Burlington County

Burlington County, New Jersey: A Legal Guide

Burlington County, located in southern New Jersey along the Delaware River, is a diverse area with a rich history dating back to the colonial era. As the largest county in New Jersey by area, Burlington County encompasses a wide range of legal issues that residents, businesses, and visitors may encounter. This article provides an overview of some key legal considerations in Burlington County.

Superior Court

The Burlington County Superior Court has locations in Mount Holly and Burlington City[3]. This court handles more serious criminal indictments, civil lawsuits exceeding $15,000, foreclosures, family court matters like divorce and child custody, and appellate cases from municipal court. The court has dedicated parts that specialize in different legal practice areas.

For example, the family division presides over divorce, alimony, child support, and domestic violence restraining orders[4]. The civil division handles lawsuits and contract disputes between individuals, businesses, and government entities. And the criminal division manages felony indictments – such as drug distribution, aggravated assault, robbery, and sex crimes – from arrest through trial and sentencing.

Family Law Considerations

Family law issues like divorce, child custody, and domestic violence see many filings in Burlington County each year. The family courts aim to resolve these sensitive cases in a fair manner that protects the best interests of any children involved[5]. The judges can order supervised visitation, anger management counseling, drug testing, and other conditions as part of custody and visitation orders.

New Jersey also allows for joint legal and physical custody, where parents share decision-making authority and split the parenting time schedule. Mediation is often used to reach agreements on custody and parenting time matters. But when disputes cannot be resolved cooperatively, the family court will order an arrangement after holding a hearing.

Real Estate & Foreclosures

With its mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas, Burlington County has a robust real estate market. Home sales, commercial development projects, landlord-tenant matters, and foreclosures keep the county’s real estate attorneys busy. The Superior Court’s civil division adjudicates foreclosure cases, and many matters settle through mediation or short sales.

It is important for homeowners struggling with mortgage payments to respond to foreclosure complaints and seek legal assistance. Doing so can open up alternatives like loan modifications, repayment plans, or “cash for keys” deals that allow a graceful exit rather than an eviction.

Wills, Probate & Estate Planning

Burlington County has a sizable senior population, so wills, estates, and probate matters represent a significant area of legal practice. The Surrogate’s Office inside the Superior Court building in Mount Holly handles probate filings and disputes over wills. Contested estates can easily rack up hefty legal fees, so executing clear wills and trust documents is critical.

Estate planning attorneys in Burlington County can also help clients establish wills, powers of attorney, living wills, and trusts. These instruments allow you to express your wishes, avoid probate, and ensure your assets pass to chosen beneficiaries after your death.

Business & Commercial Law

Burlington County has a blend of small businesses and major employers, along with retail complexes and industrial parks. This creates an ongoing need for business and commercial legal services related to formation, contracts, regulatory compliance, zoning, employment issues, and litigation.

Attorneys regularly appear before municipal planning and zoning boards on behalf of their business clients. The Superior Court’s civil division handles commercial lawsuits, such as breach of contract claims between businesses or liability disputes involving customers. New Jersey also has specialized tax courts that hear appeals of IRS decisions and tax authority rulings.

Municipal Governments

Burlington County contains 40 separate municipal governments, spanning urban cities, first-ring suburbs, rural townships, and bedroom communities. The municipal governments have their own police forces, zoning and planning boards, and town councils that enact local ordinances.

Residents and businesses often require legal counsel to navigate municipal approvals, seek variances or permits, resolve code enforcement citations, or challenge property tax assessments. Experienced attorneys well-versed in municipal law can advocate for clients before local boards and officials in Burlington County’s many towns.

Conclusion

This overview covers just a sample of the wide-ranging legal issues and proceedings that take place in Burlington County. The local bar association and online lawyer directories provide resources for finding attorneys who handle specific practice areas. Because Burlington County is quite large geographically, it helps to choose a lawyer with offices located nearby your home or business. With competent legal advice, you can achieve favorable outcomes on municipal, family law, real estate, business, and other matters that arise in Burlington County.