Texas law gives property owners meaningful protections. Before an entity can condemn your land, it must confirm that it holds eminent-domain authority, provide you with the State’s Landowner’s Bill of Rights, and make a good-faith, or “bona fide,” written offer. You have the right to adequate compensation, the right to hire your own appraiser, and the right to negotiate the terms of any easement or deed. Understanding these rights early can make a significant difference in the outcome.

Not every taking is proper. A condemning entity must be acquiring your property for a legitimate public use, and it must follow the procedures the law requires. We examine whether the entity truly holds condemnation authority, whether the stated public use is valid, and whether the notice and offer requirements were met. In the right circumstances, these challenges can stop a taking or reshape its terms.

“Adequate compensation” means far more than a quick, low offer. It includes the fair market value of the property taken and, in a partial taking, any reduction in value to the land you keep — known as damage to the remainder. Lost access, changes in use, and the presence of an easement can all affect what you are owed. We work with qualified appraisers and other experts to document the true value of your loss and pursue every dollar you are entitled to.

Many condemnations do not take your entire property — they take a strip for a road, or an easement for a pipeline or transmission line. These partial takings raise complicated questions about how the remaining land is affected and what restrictions the easement places on your use of it. We review the proposed easement terms carefully, negotiate protections, and make sure you are compensated for the full impact on your property.

If you and the condemning authority cannot reach an agreement, the entity files a condemnation petition and the judge appoints three local landowners to serve as special commissioners. These commissioners hold a hearing and assess the compensation owed. Either side may object to the award and take the matter before a court. The process carries strict deadlines at every turn, and missing one can cost you dearly. The Hyde Law Firm guides you through each stage — from the first offer through the special commissioners’ hearing and, if necessary, trial.