Austin Probate Lawyer

Proposition 7

Up until November 6, 2007, if the government took your property through eminent domain (the power to take private real estate for public use, with or without the permission of the owner) and then doesn’t do anything with the property for 10 years, the original owner is eligible to re-purchase the property at the fair market value of the property at the time of re-purchase.

Proposition 7, passed by Texas voters on November 6th, allows the government to sell the property acquired by eminent domain to its immediately previous owner (the person from whom the government bought the property) at the original purchase price, if “the pubic use of the property has been cancelled, if no progress is made toward that public use by a prescribed deadline, or if the property is unnecessary to accomplish that public use.”

This new amendment treats owners more fairly and stops indiscriminate use of eminent domain. It treats owners more fairly because it allows them to buy pack property at the price which the land was taken from them, possibly against their wishes. It stops indiscriminate use of eminent domain because it encourages governmental entities only to exercise eminent domain when there is a specific and immediate plan for use of the property. This in turn protects property owners.

If eminent domain is an issue with your property, the Texas Business lawyer and Texas Real Estate lawyer of Slater and Kennon are here to help with any and all of your questions. They have experienced lawyers ready to take on the world at your behest.

Centrally located in the Arboretum area of north Austin, the Slater & Kennon law firm represents clients in Travis County, Bastrop County, Burnet County, Williamson County, and Hays County, including the cities of Austin, San Marcos, Bastrop, Burnet, and Georgetown.