us-constitution fifth-amendment
Under the 5th Amendment, how much compensation must a government agency pay after it seizes a piece of land?
<p>I have a friend whose property was seized by the city for public use. We think he was underpaid because it was worth more than the City paid. How could this disagreement be prosecuted?</p>

<p>Compensation is normally the "fair market value", i.e. what a willing seller would receive from a willing buyer. Professional appraisals are often used to help determine what this  value would be. </p>

<p>The exact value and whether an appropriate price was paid will depend on the specific facts of the case, both as to value and as to the procedure which was followed to set a price. </p>

<p>If a person thinks that a price offered or paid is too low, consulting a local realtor or appraiser to get an independent estimate of value might be a good idea, and then perhaps consulting a lawyer, preferably local, who has expertise in eminent domain issues. Such a lawyer may well be able to give you some idea if it is worth proceeding in an initial consultation for only a limited fee.</p>
