Minnesota Eminent Domain Lawyers
Private Taking and Lakeshore Disputes
Has the city or a neighbor taken action to deprive you of your property? The law firm of Patrick Burns & Associates offers aggressive representation to fight the attempt or ensure you are properly compensated.
We represent homeowners, lakeshore owners and commercial property owners in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota in condemnation proceedings, adverse possession litigation and related disputes. Contact us today for a free consultation about your rights and your options.
Condemnation ("Eminent Domain")
If a municipal entity has proposed or initiated condemnation of your property, our skilled trial lawyers have the strong experience in real estate law, land use and civil litigation to stand up for you.
We can respond to formal condemnation, in which the city or county intends to take possession of all or part of your land. We have also sued for inverse condemnation when the city's use of property essentially amounts to a taking of adjacent private property.
We can fight the condemnation itself by challenging the "public use" justification, but the law and legal precedent is squarely behind the municipality. More often, our role is to ensure that a property owner is properly compensated for the land. We will go to court to fight for fair market value as well as reimbursement for relocation of a home or business.
Adverse Possession
Minnesota law provides a formal process for staking a claim to adjacent land based on a pattern of use over time. For example, if a neighbor's winding driveway crosses through the back lot of your family's northwoods cabin and has for 40 years, that neighbor can bring an action to formally acquire that strip of land. You could protest the adverse possession itself or demand compensation for the taking.
We represent either party in adverse possession cases
- If you are seeking to acquire adjoining property by prescriptive easement, we will argue that the use was established, never challenged, and perhaps necessary for access to your property.
- If you are fighting the easement, we will argue that the use was not known to you or not disclosed to you by prior owners, that formal objections were raised, or that the use was not continuous over the years.
Adverse possession often comes down to boundary line litigation, especially on lake property in northern Minnesota, where boundaries may be based on inaccurate surveying and platting performed 50 or 100 years ago. It may be necessary to hire surveyors and have the court officially redraw the lot lines.
These disputes can be nasty, but ultimately they are fact-driven. Our attorneys understand the law and the relevant data necessary to back up your legal position. Call our St. Louis Park office at 866-291-4854 for a free initial consultation.
