Valuation lies at the center of Arizona condemnation law, as property owners are compensated based on the property’s fair market value, and diminution to that value.  And given that the government is always the opposing party in a property owner’s condemnation or inverse condemnation action, it makes little sense for property owners to accept the government’s appraisal as the basis for calculating just compensation.  Instead, property owners facing condemnation should work with an attorney who can protect their Arizona property rights and ensure they are justly compensated.

Why an Eminent Domain Attorney to Determine Valuation?

An Arizona eminent domain attorney is best equipped to spot all of the issues relevant to developing an accurate appraisal.  A proper valuation should consider issues such as the property’s specific characteristics, the property’s marketability, the property’s location, trends in development, demand for the property, and the best possible use of the property.  While an attorney might seek expert advice on some valuation issues, a condemnation appraisal must take place in the context of the laws and cases that establish precedent in Arizona eminent domain law.  As such, an eminent domain attorney is uniquely situated to handle land valuation issues.

Other Valuation Issues

Valuation issues are not limited to condemnation actions, so people turn to attorneys with valuation experience in a variety of other contexts as well.  For instance, because property tax liability is based on the property’s value, valuation is central to property tax appeals.  Further, personal representatives often require an accurate valuation to properly handle a probate matter, as do trustees in bankruptcy proceedings.  And lastly, valuation issues come up in many commercial settings where a transaction hinges on the value of a particular asset or property.  In each of these situations, a valuation attorney can be essential to a positive outcome.