If you’ve received an eminent domain notice about your home in Hillsborough County — whether you’re in Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Temple Terrace, or another community — it can feel sudden and unfair. One day you’re planning your life. The next, you’re being told the government needs your property for a road, utility, or other project.
You shouldn’t have to guess whether the offer is fair, whether you have to move, or what happens next. Florida law gives you important rights, and you don’t have to face this alone.
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Tell us briefly what’s happening with your property. An eminent domain team member will review your notice and contact you to explain your options — at no cost to you.
Eminent domain is the power of the government — and certain agencies — to take private property for a public purpose. In Hillsborough County, that may involve highway expansions, new intersections, transit projects, schools, utilities, or other public improvements.
But that power is not unlimited. Under Florida law, your property cannot be taken unless:
Florida’s eminent domain rules, including those in Chapters 73 and 74 of the Florida Statutes, apply statewide — whether your home is in Hillsborough, Brevard, or any other county. That means Hillsborough County homeowners have the same core protections as everyone else in Florida.
You have the right to:
Our role is to help you understand those rights in plain English and use them to protect your home and your family.
Not every eminent domain case looks the same. Some Hillsborough County homeowners are told their entire property is needed. Others are told the project will only take a few feet off the front or side of their yard. Both situations matter.
In a full taking, the government acquires your entire property — house and land. The key questions become:
You deserve to know that any offer you receive reflects what your home is genuinely worth, not just a convenient number for the agency.
In many Tampa Bay–area projects, the agency seeks only part of a lot — often along busy corridors and commuter routes. That might involve:
Even if your house remains standing, a partial taking can:
Florida law recognizes that your remaining property — the remainder — can be worth less after a partial taking. You may be entitled to compensation for:
We work with experienced appraisers and experts to identify all of the ways a project affects your daily life and your home’s value — not just the square footage on a map.
Quick-Take: When the Government Moves Before the Trial
In some Hillsborough County projects, agencies use a process often called “quick-take.” This allows them to seek possession of your property before a jury decides what full compensation should be.
This can happen quickly — sometimes faster than homeowners expect. You might be told that construction is moving forward and feel like you have no say.
But quick-take does not mean:
You still have the right to:
Because quick-take can change your timeline for moving or making decisions, it’s important to speak with an eminent domain attorney as soon as you receive notices, court papers, or hearing dates. We help Hillsborough County homeowners understand what’s happening and what can be done next.
No Upfront Fees for Hillsborough County Homeowners
A common fear is: “I can’t afford a lawyer on top of everything else.”
In many Florida eminent domain cases, the law requires the condemning authority — the government agency or other entity taking your property — to pay the property owner’s reasonable attorney’s fees and certain costs.
In practice, that usually means:
You shouldn’t have to choose between protecting your home and paying a lawyer.
In the eminent domain cases we handle, there are no upfront fees for homeowners.
During your free case review, we’ll explain how fees and costs work in your situation so you can make an informed decision without financial pressure.
When your home is threatened by a project in the Tampa Bay area, you need a law firm that sees more than a parcel number on a map. You need a team that understands how disruptive this is and is committed to standing beside you.
We start by listening. We want to understand your property, your family, and your concerns before we talk strategy.
Our team knows how Florida’s eminent domain laws work, how agencies approach these cases, and how to build strong claims for full compensation.
We translate complex legal procedures into straightforward updates, so you always know what’s happening and why.
You didn’t cause this. You deserve answers, straight talk, and a team that treats your home and your time with respect.
First Steps After an Eminent Domain Notice in Hillsborough County
If you’ve recently received a notice, letter, or lawsuit about your home, the first 7–14 days can be crucial. Here are practical steps you can take right now:
Set the notice somewhere safe and read it carefully. Look for dates, deadlines, or hearing information, even if you don’t understand everything yet.
You may be asked to sign agreements, releases, or “permission to enter” forms. Don’t sign until you’ve had the chance to talk with an attorney whose job is to protect your interests.
Collect closing paperwork, old appraisals, surveys, property tax records, and any letters or emails you’ve received from the agency. These can all help evaluate your case.
Document your property as it is now: your yard, driveway, landscaping, fences, and how close your home sits to the road. Write down how you use your property and what you’re worried about losing (parking, privacy, safe access, etc.).
Before meeting with the agency’s appraiser or negotiator, get a free review from a lawyer who represents homeowners, not the government.
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