Our Rails-to-Trails Guides & Resources For You
When landowners first receive a letter from us, often the question is, “Why am I getting this letter? I do not own the land in the railroad corridor.” What we ask of the landowners is to give us a chance to educate them about why they have a claim. The bottom line is that we have done our investigation, and we are contacting you because we are here to help, and no one else is telling you that your land may have been taken. SWS has many educational materials to share with landowners about how and why their property rights are affected when a rail-trail conversion is taking place along their property. Feel free to download any of the materials directly below:
The Landowners’ Guide to the Trails Act
Rail-to-trail conversions are only possible thanks to the Trails Act, an act of Congress that allows railroads to offer up their railroad rights-of-way for public recreational hiking and biking use in lieu of abandonment. But what is the National Trails System Act, otherwise known as the Trails Act, and why does it lead to just compensation for landowners?
This guide intends to provide those answers.
Rails-to-trails FAQ
Here at Stewart, Wald & Smith we have spoken with thousands of clients over the years, and answered many questions about rails-to-trails cases. Check out our resource that answers many of the rails-to-trails frequently asked questions.
10 questions to ask before hiring a Rails-to-trails attorney
You may have heard some news in your community about the inactive railroad next to your property. You may have heard that the quiet railroad corridor that hasn’t seen a train in decades is going to be transformed into a recreational trail that would invite the general public into your back yard. Or maybe you received a letter from a law firm telling you about your rights when it comes to a rail-trail conversion along your property.
Any of these scenarios can get landowners thinking about what to do when it comes to hiring an attorney to represent them and protect their property rights.
Finding a good attorney is hard.
- How can you be sure you are hiring the best?
- How do you know how much success a firm has had with these types of cases?
- How legitimate is the firm?
To feel confident in your decision in hiring an attorney, you need to ask questions. Choosing the right attorney is important.
