New Jersey Neighbor Dispute Attorney

Our Neighbor Property Dispute Lawyers in Hackensack, NJ Help Clients Involved in Litigation Issues With Their Neighbors in Bergen County, Essex County, Hudson County, Passaic County, and Throughout NJ

Despite the old adage that “good fences make good neighbors,” neighbor disputes are unfortunately a common occurrence. Disputes between adjacent and nearby property owners can arise from the placement of a fence, or they can involve nuisance complaints, boundary disputes, the rights and obligations afforded by an easement, or challenges to land use or zoning applications. A New Jersey neighbor dispute attorney from The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. can help you navigate your legal dispute with your neighbor. 

Our experienced real estate attorneys work diligently to protect the rights and interests of our clients when they find themselves in a real estate dispute with a neighbor. We understand the anxiety and stress that a legal dispute with a neighbor can cause. That’s why we try to resolve your matter as efficiently as possible while ensuring that we secure the best possible outcome for you in your case. 

If you find yourself in a real estate dispute with a neighbor or multiple neighboring property owners over the use and enjoyment of your properties, turn to a New Jersey neighbor dispute attorney from The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. to learn more about your legal rights and options for pursuing a favorable resolution of your case. 

Laws Governing Property Neighbor Disputes in New Jersey

In New Jersey, some of the most common sources of neighbor disputes and how they are handled under state law include:

• Tree damage/tree trimming — Many neighbors get into disputes over trees on or near the property line. For example, one neighbor may want to trim the branches of a tree that hangs over their property, while the trunk of the tree is located on a neighbor’s property. The trimming of neighboring tree branches in New Jersey is permitted, but only up to the property border. A tree cannot be harmed by a property owner removing a neighbor’s approaching tree limbs. A nuisance can include branches, roots, or limbs that cross a property line. In New Jersey, you are entitled to compensation for actual damages if someone damages your tree (usually, what you paid for the tree or what it would cost to replace the tree).
• Property boundaries — Neighbors can also come into a dispute over where the boundary between their properties is located. This can impact the activities that one of the neighbors may want to do on their property, such as building an accessory structure (which, under local land use ordinances, may be required to be located a certain minimum distance from a property line). A property deed normally has descriptions of the location of property lines, which a surveyor can help confirm.
• Boundary fences — Property line disputes can also come up in the context of boundary fences, including natural fences like hedges or artificial wooden or chain link fencing. According to boundary fence regulations in New Jersey, fences in agricultural regions need to be four feet and two inches tall and sturdy enough to prevent cattle or horses from getting through them. Additionally, barbed wire cannot be used in a border fence without the consent of the next property owner. Unless they choose to leave their lands vacant and open, neighbors who share a border and use it for pasturage or animal habitation are required to maintain a “partition fence” between their properties. Lastly, two members of the township committee where the property is located decide on issues involving fences or boundary lines.
• Wandering animals — Domestic or domesticated animals that wander onto a neighbor’s property may not be taken by the neighbor for their own benefit. New Jersey law states that if you come across a stray animal, you have to give the animal back to its owner. In fact, most states demand that you make an effort to return a wandering animal to its rightful owner before claiming ownership.
• The right to farm — The Right to Farm Act in New Jersey helps farmers, neighbors, municipalities, and counties resolve issues over farm operations. If a problem can’t be addressed informally, the Act provides a formal review process. Under the Act, anyone aggrieved by a commercial farm must make a complaint with the County Agriculture Development Board (CADB) before launching a lawsuit. New Jersey’s Right to Farm Act is strong because neighbors and local governments can’t sue commercial farms first. These objections must first be heard by the CADB or State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC), bodies that understand farm needs. The Act protects reputable commercial farmers against nuisance litigation and overly restrictive local rules. However, case law has affirmed these principles, and CADBs and the SADC must use discretion when issuing official Right to Farm rulings. Case-by-case decisions must weigh each party’s interests, local ordinances, and public health and safety.

How a New Jersey Neighbor Dispute Attorney from The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. Can Help Protect Your Rights and Interests

A New Jersey neighbor dispute attorney at The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. can help you when you find yourself in a legal dispute with an adjoining or nearby property owner by:

• Thoroughly investigating and reviewing the underlying facts and circumstances of the dispute, including reviewing deeds, chain of title, plot maps, and other documents and evidence.
• Going over your legal rights and options with you, including the strength of your legal position in the dispute, and paths you can take to try to resolve the dispute with your neighbor or neighbors.
• Negotiating on your behalf with your neighbors or their representatives to try to reach a resolution or settlement that is favorable to you.
• Pursuing your rights and interests in court or at trial when applicable. 

Contact Our Firm for a Confidential Consultation to Speak to a New Jersey Neighbor Dispute Attorney about Your Legal Matter

Don’t put your property rights or reputation in your community at risk when facing a dispute with a neighbor. Contact The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. for a confidential consultation to learn more about how a New Jersey neighbor dispute attorney can help you pursue a favorable outcome to your legal matter that protects your legal rights and interests. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Neighbor Disputes in New Jersey