You get a notice in the mail or a knock at the door: it's the government with news that your property or business is in the way of a government project – the new school, the freeway widening, the new power line. The government tells you it is prepared to use its power of eminent domain to condemn some or all of your property or business. What do you need to do? And what do you need to avoid doing?

You are not powerless. You have rights, rights specifically protected by the United States Constitution and other laws. Here are some of the basic DOs and DON'Ts that you will need to know to protect your rights and to be compensated fairly...