
Eminent Domain Attorneys & Lawyers in Texas
At Sever Storey, our mission is to hold condemners—whether they be local, state, federal, utility or other —accountable to the landowners whose land they are acquiring. Our entire firm is built around serving you, the landowner who is facing eminent domain and condemnation.
Our eminent domain attorneys in Texas have represented hundreds of landowners across the country. We have experience in nearly every type of eminent domain case, including small pipeline acquisitions and large highway projects, and we always work for landowners.
Our depth of experience ensures you will have the expert representation you need and deserve. In sum, we have helped landowners collectively receive millions of dollars more than initially offered by the condemnors.
Right now, we are following a number of projects in the State of Texas, and if one is affecting you, get in touch with our eminent domain lawyers in Texas immediately for a free consultation.
Your condemnation issue is important to us. Please complete the form below or contact us directly with your questions.
What Is Eminent Domain Law in Texas?
Eminent domain is the power of an entity--usually a governmental body or utility--to acquire private land for a “public use.” Eminent domain in Texas is exercised for many reasons, but the most common in Texas are road projects and pipelines.
Whatever the purpose may be, landowners who face eminent domain have the right to hire an attorney well-versed in eminent domain. These attorneys have a specialized skill set to help landowners get fair treatment when their property is being condemned. When a condemnor issues an offer of just compensation to a landowner, a good, qualified eminent domain attorney should be able to assess the sufficiency of the offer and, if necessary, secure more compensation for the landowner.
What Should Landowners Do after Receiving An Eminent Domain Notice in Texas?
It’s easy for landowners to feel overwhelmed or confused about what to do after receiving an eminent domain notice. Many landowners do not know their rights in this situation and aren’t sure where to turn to help.
Fortunately, there are a few simple steps that a landowner can take to protect his or her rights in the event of a potential acquisition. Here’s what a landowner should do after receiving notice that the government intends to take their land.
1. Contact a Eminent Domain Attorney in Texas
The state or federal government has probably spent months or even years researching a landowner’s property. For this reason, it’s vital for landowners to consult with an eminent domain lawyer as soon as they receive an eminent domain notice to know how fair a condemnor’s offer is.
2. Understand Your Rights
It’s also important for landowners to know their rights after receiving an eminent domain notice. Landowners can challenge the taking of their property or refute the amount the state offers in. In either case, it’s essential to hire a condemnation attorney to handle the case.
3. Do Not Negotiate On Your Own
It is important to remember that a landowner may not be aware of all the compensation he or she is entitled to as a consequence of an acquisition. Therefore, landowners that negotiate on their own often miss out on compensation they never knew they could get. Condemnors may take advantage of unrepresented landowners and seize on the opportunity to get a landowner’s property at a bargain price. It is essential that landowners who receive an offer from a condemnor immediately contact an attorney prior to instigating any negotiations with the condemnor.
How Sever Storey Can Help You in Texas
At Sever Storey, our team of eminent domain and condemnation lawyers are here to protect the rights of landowners in Texas.
We have provided legal advice to hundreds of clients involving takings both big and small. Our goal is to ensure that you are fully compensated for the physical taking of your land. In our experience, the condemning authority (entity taking your land) rarely considers all of the damages the landowner has suffered.
Our team of eminent domain lawyers in Texas is here to defend landowners threatened by eminent domain and will fight hard to protect your rights. With offices in Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas, we have a national reach and have represented clients across the country.