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Eminent Domain

What Type of Property Is Exempt from Eminent Domain in Los Angeles? Know Your Rights

By Peterson Law Group on February 26, 2025

A wooden gavel rests beside balanced golden scales of justice on a courtroom desk. The image symbolizes fairness and due process in California eminent domain law, illustrating property owners’ rights when determining which types of property are exempt from government seizure in Los Angeles.

While the power of eminent domain is broad, not all properties are subject to seizure. California law carves out certain exemptions, and it’s important to know where your property stands.

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Top 5 Mistakes LA Property Owners Make in Partial Taking Cases

By Peterson Law Group on January 20, 2025

A wooden judge’s gavel rests beside golden scales of justice on a polished courtroom desk, symbolizing fairness and balance in law. The image represents Los Angeles property owners navigating partial taking cases and avoiding common legal mistakes in eminent domain proceedings.

If your property in Los Angeles is affected by a government project like a highway expansion, utility easement, or Metro rail extension, you may be facing a partial taking under California’s eminent domain laws. While the government is legally allowed to take private property for public use, you still have rights, and the compensation offered to you is negotiable.

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How Eminent Domain Can Affect Your Taxes in Los Angeles: What Property Owners Need to Know

By Peterson Law Group on January 10, 2025

The downtown Los Angeles skyline under a bright blue sky, featuring modern skyscrapers and colorful mid-rise buildings surrounded by residential neighborhoods and palm trees. The image represents how eminent domain and property tax laws impact property owners across the diverse Los Angeles landscape.

When the government takes private property in Los Angeles under eminent domain, the first thing most landowners focus on is compensation. But there’s another financial consequence that’s often overlooked until it’s too late: taxes.

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Navigating Partial Takings in Eminent Domain: What California Property Owners Need to Know

By Peterson Law Group on October 20, 2024

A judge holding a gavel

Partial takings present a complex challenge for California property owners who find themselves navigating the intricacies of public-use land acquisitions. A partial taking occurs when a government entity or authorized agency seizes only a portion of a property, often leaving the owner with a diminished and potentially less functional parcel. This scenario commonly arises in the context of infrastructure expansion, such as road widening projects, that necessitate the acquisition of strips of private land. The ramifications of such takings extend beyond mere loss of property, impacting the overall value and future utility of the remaining land.

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Can You Challenge an Eminent Domain Taking?

By Peterson Law Group on September 20, 2024

A judges gavel about to hit a small floating house.

In the realm of property rights, eminent domain presents a significant challenge for property owners, particularly in California, where real estate is a valuable asset. When the government exercises its power to seize private property for public use, property owners may feel uncertain about their rights and the compensation they are entitled to. However, there is a pathway to challenge an eminent domain taking, especially if there are concerns regarding the legitimacy of the public purpose, the adequacy of the compensation, or the procedures followed by the authorities.

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The 3 Main Types Of ‘Takings’ in Eminent Domain Cases

By Peterson Law Group on June 15, 2024

An excavator tearing down a house.

Taking is the legal process used by the government to take away private property under the legal doctrine of eminent domain. There are three main types of takings: physical, regulatory, and pro tanto.

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The ‘Public Use’ Requirement in Eminent Domain Cases

By Peterson Law Group on April 15, 2024

Sign that says

Eminent domain allows the government to take private land to build roads, schools, or other infrastructure projects that serve the greater good of the public. In California, it is not acceptable for the government to take away your private property to benefit a private entity.

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2028 Olympics Planning Causes Eminent Domain Disputes in LA

By Peterson Law Group on February 20, 2024

Olympics statue of colored rings.

Los Angeles is getting ready to host the 2028 Olympics, and as a result, there is an urgent need for transportation upgrades to handle the large influx of athletes and visitors. Expanded rail lines, metro extensions, and upgraded hubs are crucial to prevent congestion.

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Defining “Fair Market Value” in Eminent Domain Cases

By Peterson Law Group on January 30, 2024

An assessor wearing a hard hat and a safety vest holding a clipboard and a pen.

Eminent domain, the power of the government to take private property for public use, is a concept deeply ingrained in legal systems. It often raises questions about the fair compensation owed to property owners. Understanding the intricacies of “fair market value” in eminent domain cases is essential for both property owners and the government involved in these cases.

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California Eminent Domain: A Guide for Small Business Owners

By Peterson Law Group on October 10, 2023

A man switching a sign that reads

Eminent domain is the right of the government to take private property for public use. “Condemnation” is the formal act of exercising the power to transfer title to the subject property. Small business owners facing eminent domain pressure may encounter challenges and concerns. Condemnation can cause a business to lose one of its main assets. A business owner who purchased a property years earlier may have to pay significantly more for a comparable space. If the business owned the building outright, the company may have to take on mortgage payments to relocate.

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