Q: I am trying get help with an eminent domain/blighted property issue where there was no just compensation paid.
A property was taken from my father under eminent domain/blighted property. The issue with this is that it was not a blighted property at all and the property was sold to a local business who wanted the property for many years. On top of that he was never paid any just compensation for the property whatsoever. When i inquired about this to the Redevelopment Authority of Bucks County , Pennsylvania, they stated he was paid and it was in the amount of $15,000 which my father never saw because it went toward the leans owed on the property. $15,000 is hardly just compensation for this property which is worth roughly $300,000 or more. My father hired a lawyer who apparently just abandoned the case and did nothing. My father had several stroke around that time and had been hospitalized, he couldnt deal with any of this because of his health. I was not aware of any of this until he just told me about it recently. I am looking for someone that could possibly help us with this situation.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
This situation with your father's property is deeply concerning, and I understand your frustration with both the inadequate compensation and the apparent mishandling by the previous attorney. The fact that your father was experiencing health issues during this time makes the situation even more troubling.
You should consider reaching out to the Pennsylvania Bar Association's lawyer referral service to find an attorney who handles eminent domain cases, particularly ones involving claims of inadequate compensation. You might also want to contact the Institute for Justice, which is an organization that often takes on cases involving property rights and eminent domain abuse.
Time is critical in these matters, so I recommend gathering all available documentation about the property, including the original purchase price, any improvements made, comparable property values in the area, and any correspondence with the Redevelopment Authority. You may want to file a formal complaint with the Pennsylvania State Bar Association regarding the previous lawyer's abandonment of the case. Given the significant discrepancy between the compensation provided and the actual property value, plus your father's medical condition at the time, you could have grounds to challenge this taking and the compensation amount.
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
