Is
the government required
to pay me relocation
benefits before I move?
Will
the government pay
me for my loss of
customers caused
by my move?
Can
I be evicted before
I receive relocation
benefits and damages
for loss of goodwill?
What
happens if the agency
changes its mind
midstream about condemning
my business or property?
How
much will this cost
me?
When
should I get in contact
with a lawyer?
Still want
to learn more? Check
out the links below:
Citizen Joe
Castle Coalition
Institute
for Justice
Is
the government required
to pay me relocation
expenses before I move?
You are entitled to relocation benefits according to the law. These benefits
include a statutory benefit for 1) reestablishment (usually capped at
$10,000), 2) search (usually capped at $1,000), and 3) costs for relocation.
A recent bid for relocating a food services client of ours included:
All necessary inspections
and sign-offs; engineering
in-house; phone and
computer cables - tech
fees included; security
system; all required
demolition and clenaup;
construction materials
and handling; installation
or modification of
customer's cabinets
and shelving; storage
systems for food; all
required concrete,
cutting, trenching
and backfiling; permit
and fees.
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Will
the government pay
me for my loss of customers
caused by my move?
The California Constitution guarantees that you will be justly compensated
for loss of business goodwill. In order to qualify for such compensation,
your tax returns must show that your business operates at a profit. Under
certain circumstances, we may also be able to recover the higher rent
you may be paying in your new location.
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Can
I be evicted before
I receive relocation
benefits and damages
for loss of goodwill?
We have seen agencies try to evict our clients to avoid paying relocation
benefits and to avoid paying compensation for loss of business goodwill.
We have successfully opposed such efforts in court by arguing that these
attempted evictions constitute retaliation against our tenant clients.
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What
happens if the agency
changes its mind midstream
about condemning my
business or property?
If a Resolution of Necessity is in place establishing the agency's "need" for
your property/business and the condemnation is halted, you can recover
for all costs/fees expended to date. These costs include filing costs
and expert fees. You should not be out-of-pocket for even one dime if
the agency halts its project.
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How
much will this cost
me?
While we provide all
of our clients with
the option to retain
us on an hourly basis, nearly
all of our clients
prefer to hire us on
a contingent fee basis.
With a contingent fee
arrangement we only
get paid if we obtain
more money for the
owner than the initial
written offer made
by the agency.
The client is responsible
for the costs of hiring
any needed expert witnesses
and the costs directly
related to any court
proceeding. Expert
witnesses will almost
always include an appraiser.
Most cases do not require
an expert other than
an appraiser. Costs
associated with a court
proceeding may include
filing fees, service
of process fees, deposition
or trial transcripts,
mediator charges, or
other charges directly
related to the legal
process.
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When
should I get in contact
with a lawyer?
It's never too soon to call and ask questions. At Century Law Group LLP our
goal is to put all property and business owners on equal footing with
the government. That is why we encourage your calls, and for your sake,
the earlier the better. Owners do not always know the details of condemnation
proceedings, and can be taken advantage of by government agencies. A
simple thing, such as hiring the wrong appraiser, can negatively impact
your case. Don't let that happen to you. Contact Us.
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