New Jersey requires each driver to have an auto insurance policy with “personal injury protection” or “PIP” benefits. As part of New Jersey’s no-fault auto insurance legislation enacted in 1972, the Legislature required all auto insurance policies to provide “personal injury protection” or “PIP” benefits. What is Personal Injury Protection?…
New Jersey Lawyers Blog
Condominium Associations
Community associations are an important part of New Jersey’s housing environment. There are three main types of community associations in New Jersey: condominium associations, cooperative boards (“co-ops”), and homeowners associations. Condominium associations are the most common. When a person buys a condominium, they are buying title to the property unit,…
Drafting New Jersey Arbitration Agreements is Important if at a Later Date a Dispute Arises
In New Jersey nobody can be forced to arbitrate a dispute unless there is an agreement to do so beforehand. Arbitration agreements are controlled by the Federal Arbitration Act and the New Jersey Arbitration Act. Arbitration is a process that utilizes a neutral third party to decide a dispute. Disputes…
New Jersey Court Rules – Changes for 2013 and 2014
New Jersey’s Constitution tasks the State’s Supreme Court with creating rules to govern the practices and procedures in the New Jersey court system. The first set of rules went into effect on September 15, 1948. Every year thereafter, the Supreme Court organizes an annual Judicial Conference to consider new amendments…
New Jersey Employers Must Take Discrimination Complaints Seriously or Face Significant Consequences
New Jersey employers should be wary to take all allegations of retaliation or discrimination seriously or face significant consequences. New Jersey employment law provides some of the strongest protections in the nation for employees. In New Jersey employees are protected against discrimination and whistle-blowing retaliation. New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination…
Transfers in Contemplation of Death in New Jersey
Gifting your assets to your intended beneficiaries is an effective way to minimize Federal and New Jersey Estate taxes. In order to do so, you must consider the tax implications of making the gift, who will receive the gift, the type of gift, the value of the gift, and the…
Mediation – An Alternative Option for Dispute Resolution
While many lawsuits settle prior to trial, many cases may proceed to the eleventh hour of litigation, just prior to trial, to settle. Though litigation may involve years of depositions, written discovery (questions and sworn answers regarding claims), and motion practice, the parties rarely, if ever, have a chance to…
The Pros and Cons of an FHA Loan
Recently, many potential home buyers have been seeking (“FHA”) loans. FHA lenders will finance up to 96.5 percent of the purchase price for a property, and many buyers are attracted by the low down payment required to purchase a home (3.5 percent). Additionally, FHA lenders will allow a seller’s concession…
Standards for Proving Age Discrimination Can Be Difficult to Navigate
Federal employment law, in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (the “ADEA”),prohibits employers from firing, refusing to hire, or discriminating in compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of a person’s age. Case law has evolved over time regarding the extent to which age needs to influence employer decisions…
Defining Severe Misconduct when Denying Unemployment Benefits
In 2010, the New Jersey State Legislature and Governor Chris Christie revised New Jersey’s Unemployment Compensation Law to combat the significant increase in funds needed to pay unemployment benefits as a result of the rise in the unemployment rate in New Jersey. To achieve this problem of fast-depleting funds for…