HANDBOOK CONTENTS I The Power of Eminent Domain II The Eminent Domain Process • What are the general steps involved in an eminent domain proceeding? • Does the government have to make me an offer for my property before going to court? • Can I get a copy of the government's appraisal report? • Do I have to accept the government's offer, or can I try to get a higher price? • Does the government have to give me notice before deciding to take my property by eminent domain? • What is a "Resolution of Necessity"? • Can the government take possession of my property before the final value is determined? • What do I do if I don't agree with the amount of the government's deposit? III Just Compensation IV Retaining an Attorney
	THE CALIFORNIA EMINENT DOMAIN HANDBOOK Chapter II: The Eminent Domain Process What do I do if I don't agree with the amount of the government's deposit? If you believe that the condemning agency's deposit of probable compensation is too low, the property owner may apply to the court for an order requiring an increase in the amount of the deposit. Only upon a very strong showing that the deposit is much too low will the court grant such a request for an increase in the deposit. Generally, the property owner's remedy will be to litigate the amount of compensation at trial or try to settle the amount of compensation before trial. Again, asserting a claim for greater compensation in the eminent domain action often results in the owner obtaining higher compensation than that offered by the condemning agency. Experienced eminent domain counsel should be contacted to discuss your specific case. Usually, your case can be handled on a contingency based on a percentage of the amount the attorney obtains over and above the amount of the condemning agency's offer. In other words, the property owner owes the attorney no fee (other than reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs) unless the attorney obtains more than the amount of the condemning agency's offer.
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