Seattle Washington Eminent Domain Attorney | They Aren't Out to Get You

I've helped a lot of people in a lot of Seattle Washington eminent domain cases, and I've helped the government in a lot of eminent domain cases. And one common theme usually exists throughout - the government is not out to get you personally, for any reason, whatsoever. In most cases, you are just the unlucky (or lucky, depending on your just compensation award) landowner that had the property where it was needed for that extra lane of road, or sewage line, or new school. In fact, I have never seen a case where a governmental entity specifically targeted a landowner and took his land for a project they didn't plan on doing before.

With that being said, as a landowner, it is much easier to engage in negotiations, put your best foot forward, and get the most money for your property taken by eminent domain if you approach the situation with a rational mind. And while that may be hard at times, particularly if you have a strong tie to the land, it is what needs to be done to do the best for you and your family. The feelings that you are having, including fear of the unknown, fear of losing your house, sadness of losing your property, and the time and expense of dealing with having your property taken, should not be directed in anger at the governmental entity because it won't do any good. It is best to direct that anger toward doing the work necessary to get the most money possible for your property.

As a Seattle eminent domain attorney I've had the opportunity to work with several landowners dealing with different governmental entities, and the things I've stated above tend to hold true. A project is necessary for the good of the community (usually a road improvement project) and my clients are simply the unlucky ones in the way. The best way to stick it to the government is to get all the just compensation possible out of their eminent domain action. Harsh words and insults toward them won't accomplish that.

If your property is being taken by eminent domain in Washington State, whether it be Seattle, Renton, Spokane, Kennewick, Olympia, Tacoma, Federal Way, Kent, Everett, Woodinville, Redmond, Kirkland, Yakima, Bellevue, Auburn, Puyallup, Vancouver, Mukilteo, Edmonds, West Seattle, or Pullman, you need someone working on your side.