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NORTH CAROLINA EMINENT DOMAIN ATTORNEYS

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Eminent Domain Attorneys in North Carolina

Eminent domain is a term that refers to the power of a condemnor—whether federal, state, local government, or other authorized private entities—to acquire private property for a public use. Entities commonly use this power for public facilities, utilities, and/or road right of way.

Unfortunately for private landowners, public use is broadly defined, and some affected landowners can find that their property is being condemned for dubious purposes. Even when reasons are justified, some property owners feel inadequately compensated for the inconveniences and far-reaching impacts of an acquisition. Landowners should work with an experienced eminent domain attorney in North Carolina to fight for their rights.

At Sever Storey Walker, the mission of our eminent domain lawyers in North Carolina is to help property owners who are facing eminent domain and condemnation. We aim to hold condemners accountable for the land they wish to acquire, whether they are local, state, federal, or other entities. We‘ve represented hundreds of landowners and have handled eminent domain cases ranging from small pipeline acquisitions to large highway projects.

When you work with our North Carolina eminent domain attorneys, you can be sure that you’re dealing with qualified attorneys who can represent you and help you get just compensation.

 

What Are Your Rights Regarding Eminent Domain in North Carolina?

Landowners subject to eminent domain often fear they have no rights. The government or utility company may have the authority to take your property to complete a project, but regardless of the project size, you have rights as a property owner. Consulting an eminent domain attorney in North Carolina can help you fight for these rights.

Public Use

If challenged, a condemning authority must prove that its use of eminent domain is necessary for public use. On some rare occasions, a landowner may be able to successfully stop a taking by demonstrating a taking does not meet the definition of “public use.”

A North Carolina eminent domain attorney can challenge this by showing that the project does not qualify for "public use." An attorney can point out that the property or part of the property in question is unnecessary for the project, or the project, itself, is not for the public’s consumption. This argument, however, is difficult and requires a fact-intensive analysis of a landowner’s situation. A qualified eminent domain attorney should be able to evaluate the likely success of these types of arguments.

Just Compensation

For eminent domain acquisitions, the government must provide just compensation to affected property owners. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 40A-63 states that the compensation should be based on the property's fair market value before filing the eminent domain and land condemnation petition.

However, more often than not, the amount that condemning authorities offer is not equal to what you deserve for your property. In addition, it may not factor important variables, including proper land valuation, impacts on the property’s value, and possible relocation costs..

Having an experienced eminent domain attorney in North Carolina during the condemnation/eminent domain process in North Carolina can help assure that you get the fair compensation you deserve for your property.

 

Should You Fight Your North Carolina Eminent Domain Case?

Although it may be overwhelming to figure out your next steps after receiving an eminent domain notice, you must remember your rights as a property owner and remind yourself that you can fight for them.
Condemnation brokers sometimes scare property owners unfamiliar with the process into accepting low-ball offers. If you don't have a lawyer representing you, you risk losing out on fair compensation for your property.

 

Contact Us to Get the Best Eminent Domain Attorney Available

With over fifty years of combined legal experience, you can rely on Sever Storey Walker when dealing with eminent domain. You’ll be dealing with eminent domain specialists when you choose us because our entire firm focuses on this area of law.

If you have any questions for our North Carolina eminent domain lawyers or would like a free consultation, contact us online or at 888-318-3761 to reach our legal team.

FAQs

Eminent Domain and Just Compensation in North Carolina

North Carolina law requires that a condemnor seeking to acquire property under threat of eminent domain first issue an offer of compensation to the landowner whose property is being acquired. Often, this offer is supported or buttressed by an appraisal. North Carolina law also mandates that the acquiring agency engage in good faith negotiations with landowners prior to initiating eminent domain.

While in theory these requirements help protect the landowner from getting low-balled, in practice, these guide rails still do not guarantee that an unrepresented landowner will get what he or she is entitled to. For example, an appraisal is simply a third-party’s opinion of the value of your property. Appraisers hired by condemnors often fail to fully consider aspects of a property in order to produce a lower number for the condemnor. Additionally, engaging in “good faith negotiations” does not require that a condemnor accept (or even consider) a landowner’s position of value. An appraisal can be created, and good faith negotiations can be conducted, and a landowner can still lose its valuation battle with a condemnor.

When should I contact a North Carolina eminent domain attorney?

As soon as you learn that your property will be acquired. When it comes to eminent domain, you can never enlist attorney assistance too early. In fact: the earlier, the better. The last thing you want as a landowner is to wait until the last minute and be ill-prepared for a condemnation lawsuit. This is where landowners often get burned.

Why should I hire an attorney when I can negotiate myself?

You should not negotiate yourself because you are not equipped to know what your land is worth or what you should be getting. Illinois eminent domain law is a tricky animal. It allows for several landowner-friendly arguments and crevices within the law that, if properly pursued, can result in much more compensation than what is offered. A landowner cannot possibly be expected to have the knowledge or expertise to explore these arguments. An experienced North Carolina eminent domain attorney can deftly maneuver the eminent domain laws to an outcome much higher than expected for a landowner.

How can I afford an eminent domain attorney in North Carolina?

The attorneys at Sever Storey work on a contingency fee basis—meaning our attorneys only get paid if they secure more compensation than what is offered by the condemnor. Unlike other attorney-client relationships, the contingency fee agreement incentivizes our attorneys to seek as much money as possible.

If you are unsure if you have a case for more compensation, the Sever Storey attorneys will review your case FOR FREE. Just give Jordan Walker a call at 888-318-3761 or shoot him an e-mail at jordan@landownerattorneys.com, send him your appraisal, and we will review it FOR FREE. No strings, no invoices, no bills, just an honest assessment of your case for compensation.

Inverse Condemnation in North Carolina

When land is taken or damaged and the landowner has not been served a complaint or declaration, it is known as “inverse condemnation.” To file for compensation for inverse condemnation by the NCDOT or NCDOA or a local public or private condemnor, the landowner must generally file an inverse condemnation complaint[4] within 24 months of the date the affected property was taken or the completion of the project involving the taking, whichever is later, although there are exceptions to this rule.

Eminent Domain Relocation Costs in North Carolina

In situations where a condemnor forces a business, organization, or landowner to relocate from a property, the entity being moved is not only entitled to compensation for its property interest, it is also entitled to compensation to assist it in relocating to a new location.

The amount, and type, of relocation an entity may receive for relocation is dependent on what is being relocated. For example, a family being moved out of their house is entitled to traditional moving expenses and a differential payment between the value of its old property and the value of a new property (if there is one). A business, however, is entitled to an entirely different set of expenses--including re-establishment costs. Much like in their compensation offers for the property itself, condemnors consistently undervalue the cost involved in relocating businesses. A qualified eminent domain attorney should be able to properly evaluate your relocation compensation in addition to your just compensation.

What are the Limits of Eminent Domain in North Carolina?

A condemnor’s power of eminent domain is not unlimited. Prior to, and during, condemnation proceedings, a putative “taker” must follow certain laws and procedures in order to perfect its authority. For example, a North Carolina condemnor must: 1) Provide adequate notice of the acquisition. 2) Engage in good faith negotiations with the landowner in North Carolina. 3) Put the acquisition to a bona fide "public use".

If a North Carolina condemnor does not follow these requirements, a landowner may be able to raise a successful challenge against the condemnor and stop the acquisition in its tracks. These types of challenges are fact-specific, and a qualified eminent domain attorney should be able to analyze your set of facts and see if a challenge is possible.

How Long Do Eminent Domain Cases Take in North Carolina?

Eminent domain cases depend almost entirely on the speed by which the condemnor chooses to operate. Cases that can be resolved pre-suit usually resolve themselves within a couple months. Cases that require litigation usually last between 12-18 months. Where and when your case resolves traditionally depends on the complexity of the case and how poor the condemnor’s offer is. A good rule of thumb is that the bigger the difference in opinion between the parties, the longer the case takes.

Can Eminent Domain Be Stopped in North Carolina?

In some rare cases, eminent domain can be stopped. As identified above, there may be certain circumstances where a condemnor does not follow the law, and in these instances, a landowner may be able to challenge or stop an acquisition. An attorney familiar with these instances will be able to advise a landowner on whether a landowner’s circumstances warrant a challenge.

More commonly, however, an eminent domain attorney helps to increase compensation and other benefits associated with the taking of land by the government.

NORTH CAROLINA EMINENT DOMAIN AMENDMENT AND THE REQUIREMENT OF PUBLIC USE AND BENEFIT

North Carolina has a long-recognized requirement that an eminent domain action be for the public use and the public benefit. Recent legislative activity reflects that lawmakers have a desire to narrow the requirement through a state constitutional amendment.

The North Carolina General Assembly, House Bill 3 [1], is entitled: "AN ACT TO AMEND THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTION TO PROHIBIT CONDEMNATION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY EXCEPT FOR A PUBLIC USE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT OF JUST COMPENSATION WITH RIGHT OF TRIAL BY JURY IN ALL CONDEMNATION CASES, AND TO MAKE SIMILAR STATUTORY CHANGES."

The proposed amendment would add a Section 19.1 to Article I [2] of the North Carolina Constitution. The following text would be added by the proposed measure's approval:

“Sec. 19.1. Eminent domain. Private property shall not be taken by eminent domain except for a public use. Just compensation shall be paid and shall be determined by a jury at the request of any party.”

The amendment had overwhelming support in the N.C. House, where it passed by a vote of 113-5. Although the bill could theoretically appear on the May 3, 2016 ballot in North Carolina, the fact that the General Assembly will not reconvene for it next legislative session until April 2016 makes this unlikely. Nevertheless, landowners and legislators can continue to advocate and support this constitutional change.

Public Use and Public Benefit

The current two-part test will remain the legal standard until there is such a legislative change. The North Carolina Court of Appeals recently illustrated the current public use and benefit analysis in the case of “Town of Matthews v. Wright” [3], Case No. COA14-943. The opinion of the court provides that a taking of land by a local government must be for both a public use and a public benefit. In that instance, the Town could not show a public benefit, and thus it improperly exercised its eminent domain powers.  The case involved multiple legal appeals and a long saga where a municipality pursued its condemnation case based in part upon personal conflicts between the Town and the landowners. learn more]

It is unclear how this case would be read in conjunction with House Bill 3, which specifically requires only “public use”, but the House Bill supporters have generally wanted to make it harder to condemn private property for a project that is not purely public. In order to allow this measure on the North Carolina ballot, it will need to make it out of the state Senate by a 60% vote. Property owners can contact their state representatives to advocate for important eminent domain reforms that will further prevent abuse of this state power and protect the rights of landowners.

Contact an experienced North Carolina eminent domain lawyer for assistance

Eminent Domain Projects in North Carolina

Asheville I-26 Connector

I-26 Connector, from I-40 to US 19/US 23. New Multi-Lane Freeway

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Barwell Rd

Widen Barwell Rd from Rock Quarry Rd to Berkeley Lake Rd

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Big Mill Farm Rd

US 421 / Business 40 TO NC 66 (West Mountain Street). Widen Big Mill Farm Rd and SR 2659 (Hopkins Rd) and contruct interchange at US 421/NC 150/Bus 40.

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Brevard Rd

This project plans to widen the road from SR 1180 (Blythe St) to SR 1173 (White Pine Dr).

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Camden Rd

Camden Road Proposed Improvements from Future I-295 to Hope Mills Road.

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Corridor K Improvements

Improve mobility and reliability between U.S. 129 in Robbinsville and the existing four-lane section on N.C. 28 at Stecoah.

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East Durham Railroad Improvements

Straighten existing railroad curvature between CP Nelson and CP East Durham and includes a combination of grade separations and closures at Ellis Rd south end (734737a), Glover road (734735l), and Wrenn.

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Gordon Rd

Widen Gordon Rd from I-40 to US 17 (Market St)

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I-40 Corridor Improvements

I-40 is a major corridor that many commuters rely on. As taffic has become more conjested, improvements to the highway have become necessary.

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I-95 Fayetteville

Widen I-95 to a total of eight travel lanes south of Fayetteville between mile markers 22 and 37.

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I-95 Lumberton

Widen almost nine miles of I-95 to a total of eight lanes in Lumberton between mile marker 13 (I-74) and just south of exit 22.

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Johnson St/Sandy Ridge Rd

Improvements to Johnson Street/Sandy Ridge Road between I-40 and Skeet Club Road in the city of High Point

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Murchison Rd

This project plans to widen from NC 210 (Murchison Rd) from I-295 to US 401 Bypass.

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NC 105 Widening

Widen 4.5 miles of N.C. 105 between Foscoe and Boone as well as replace the Watauga River bridge on N.C. 105 in Boone.

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NC 107 Expansion

NCDOT has plans to add a 17.5-foot grass median and 5-foot bike lanes along NC 107 to the NC 116 intersection.

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NC 211 Widening

Improvements to approximately 15.4 miles of N.C. 211 between U.S. 15/501 in Aberdeen and east of West Palmer Street (S.R. 1244)/Mockingbird Hill Road (S.R .1311) in Raeford in Moore and Hoke Counties.

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NC 49 Corridor Improvements

N.C. 49 from John Kirk Drive to I-485, realigning Back Creek Church Road, and closing the existing Back Creek Church Road at-grade crossing of the North Carolina Railroad.

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NC 55 Widening

Widen NC 55 from South of SR 1532 (Oak Grove Church Rd) to NC 42.

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NC 62 Improvements

Improve N.C. 62 near the interchange with I-85 and realign the intersections of N.C. 62 and Kersey Valley Road and Weant Road in Archdale.

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NC 73 Widening

Widen N.C. 73 from Davidson-Concord Road in Mecklenburg County to U.S. 29 (Concord Parkway North) in Cabarrus County to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion at the intersections along N.C. 73 (Davidson Highway).

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Ranch Rd Extension

Extend Ranch Road on new location between U.S. 70 Business and Little Creek Church Road and to re-align the intersection of Ranch Road and Little Creek Church Road.

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SR 1170 Improvements

Realign and extend White Street (S.R. 1170) from Willow Road (S.R. 1171) to U.S. 176 (Spartanburg Highway). Included in this project is to replace Bridge over Mud Creek (Bridge 229). Project U-6049 proposes to widen the Bridge over Mud Creek (Bridge 143) to five lanes along N.C. 225 from South King Street to U.S. 176.

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SR 1237 Improvements

Improvements to Carthage Street (S.R. 1237) from Fire Tower Road (S.R. 1152) to U.S. 1 Business/N.C. 42 (Wicker Street) in Sanford.

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SR 1556 Improvements

Improvements of SR 1556 (Wayne Memorial Dr) from SR 1003 (New Hope Rd) to US 70 Bypass

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SR 1577 Widening

Widening of Archdale Road (S.R. 1577 / S.R. 1004) from Robbins Country Road (S.R. 1567) to North Main Street (S.R. 1009) from existing three and two lanes to three lanes with a center turn lane in Archdale

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SR 2500 Improvements

The plan for this project is to Convert the existing grade change into an interchange.

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US 19/129 Improvements

Proposed improvements to U.S. 19/129 from the Georgia state line to U.S. 64/74 in Cherokee County. The purpose of the project is to improve traffic flow and safety along the U.S. 19/129 roadway.

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US 64 Brevard Improvements

Improve access management along U.S. 64/U.S. 276 from Fortune Cove Road to U.S. 64 Business (North Caldwell Street) in Brevard.

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WIlinson Blvd Improvements

As traffic increases in the area a plan has been proposed to improve and widen US 74 (Wilkinson Blvd) from Market St to SR 2015 (Alberta Ave).

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Wilkinson Rd Widening

Widen Williamson Rd to four lanes from Brawley School Rd to NC 150.

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WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA OFFICE

Address:
301 N Main St
Suite #2406
Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Phone:
(336) 892-8806 (Local)
(888) 318-3761 (Toll Free)
(336) 245-1154 (Fax)

Email:
shiloh@landownerattorneys.com

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

What are the unique issues that face commercial property owners in condemnation that can make all the difference?

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POWERLINES & PIPELINES

Landowners forget this one thing when dealing with utility companies that want an easement across their land.

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ROAD & REDEVELOPMENT TAKINGS

What you need to know to be treated fairly by the condemning authority.

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CONTACT US

Before going alone against the State let us give you our opinion. It is our pledge that we will provide a free case review for any individual or business facing eminent domain or condemnation. Contact us now at 888-318-3761

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