Whom do we represent?
We represent property owners across North Carolina and South Carolina—homeowners, business owners, property managers, HOAs, churches, nonprofits, and owners of vacant land. No type of property is immune to the threat of eminent domain, and you don’t have to navigate the process alone. If the government or a state agency, municipality or utility company is taking part of your property or even an interest in it through an easement, you deserve a clear understanding of your rights and what comes next.
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What do you charge?
The Justice Firm works on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win. Our fee is one-third (1/3) of any additional compensation we negotiate on your behalf.
In plain terms:
- You keep the entire original offer, minus any amount your lender is entitled to
- Our one-third fee comes only from the money we secure above the original offer
- If we don’t get additional compensation for you, you don’t owe us a fee
You’ll always know how the numbers work, what you’ll walk away with, and how our fee fits into that picture.
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What information do you need from me?
Once you choose to work with us, you’ll complete a short online intake packet. From there, we’ll ask for the government’s offer letter, the appraisal they used, and any other documents that show how the taking affects your property. We’ll guide you through exactly what we need and when.
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How will you assess my property?
We start with advanced tools such as Google Earth, high-resolution aerial imagery, and geographic information systems to obtain a comprehensive view of the property involved in the taking. This view lets us quickly make strategic decisions about your case. When the time is right, and as needed, we’ll bring in the right specialists—such as appraisers, engineers, and surveyors—to conduct thorough on-site evaluations.
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How soon do I need to hire you?
So much of the condemnation process is shaped by early communications. The sooner you have representation, by The Justice Firm or any other, the sooner you avoid possible right-away agent conversations that could hurt your case later on. Early guidance protects both your rights and your compensation.
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What’s the difference between eminent domain and condemnation?
These two terms describe the same overall concept. Eminent domain is the government’s power to take private property for public use. Condemnation is the legal process the government uses to carry out its eminent domain power. Different words, same system.
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What counts as “public use” of a property?
Public use is broader than you might expect. Projects like highways, schools, parks, prisons, airports, and government buildings are obvious examples. But utility expansions, greenways, pipeline routes, new highways, and other infrastructure projects may also qualify. If a project affects your property, the key question isn’t whether it fits a textbook definition; it’s whether the taking is lawful and whether the government’s offer reflects the full impact of the taking.
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How long does the condemnation process take?
The range is wide. Some cases settle within six months, while others take considerably longer—even years. Timing depends on when the project enters right-of-way, whether the property is collateral for a loan, how willing the condemning agency is to negotiate, and whether plans change mid-process. What matters is that you understand each stage before you reach it.
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What if they’re taking only part of my property?
Most takings in North Carolina are partial. But losing even a small strip of land can create real issues, like the road suddenly being closer to you, losing parking or access, or losing privacy due to a greenway. These cases are often more complex because the government should account for both what they’re taking and how the remainder of your property is affected. Having an attorney here makes a meaningful difference because we quantify those effects, so the offer reflects your loss, not just a square-foot calculation.
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How do I know if the government is making me a fair offer?
Chances are you don’t know; call us. A fair offer accounts for the property itself and the ripple effects the taking creates. Too often, the initial appraisal overlooks how you actually use the property and what the loss means in real life.
If you’re a business owner, you know how on-site parking, travel, and access all drive revenue. If construction blocks your entrance, reduces parking, or makes it harder for customers to reach you—even temporarily—that’s a problem, and it should factor into the final number.
If you’re a homeowner, you realize that widening a road can do more than shift a setback line. Noise, safety concerns, and closer traffic all affect how you live in your home and the value of what remains. Those everyday effects matter just as much as the land being taken.
We review the appraisal with practiced eyes, looking at what the property provides, what you stand to lose, and how the taking disrupts your world. Then we identify any legally compensable impacts that may have been overlooked in the initial offer.