Minnesota Law Schnitker & Associates P.A.

Lawyer Gal

Feel free to call us toll free at

1-800-553-2092

Local phone number is 763.252.0114

or email us at

kirkschnitker@gmail.com

MINIMUM

COMPENSATION LAW

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OUR SERVICES TO PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS and OTHER ATTORNEYS

Schnitker & Associates, P.A., a Minneapolis law firm, focuses on governmental taking relocation rights and issues. Schnitker & Associates, P.A., can help to ensure that your rights are protected and you are receiving all benefits required by the law. Attorneys at Schnitker & Associates, P.A., have extensive knowledge and experience to protect your rights as a business owner, homeowner, tenant or property owner. By making thorough, well-documented claims and legal arguments, our clients achieve the maximum relocation payments possible under the law.

We represent clients in Minnesota, as well as other states. If you or your business is forced to move or you have eminent domain related issues we can help. Make certain you know your rights better than the government who often times don’t know this area of the law and don’t want you to know it either. Knowledge equals money in these matters.

In addition, we are experienced in eminent domain issues. We can also work with condemnation attorneys effectively in the areas of fixtures and the moving of personal property and related compensation. Attorneys at Schnitker & Associates, P.A., are knowledgeable in aspects of administrative law as they relate to the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act.

In the aftermath of the United States Supreme Court Kelo decision, Schnitker & Associates, P.A., has been involved in Minnesota eminent domain reform, as well as, related relocation reform. This involvement has included testimony at the Minnesota Legislature.

MINIMUM COMPENSATION - EMINENT DOMAIN

As part of the Eminent Domain Reform Bill recently passed by the Minnesota legislature, the legislature adopted Minnesota Statute § 117.187, which created a new way to determine the amount of money a property owner is supposed to be paid when their property is going to be acquired by the government. This new process is known as "minimum compensation". Based upon this new minimum compensation statute property owners that must relocate as a result of the acquisition of their property by the government must now be paid the higher amount of: (1) the appraised fair market value for their property; or (2) the cost to purchase a comparable property located in their community. Because this is such a new concept in the area of eminent domain and condemnation law, there are many attorneys that are not familiar with the legal issues that need to be resolved to maximize the compensation a property owner must now be paid for their property. However, based upon our experience and understanding of this new law, Schnitker & Associates, P.A. is at the forefront in resolving these complex legal issues. For that reason we can provide valuable assistance to persons having their properties acquired by the government and we can, at no cost to you, assess your case to determine if you are being adequately compensated for the taking of your property by the government.

Schnitker & Associates, P.A., is here to help you as a displaced person or business. In addition, we can assist other attorneys to thoroughly meet their clients’ needs.

CAPX 2020 PROJECT

“BUY THE FARM” ELECTION

As a potentially affected property owner, you may be aware of the CapX 2020 project, which is a joint initiative of 11 transmission-owning utilities, including Xcel Energy, in Minnesota and the surrounding region to expand the electric transmission grid. This project will result in the placement of high-voltage power lines and the towers used to support those power lines across hundreds of properties throughout Minnesota. Many persons are concerned with the potential health effects, as well as the aesthetic impacts, this project will have upon them and their properties. As a result of the intrusive nature of these high-voltage power lines, the Minnesota legislature passed a statute, which states that power companies cannot force certain property owners to share their property with those power lines. If a property owner is faced with the placement of high-voltage power lines on their property, they can compel the power company to acquire their entire property through a negotiated acquisition or by eminent domain if those negotiations fail. This statute is commonly referred to as the “Buy the Farm” statute. However, in order to invoke the Buy the Farm statute, the property owner must inform the power company of their election in a timely manner. Failure to do so will result in the property owner being barred from exercising their rights and will mean that the property owner has to live with the effects of the high-voltage power lines and towers. There are many attorneys that are not familiar with the legal issues involved in invoking the Buy the Farm statute and the process for obtaining maximum compensation for their client’s property. However, based upon our experience and understanding of this law, Schnitker Law Office, P.A. can provide valuable assistance to persons facing the placement of high-voltage power lines on their property. If this is happening to you, we can, at no cost to you, assess your case to determine if you should be invoking your rights under the Buy the Farm statute.

Schnitker & Associates, P.A., is here to help you and insure your rights. In addition, we can assist other attorneys to thoroughly meet their clients’ needs.