inverse-condemnation-complaint

name	inverse-condemnation-complaint
title	Inverse Condemnation Complaint
description	Drafts inverse condemnation complaints seeking just compensation for government takings without formal eminent domain. Use when a user needs a takings clause complaint, inverse condemnation pleading, or property rights constitutional claim involving physical, regulatory, or temporary takings.
author	CaseMark
author_url	https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/inverse-condemnation-complaint
license	Apache-2.0
version	0.1.0
execution_mode	open
jurisdiction	us
practice	real-estate
language	en
tags	["drafting","litigation","pleading"]

Inverse Condemnation Complaint

Draft a complaint seeking just compensation for property taken or damaged by government action without formal condemnation proceedings, under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.

Prerequisites

Collect before drafting:

1. Property docs — deed, legal description, APN, title report, acquisition date/price
2. Government action records — notices, permits denied/revoked, regulatory decisions, correspondence
3. Valuation evidence — before/after appraisals, comparable sales, income loss documentation
4. Administrative exhaustion — claims filed, hearings, variances sought, negotiation history
5. Physical evidence — photos, surveys, engineering reports of damage or occupation
6. Party identification — full legal names of all plaintiff owners and defendant government entities

Quick Start

1. Identify taking type (physical, regulatory, total regulatory, temporary)
2. Confirm ripeness — final government decision obtained and state compensation procedures pursued
3. Choose forum (federal vs. state) and verify jurisdiction
4. Draft complaint sections in order below
5. Validate against pitfalls checklist

Complaint Structure

1. Caption & Introduction

• Title: "Complaint for Inverse Condemnation and Just Compensation"
• State constitutional basis (Fifth via Fourteenth Amendment, state provision, 42 U.S.C. § 1983), taking type, and timeframe

2. Jurisdiction

Forum	Basis	Requirements
Federal	28 U.S.C. § 1331 or § 1343 (§ 1983)	Final decision per Williamson County v. Hamilton Bank [VERIFY]; address Tucker Act inapplicability for state/local defendants
State	State takings provision + inverse condemnation statute/common law	State-specific limitations period; venue where property is located

Allege ripeness: (1) final government decision on regulation/permit; (2) state compensation procedures pursued or shown inadequate/unavailable.

3. Parties

• Plaintiff: Name (as on deed), address, ownership interest type, acquisition date, proportionate interest if multiple owners
• Defendant(s): Official entity name, address, registered agent, responsible agency/department; entity in corporate capacity and/or officials in official capacity