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“Thanks” To COVID-19, It’s Not Too Late To File A Property Tax Appeal

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
1 May 2020
Like you, we at McKirdy, Riskin, Olson & Della Pelle, P.C. have had to adapt to the current State of Emergency caused by the COVID-19 virus that has upended our normal routines.  First and foremost is that we are all concerned about our health and that of our family and friends, especially those most vulnerable... Read More

NJ Shutdown Challenge – I Can’t Rent My Beach House!

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
1 May 2020
The first apparent challenge to New Jersey’s shutdown orders was filed this week by a Pennsyvlania doctor, who alleges that Governor Murphy’s Executive Orders have resulted in a taking of his Margate beach house – because the orders prohibit seasonal beach rentals and, as a result, he was required to refund a deposit on a... Read More

On Blueberry Hill – Property Owner Seeks Injunction from US Supreme Court

by: Joseph Grather
1 May 2020
Not very sexy to sing ‘I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill Public Golf Course & Lounge’, but these are strange days indeed. The name of the case is actually “Friends of Danny DeVito v. Tom Wolf” but if I were the property owner’s lawyer I would have led with Blueberry Hill…. I digress.  This... Read More

Property Rights Trampled by COVID-19

by: Joseph Grather
22 Apr 2020
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida just denied a temporary injunction to a group of beachfront property owner’s suing to enjoin a governmental Order that temporarily and totally denied their use and enjoyment of private property.  The Order denied access to the owners private beach. If you have 5 minutes,... Read More

Town Looks Gift Horse in Mouth – Gets Bitten

by: John H. Buonocore, Jr.
15 Apr 2020
NJSEA v. Kearny A recent Appellate Division decision affirmed a trial judge’s award of  just compensation concerning the taking by a State agency of a municipal landfill in Kearny.  The award matched the amount of the condemning agency’s appraisal, and both the trial and appellate court’s rejected entirely the municipal property owner’s theory of value. ... Read More

Winning Your Tax Appeal: The Importance of Evidence

by: Thomas Olson
13 Apr 2020
A tax appeal is a critical process for property owners seeking to challenge an assessment they believe is incorrect. Successfully navigating a tax appeal requires presenting sufficient and credible evidence to persuade the Tax Court to reconsider the assessed value. The case of Leena Aggarwal serves as a cautionary tale in this regard. Aggarwal, acting pro se, attempted... Read More

NJ’s Newest Executive Order Forecasts Future Emergency Seizures and Commandeering

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
6 Apr 2020
On April 2, 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order #113, which follows his prior Orders in our current state of emergency, and authorizes the NJ Office of Emergency Management and Department of Health to utlize provisions of the NJ Civil Defense and Disaster Conrol Act “take or use personal services and/or real... Read More

“Almost on time” Doesn’t Count For Tax Refund – Tax Court Orders Town to Pay Interest

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
2 Apr 2020
There is a saying that “early is on time, on time is late and late is unacceptable.” While that is not true in all instances, the New Jersey Tax Court recently found that the payment of a tax refund owed as a result of Judgment issued pursuant to a settlement agreement two days beyond the... Read More

Two Worlds Collide: States of Emergency and Individual Rights

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
30 Mar 2020
Since our last post several days ago, Can the COVID-19 Panemic Allow the Government to Seize My Private Property?, so much has happened in our world that it would be impossible to try and analyze or even digest all of legal issues that the state of emergency has presented relating to property rights and individual... Read More

When Can the Government Take Private Property? Understanding Your Rights During Public Health Emergencies

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
can the government take private property
18 Mar 2020
During public health emergencies, property owners often face a critical question: when can the government take private property for public use? While declarations of national or state emergencies grant government agencies expanded powers, understanding your rights as a property owner is essential. As New Jersey’s leading eminent domain lawyers with over 50 years of experience... Read More