domain firm that works on a contingency fee basis, like our firm, is a percentage of the amount recovered above the original government offer for your property. In addition, we also front all costs, and you don’t have to pay us anything if we don’t obtain a better offer from the government.2

Contact the Georgia Eminent Domain Law Firm today for a free case evaluation.

contingency fee example diagram

At what point should I hire an attorney for my eminent domain case?

You should hire an attorney as soon as you find out that your property is going to be taken under eminent domain. The government will notify you of a planned taking well in advance of negotiations, and there will be public hearings and meetings about the project. You may even be visited by GDOT or see someone surveying the property.

It’s simple to know when to contact an eminent domain attorney: the moment you learn of the proposed taking! What you do, or do not do, from that point on can negatively impact your case.

What should I look for in an eminent domain attorney?

If you have received notice of a governmental taking of your property through eminent domain, we recommend that you seek out an eminent domain attorney who has handled many different kinds of condemnation cases in Georgia.

In addition to prior experience, look for the following:

  • Resources to front the cost of any professional services needed, such as surveys and appraisals
  • Familiarity with GDOT and condemnation procedures
  • Detailed knowledge of eminent domain law and state statutes
  • Connections with professional land planners, engineers, surveyors, appraisers, and environmentalists
  • Trial experience

Some eminent domain attorneys represent both the condemning authority and the property owner. You should be aware of this fact before you make a final decision about who you want to represent your interests.

At the Georgia Eminent Domain Law Firm, we only represent property owners, and we fight to try to get our clients the best outcome from their eminent domain taking. Contact us online today for a free case evaluation.

Why should I hire the Georgia Eminent Domain Law Firm?

The Georgia Eminent Domain Law Firm knows condemnation law and cares about protecting the rights of property owners. Our team has more than 90 years of combined experience fighting to protect our clients’ rights and trying to maximize the value of their properties.

In fact, since we’ve been in business, we’ve increased the offer for our clients by more than 197% on average!1

We have resources, experience, knowledge, and a sincere desire to help property owners. We use proprietary software that keeps track of important deadlines and ensures a systematic process. And we have established relationships across the state with professionals who help us assess property values and damages to remaining property.

David Needham, one of our eminent domain attorneys, has handled hundreds of eminent domain cases across the state of Georgia from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Florida border, as well as in major cities like Atlanta and Savannah and smaller ones like Moultrie.

David has contested takings or value with the following government agencies:

  • Georgia Department of Transportation
  • City of Savannah
  • City of Atlanta
  • Town of Milton
  • Cherokee County
  • Forsyth County
  • Columbia County
  • Rockdale County

The Georgia Eminent Domain Law Firm is confident in our work, and we guarantee that you will pay nothing to us if we aren’t able to get you more than the government’s original offer – regardless of the number of hours worked on your case and the hiring of any outside professionals throughout the process.2

We can help you fight the taking of your property and try to get you the additional compensation you deserve. GDOT has lawyers working hard on its side, and so should you. Call us today at 1-888-391-1339.

Get a free case
evaluation today.

There are only a handful of attorneys in GA who practice eminent domain exclusively. And even fewer with DOT experience. That’s why it’s always worth it to get a free case evaluation.

Here’s how it works:

1) Tell us about your situation.

2) We research your property as needed, using DOT maps, our own technology, and experience to see the exact effects.

3) We let you know what we think a fair offer would be. This evaluation is free, and there’s no
pressure or obligation to hire us after.

But please don’t wait to act. Waiting can hurt your case, and the cost is the same: free.

Phone Icon 1-888-391-1339

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.