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Is “Discovery” Permitted in a New Jersey Condemnation Case?
In civil litigation, the “discovery” process is a valuable tool for the parties to receive and exchange certain facts, documents, and other information (i.e., evidence) relative to the issue(s) at hand. Most causes of action permit liberal discovery which can be an expensive and timely endeavor for litigants and counsel. However, condemnation cases in New... Read More
Where Does the Government’s Money Come From to ‘Take” Private Property?
If you read the title of today’s post, I can guarantee you that the money does not grow on trees! As you know, the government is required to pay “just compensation” when it takes private property, and that value can vary from hundreds of dollars to multiple millions of dollars depending on the size and... Read More
A Primer on Relocation Benefits in New Jersey
In New Jersey, persons displaced by a governmental taking, assuming they satisfy all statutory requirements, are entitled to relocation assistance under the Relocation Assistance Act, N.J.S.A. 20:4-1 et seq. (state implementation of requirements of federal Uniform Relocation Assistance Law), the Relocation Assistance Law of 1967, N.J.S.A. 52:31(b)-1 et seq. (applicable to all displacements, including condemnation... Read More
The Importance of Condemnation Appraisal in Eminent Domain Cases
Condemnation appraisal plays a crucial role in ensuring property owners receive fair compensation during eminent domain cases. When the government seizes private property for public use, determining the property’s fair market value is essential. This is where professional appraisers come in. Their expertise helps in establishing an accurate valuation, which forms the basis of just... Read More
Real Estate Tax Appeal: Key Differences from Eminent Domain
The real estate tax appeal process can ultimately lead to reduced tax burdens for New Jersey property owners…that is the good news, and our firm specializes in representing property owners across N.J. in those types of cases. However, unique situations may arise during a tax appeal that can pose a dilemma for owners. One such... Read More
SCOTUS “Keep the Change” Tax Sale Case is Already Making Waves in New Jersey
A few weeks ago, our firm blogged about Tyler v. Hennepin Cnty., No. 22-166 (May 25, 2023), which was a huge win in the United States Supreme Court for property owners facing a tax sale due to delinquent taxes. To paint the full picture about Tyler, the property owner failed to pay taxes on her... Read More
SCOTUS Sends Pipeline Eminent Domain Case Back to the District Court
Our blog (and law firm, for that matter) is no stranger to federal pipeline eminent domain cases. Here are some of our prior blog posts about the topic for your reading pleasure. The most recent news comes from the United States Supreme Court in a matter that challenges the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (“FERC”)... Read More
N.J. Appellate Court Rejects Another COVID “Shutdown” Order Challenge
The New Jersey Appellate Division has rejected yet another challenge to one of Governor Phil Murphy’s COVID “shutdown” Orders. At issue in this case was Executive Order 107 (“EO 107”), which became effective on March 21, 2020 and implemented certain social mitigation strategies requiring “every effort to reduce the rate of community spread of [COVID-19.]”... Read More
LA County Agrees to Pay $20 Million for Bruce’s Beach
In November 2021 and August 2022, we covered a story where California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, signed a law authorizing Los Angeles County to return a beach property taken by eminent domain back to descendants of the original property owners. Those blogs can be found here and here. In mid-July 2022, an oceanfront ceremony officially marked... Read More
Weehawken Bans Short-Term Rentals…Fifth Amendment Challenge Coming?
Although home-sharing platforms have exploded in popularity over the past decade, becoming an acceptable way for individuals to earn supplemental income from their properties, several cities along the Hudson River have banned owners from leasing out their properties on a short-term basis citing quality-of-life concerns. In March and August 2022, we blogged about Jersey City’s... Read More
