Your Land Is Your Land
You hear that a new road, utility line or pipeline may be coming near your property. Your first question may be simple: What does this mean for my farm? Infrastructure projects can affect rural properties in different ways. Even when construction takes place on only a...
Land use often turns into a tug of war in fast-growing Georgia. You might run a nonprofit animal shelter that serves your community daily. Yet developers or officials may label your land as "unnecessary." They often push for new roads, utilities or private projects....
When tree trimming crews show up without warning, many property owners feel caught off guard. One day, the land looks familiar. The next, crews cut back mature trees, scatter branches and remove privacy or shade. Property owners in North Georgia communities often face...
Receiving an official-looking envelope from the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) with an offer to buy your land can be intimidating. While you might feel pressured to accept it, that first offer is almost never their best. The reason is simple. The...
Easements provide real property access to parties other than owners. Some easements allow neighbors to access water. Others allow utility companies to use part of a property for power lines or other infrastructure. Easements serve a critical purpose by facilitating...
Projects for public benefit sometimes require government intervention. State statutes in Georgia allow government authorities and businesses hired to complete major projects for public benefit to purchase real property. Under eminent domain statutes, property owners...
Eminent domain laws protect the rights of the public and the government at the expense of individuals. When a large project requires real property, eminent domain laws allow for the forced sale of private property. The organization preparing for a highway expansion or...
Homeowners and businesses located near a busy road or highway may initially feel excited about a newly-announced expansion project. More traffic could mean an increase in property values or revenue for the business. However, highway expansions and similar projects can...
Those who own real property usually have the right to decide when to sell that property to another party. Occasionally, the law does allow government entities to force the sale of a property for the completion of certain projects. Projects intended for the public...
Trees are valuable for a variety of reasons. Homeowners in Georgia may have an emotional investment in a tree if they planted it. Beyond that, the tree can add value to the property as a source of future revenue. It can also reduce cooling costs during the summer and...
