Hillsville Land Condemnation Lawyer
Land Condemnation in Virginia: Understand the Basics
Land Condemnation Through Eminent Domain
Through a legal process called ‘eminent domain’, government entities have considerable power to take control of private land for public use. Land condemnation is a highly technical, complex, and emotionally charged issue. Unfortunately, in most cases, it is very difficult for private landowners to stop land condemnation outright. That being said, not all eminent domain proceedings are valid. Private property owners do have important legal rights. In some cases, land condemnation can be halted. Regardless, you are entitled to due process and just compensation for any land taken. The government cannot take private property without providing full financial compensation for the fair market value of the property.
Private Landowners are Owed Just Compensation
In practice, obtaining just compensation can be challenging. Government actors are not always willing to offer private parties the full financial compensation that they are owed under the law. This is where our Hillsville eminent domain lawyers can make all of the difference. If you or your business is currently facing a condemnation proceeding, it is imperative that you consult with an experienced land condemnation lawyer in Virginia as soon as possible. You only have a limited amount of time to protect your legal rights and financial interests. We have experience representing Virginia landowners in condemnation and eminent domain matters involving a wide range of entities, including:
- The Virginia Department of Transportation;
- Appalachian Power Company, Duke Energy, and other utility companies;
- Cities, towns, counties, and municipal government entities;
- The Commonwealth of Virginia; and
- The Federal government.
Defending Land Condemnation in Virginia: No Public Purpose
In order to stop a land condemnation in Virginia, a landowner will typically need to establish that the government’s proposed taking of property is not for a public purpose or public necessity. Indeed, eminent domain powers only extend to projects of legitimate public use. How public use is defined varies, to some degree, from state to state. Notably, in 2012, Virginia voters overwhelmingly supported Ballot Question 1, which both put the burden of proving the taking is for public purpose on the government and narrowed the definition of public use. In other words, Virginia voters strengthened the legal protections for private landowners. Of course, land condemnation cannot be stopped in every case. When a taking is going to move forward, property owners must receive full fair market value for the “best and highest use” of their land.
Why Work With the Hillsville Land Condemnation Lawyers at The Jackson Law Group
Our team has a deep and personal understanding of land condemnation and eminent domain issues. Growing up, our Virginia attorney Thomas M Jackson Jr. saw Interstate 77 built right through his family farm. He has made it a personal mission to ensure that Virginia landowners are treated fairly and compensated properly. From the moment you reach out to our law office, we will work tirelessly to protect your rights. More specifically, our Hillsville, VA land condemnation attorneys will:
- Conduct a comprehensive, confidential assessment of your case;
- Explain your legal rights and legal options;
- Investigate the matter, obtain relevant evidence; and
- Put together a persuasive case to stop the taking or maximize compensation.
We provide fully personalized legal representation to our clients. Our team has extensive experience helping landowners negotiate for better settlements. With a proven record of success handling a wide range of legal cases, our Carroll County land condemnation lawyers have helped to obtain millions in financial compensation for property owners in Virginia.
Discuss Your Case With Our Hillsville Land Condemnation Attorneys Today
At The Jackson Law Group, our Virginia land condemnation lawyers provide strong, effective legal representation to individuals, businesses, and organizations. If you have any questions about land condemnation and your legal rights, we are here to help. For a confidential, no-obligation case evaluation, please contact our law firm right away. From our office in Hillsville, we serve communities throughout the region, including Carroll County, Grayson County, Patrick County, Wythe County, Floyd County, the City of Galax, and Pulaski County. CONTACT OUR FIRM