January 5, 2017
MICHAEL J. RANKIN reports a recent case where the Court granted Plaintiff's request to file a Notice of Claim outside of the ninety (90) day filing requirement prescribed by the New Jersey Tort Claims Act (TCA).
Generally, the TCA applies to tort actions against public entities (including State, any county, municipality, district, public authority, public agency and any other public subdivision or public body in the State) and their employees, and requires persons with claims against public entities and/or their employees to notice them of the claim within 90 days of accrual of such claims. Failure to satisfy the notice requirement can result in an absolute bar to recovery against a public entity and its employees.
In this case, Plaintiff was injured due to a slip and fall in(...)
November 21, 2016
On behalf of Kozyra & Hartz, LLC and the Nutley Family Service Bureau, we want to thank you and all of the other attendees and guests for your participation in Kozyra & Hartz, LLC's 2016 Annual Wine Down & Holiday Food Drive.
As always, it was a pleasure to see old friends and meet new ones and to introduce you to each other in a relaxed and festive atmosphere where we can talk to each other, but it is especially rewarding when we can share our good fortune with others. You helped us raise needed cash donations and deliver a carload of food for the needy, which will be available for the upcoming holidays and in the weeks after for those in need.
The Law Firm has been hosting this event for several years now, and we hope you will join us in future efforts.
Thank you(...)
November 1, 2016
MICHAEL J. RANKIN reports that Governor Christie recently signed into law a Transportation Trust Fund bill which made material changes to the New Jersey Estate Tax. Commencing on January 1, 2017, the New Jersey estate tax exemption will increase from $675,000 to $2,000,000. Beginning on January 1, 2018, the New Jersey estate tax will be eliminated in its entirety.
The New Jersey inheritance tax is unaffected by the new law. However, the changes to the New Jersey estate tax should reduce the death tax burden for many New Jersey families.
Please contact Michael J. Rankin if you have any questions or need any assistance in connection to this subject.
October 24, 2016
BARRY A. KOZYRA has been named to the Certified Mediator List by the District Court of New Jersey for a term of three years. A description of the Mediation Program and the services it provides may be found at http://www.njd.uscourts.gov/mediation. The role of the Mediator is to assist the parties in reaching a resolution of their dispute. One of the key advantages of mediation is that, if successful, it enables parties to avoid the time and expense of discovery and trial.
Mr. Kozyra also serves as a Civil, General Equity and Probate Mediator in the New Jersey State Mediation Program, as well as a Private Mediator.
September 2, 2016
Michael J. Rankin reports a recent case where the Court declined to permit a decedent's testamentary bequest to a charitable foundation because the foundation was not formed prior to the decedent's death.
The decedent's Will, dated December 16, 2008, included a charitable bequest to a foundation in his family's name. However, the attorney who drafted the Will advised the decedent at the time of preparing the Will that the decedent had to form the foundation in order for the gift in his Will to pass to it. Decedent was further informed that if the foundation remained unformed at the time of his death, the charitable bequest would lapse and go to the Estate's residuary beneficiaries.
The decedent passed on March 10, 2013, and the charitable foundation did not exist at that time. (...)
