Reference
Where to find the rest
The questions that matter most in a condemnation have state specific answers. These are the places those answers live.
The framework
The law and the programmes
The Uniform Relocation Act
The federal statute governing acquisition practice and relocation assistance where federal funds are involved. Sets the duty to appraise, the duty to offer not less than the approved estimate, and the relocation benefits.
State condemnation statutes
Procedure, deadlines, the measure of compensation and fee recovery are all state law and differ substantially. Start with your state\u2019s department of transportation, which publishes owner guidance in most states.
The Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions
The Yellow Book, which governs appraisal in federal and federally assisted acquisitions.
Local building and housing codes
For condemned structures, which is a code enforcement matter rather than eminent domain.
On this site
The pages owners return to
Your first 30 days
What to do in the first month.
Documents to gather
The file that supports everything else.
Reading the offer
Testing the number you were given.
Should you accept
Weighing the gap against the cost of closing it.
Making a counteroffer
What makes an agency move.
Who pays attorney fees
The question that changes the economics.
Elsewhere in the network
Questions this site does not cover
Valuation and appraisal
How the number is produced and where it goes wrong.
Expert witnesses
Retaining and using experts in a condemnation case.
Tax on the award
Involuntary conversion and the tax treatment of proceeds.
Virginia
State procedure and compensation.
North Carolina
Including the Map Act.
Florida
Including statutory business damages.
Corrections
If something here is wrong
This site is written carefully and it will still contain errors, and law changes. If you find something inaccurate or out of date, write to editorial@eminentdomainclaim.com. Corrections are made promptly.
Not sure what to do next
Most owners are reacting to a document they did not expect. Working through it in order is easier than it looks.