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Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

  • 1.  Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Posted 08-29-2015 11:44 AM

    good weekend to all.

    Has anybody ever charged their client the filing fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim since the filing fees were revised.

     

    my concern arises out of http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/forms/11112_courtfees.pdf#page7

     


    ------------------------------
    Robert Goldstein Esq.
    Manalapan NJ
    (732)972-1600
    ------------------------------



  • 2.  RE: Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Posted 08-29-2015 11:55 AM
    Sent from my iPhone




  • 3.  RE: Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Posted 08-30-2015 12:20 PM
    Bob

    According to the link you provided we are supposed to be paying filing fee for answer to counter-claim. If we pay it on behalf of the client it should be billed to the client like any other disbursement.



    Alice M. Plastoris, Esq.
    [email protected]
    Office 973-538-7070
    82 Speedwell Avenue
    Morristown, NJ 07960

    Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S® 5, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone




  • 4.  RE: Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Posted 08-30-2015 01:13 PM

    Alice:that's why I posted it  

    we never were charged prior to this for filing an answer to a counterclaim. I think this is an outrageous charge for our clients who are plaintiffs because if defendant files a counterclaim, it is npw costing plaintiff $475 in filing fees exclusive of the $25 PEA fee if there are minor children  


    ------------------------------
    Robert Goldstein Esq.
    Manalapan NJ
    (732)972-1600
    ------------------------------

    ---------------------------------------


    Original Message:
    Sent: 08-30-2015 12:19
    From: Alice Plastoris
    Subject: Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Bob

    According to the link you provided we are supposed to be paying filing fee for answer to counter-claim. If we pay it on behalf of the client it should be billed to the client like any other disbursement.



    Alice M. Plastoris, Esq.
    [email protected]
    Office 973-538-7070
    82 Speedwell Avenue
    Morristown, NJ 07960

    Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S® 5, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone








  • 5.  RE: Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Posted 08-30-2015 01:17 PM
    Absolutely Agree. But if we don't file answer to counter-claim I believe that would be negligence.
    It is outrageous.
    I just filed notice if appearance in FD matter. $50!



    Alice M. Plastoris, Esq.
    [email protected]
    Office 973-538-7070
    82 Speedwell Avenue
    Morristown, NJ 07960

    Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S® 5, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone




  • 6.  RE: Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Posted 08-30-2015 02:01 PM

    This is up there - at a much lesser level - with some courts' policies regarding mandatory pretrial submissions. Beats the living daylights out of client who aren't swimming in money, while aggravating moneyed client as well. Win-Win!

    ------------------------------
    Curtis Romanowski Esq.
    Senior Attorney - Proprietor
    Metuchen NJ
    (732)603-8585
    ------------------------------




  • 7.  RE: Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Posted 08-30-2015 02:20 PM

    And... Don't even get me started on this one (okay, started):

    To secretary/clerk: "Something quite urgent just cam up on our case that doesn't amount to a Crowe-level emergency, but, it sure could benefit from the Judge's attention. Perhaps we might have a conference call. MAY WE FAX A ONE-PAGE LETTER TO YOUR JUDGE LOL?"

    From secretary/clerk: "Let me ask the judge and get back to you (in a week or two)."

    To secretary/clerk: Several follow-up calls, a) right into voicemail, or b) pointless, because the vicinage does not have voicemail.

    (This can actually be flow-charted.)

    From secretary/clerk (finally): "ABSOLUTELY NOT. LOL MAIL IT."

    To secretary/clerk: "But it's a pretty hot issue. Can we leave a short message?"

    From secretary/clerk: "LOL. Hell no." (Kidding, but interpreting awkward silence.)

    To staff: "Please send this out to Judge and Adversary by FedEx, overnight delivery, and follow up on it tomorrow."

    Staff: "Here we go again. Ugh..." (suicide methods seriously considered)

    Staff to secretary/clerk: "We sent a letter to your Judge, via FedEx, concerning an urgent development on the Smith case. Since the last time we did that, your Judge said she never received it when Mr./Ms. So-and-so was on his or her feet in front of her, we just wanted to be super sure that your Judge received it this time."

    From secretary/clerk: "Don't see it... might be on the front lawn. I'll look into it (just kidding).

    Staff to secretary/clerk (next day): "Anything?"

    From secretary/clerk: "NOPE. But I'll be here all week. Remember to tip your waiters and waitresses."



    ------------------------------
    Curtis Romanowski Esq.
    Senior Attorney - Proprietor
    Metuchen NJ
    (732)603-8585
    ------------------------------




  • 8.  RE: Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Posted 08-30-2015 02:25 PM

    And... Don't even get me started on this one (okay, started):

    To secretary/clerk: "Something quite urgent just came up on our case that doesn't amount to a Crowe-level emergency, but, it sure could benefit from the Judge's attention. Perhaps we might have a conference call. MAY WE FAX A ONE-PAGE LETTER TO YOUR JUDGE LOL?"

    From secretary/clerk: "Let me ask the judge and get back to you (in a week or two)."

    To secretary/clerk: Several follow-up calls, a) right into voicemail, or b) pointless, because the vicinage does not have voicemail.

    (This can actually be flow-charted.)

    From secretary/clerk (finally): "ABSOLUTELY NOT. LOL MAIL IT."

    To secretary/clerk: "But it's a pretty hot issue. Can we leave a short message?"

    From secretary/clerk: "LOL. Hell no." (Kidding, but interpreting awkward silence.)

    To staff: "Please send this out to Judge and Adversary by FedEx, overnight delivery, and follow up on it tomorrow."

    Staff: "Here we go again. Ugh..." (suicide methods seriously considered)

    Staff to secretary/clerk: "We sent a letter to your Judge, via FedEx, concerning an urgent development on the Smith case. Since the last time we did that, your Judge said she never received it when Mr./Ms. So-and-so was on his or her feet in front of her, we just wanted to be super sure that your Judge received it this time."

    From secretary/clerk: "Don't see it... might be on the front lawn. I'll look into it (just kidding).

    Staff to secretary/clerk (next day): "Anything?"

    From secretary/clerk: "NOPE. But I'll be here all week. Remember to tip your waiters and waitresses."



    ------------------------------
    Curtis Romanowski Esq.
    Senior Attorney - Proprietor
    Metuchen NJ
    (732)603-8585
    ------------------------------




  • 9.  RE: Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Posted 08-30-2015 03:33 PM
    In addition, we are now paying $25 for a sticky label (gold seal) which a) costs maybe 2 cents and could be (and used to be) handled by the Judge's assistants.

    Please make a note that my telephone and fax numbers have changed as indicated below.

    W. S. Gerald Skey, Esq.
    Law Offices of W. S. Gerald Skey, Esq.
    Princeton Commerce Center, Suite G-60
    29 Emmons Drive
    Princeton, New Jersey 08540
    Phone (609) 436-5222
    Fax (609) 228-5242
    www.skeylaw.com

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  • 10.  RE: Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Posted 08-30-2015 05:53 PM
    The court when signing the judgment of divorce affixes a gold seal on each party's copy. Do you mean they are charging $25 if you request one at a later time?

    Robert E. Goldstein, Esq.
    Drescher& Cheslow, P.A.
    610 Bridge Plaza Drive
    Manalapan, NJ 07726
    www.drescher-cheslow.com
    www.mydivorcelawyernj.com




  • 11.  RE: Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Posted 08-30-2015 05:55 PM
    Oh yes they are ! the first one used to be free. now they send you to the fee filing clerk's office to pay $25 for the seal. I squeaked by recently in Monmouth but other counties up North No Way.

    Alice M. Plastoris, Esq.
    [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
    (973) 538-7070
    Sent from my iPad

    THIS IS A CONFIDENTIAL ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION.




  • 12.  RE: Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Posted 08-30-2015 06:29 PM
    Yes; $25 for 1st gold seal in Union County


    Jenny Berse, Esq.LAW OFFICES OF JENNY BERSE, ESQ., L.L.C.
    Practice Dedicated to Family LawServing most counties in New JerseyFierce Advocacy and Dedication
    (855) FAMLAW1/ (855) 326-5291FAX (855) FAMLAW2/ (855) 326-5292
    21 So. Union AvenueCranford, NJ 07016(855) FAMLAW1FAX (855) FAMLAW2
    Sent from my smartphone




  • 13.  RE: Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Posted 08-30-2015 07:04 PM
    I put a case through in Middlesex week before last and they didn't charge for it.

    Robert E. Goldstein, Esq.
    Drescher & Cheslow, P.A.
    (732) 972-1600
    [email protected]

    Visit my website: www.mydivorcelawyernj.com




  • 14.  RE: Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Posted 08-30-2015 06:04 PM
    A gold seal at any time is $25.

    My argument against the counter claim answer/appearance filing fee is that it's not a "different cause of action" in a no fault divorce. The filing fee is justified in civil because it is an answer to a new cause of action. In family however, the only reason to file the counterclaim is to keep the dissolution on track if the plaintiff decides to withdraw or his/her complaint is stricken for any reason.

    Carol Goloff




  • 15.  RE: Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Posted 08-30-2015 07:15 PM
    In Mercer County it is $25 per gold seal copy and the Court sends you to the payment office first so there is no getting around it.

    Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID




  • 16.  RE: Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Posted 08-30-2015 07:18 PM
    Please don't blame the judges
    I can assure you it's the AOC


    Sent from my iPhone




  • 17.  RE: Fee for filing an answer to a counterclaim

    Posted 08-30-2015 07:44 PM
    I don't blame the Judge's one bit but when we get through adding up the required filing fees and add ons like gold sealed copies the "costs" do mount to a considerable amount.

    Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID