Eminent Domain

Eminent domain is the legal system that allows the government to lay claim to the real property of an individual or business. Either through a negotiated sale or a condemnation, the state government can effectively force a property owner to transfer ownership to...

Eminent domain, condemnation, and inverse condemnation are all related to the government's ability to take private property for public use. While they are related concepts, they have distinct differences – and it’s smart to know the terminology being thrown around if...

The government typically cannot take your land without providing you with some type of compensation. This doesn’t mean that they can’t take it for certain purposes, which is why eminent domain laws were created. There are times when they will need to use a property...

When you purchase a piece of property, you may find out that it has an existing easement. It’s worth noting that this should be disclosed to you before you make the offer. The seller has to tell you that the easement exists so that you can take it into account when...

Most property owners in Georgia expect to retain possession of their real property until they decide the market is right for them to sell or they die and pass the property on to their children. Although it is rare, some people will lose their real property to...

As a property owner, it’s important to take steps to make your property more valuable, not less. Unfortunately, sometimes there are things that the city will want to do that could have a negative impact on the value of your property. For example, if the city wants to...

Farming may be a way of life for your family, or it may be a passion for you specifically. Whether you inherited your farmland from your parents, took over your grandparents' farm or purchased property to pursue your dream, your land is your lifeline and your source...

If you invest in real estate, especially if you buy a commercial property on a busy road, you expect that investment to maintain and even improve its value over time. While real estate often trends upward, certain factors can influence the value of your investment. An...

There is a popular cultural belief that progress and development help everyone. People will sometimes say that a rising tide lifts all boats. That may be true, but the same tide could destroy a boat that is anchored at a level lower than what the water rises to...

They say that it is pointless to fight city hall. However, property owners can fight a local, state or federal government’s claim of eminent domain as part of the Fifth Amendment’s Takings Clause. The owner has an opportunity to fight for their property during a...