A Former Judge. A Father-Son Trial Firm. Fifty Years of New Jersey Practice.

Avery & Avery, Esqs. represents Franklin Lakes residents on Estate Planning matters. With 11,081 residents in Bergen County, Franklin Lakes routes its Estate Planning matters through the local court system; indictable / over-threshold matters proceed at Bergen County Superior Court.

For a free first consultation on a Franklin Lakes Estate Planning matter, call (201) 943-2445.

Where Franklin Lakes Estate Planning Cases Are Heard

Wills filed by Franklin Lakes decedents probate through the Bergen County Surrogate’s Court at Bergen County Justice Center, 10 Main Street, Room 211, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Uncontested probate is handled by the Surrogate; contested estates and will contests route to Bergen County Superior Court — Chancery Division, Probate Part. NJ Inheritance Tax (Class A exempt; Class C/D taxable) applies.

Franklin Lakes Boro Court

Address: Dekorte Dr
Phone: (201) 891-5480
Court days: 2ND & 4TH WEDNESDAY
Office hours: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Bergen County Superior Court (Hackensack)

Address: Bergen County Justice Center, 10 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: (201) 221-0700
Vicinage: Bergen Vicinage (Vicinage 02)

What the Law Says

Estate Planning matters in Franklin Lakes are controlled by:

N.J.S.A. 3B:3-1 — primary estate planning statute
N.J.S.A. 54:34-1 — companion / procedural authority
In re Estate of Stockdale, 196 N.J. 275 (2008) — leading NJ case-law

Franklin Lakes wills probate through the Bergen County Surrogate’s Court at Justice Center Room 211, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Will contests escalate to Bergen County Superior Court — Chancery Division, Probate Part.

NJ Inheritance Tax under N.J.S.A. 54:34-1 et seq. applies; Class A beneficiaries (spouse, descendants, parents) are exempt; Class C and D trigger 11-16% tax. NJ estate tax was eliminated for decedents on or after January 1, 2018.

About Franklin Lakes, NJ

Franklin Lakes sits in Bergen County, NJ. Key facts:

2020 Census population: 11,081
Density: 1,177 per sq mi
Land area: 9.4 sq mi
ZIP codes: 07417
Mayor: Charles Kahwaty
Incorporated: March 11, 1922
Named for: William Franklin
Elevation: 522 ft

Franklin Lakes Local Context

Franklin Lakes had a 2020 Census population of 11,081 (Bergen County, NJ).
Population density 1,177.0 per sq mi (2020), land area 9.4 sq mi.
Franklin Lakes was incorporated March 11, 1922.

Why Avery & Avery for Franklin Lakes Estate Planning

Fifty years of NJ trial practice. Robert W. Avery began NJ practice in 1976 and served fifteen years as Judge of the Ridgefield Municipal Court (1986-2000). John S. Avery joined the firm in 2012. The firm has handled Franklin Lakes-area Estate Planning matters as part of its ongoing Bergen County practice.

Same-day callbacks on active arrest or court-date situations. Robert or John picks up when we’re in the office; voicemails returned promptly.

Statewide reach with local depth. The firm’s reported case Delvoye v. Lee, 329 F.3d 330 (3d Cir. 2003) establishes the firm’s federal-court track record beyond purely municipal-court practice.

Sister Bergen Cities We Cover

We routinely appear in Franklin Lakes’s neighboring Bergen County municipalities. See:

And the Bergen County Estate Planning landing covers the full county.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do Franklin Lakes Estate Planning cases go?

Bergen County Superior Court for first-tier matters; Bergen County Superior Court (Hackensack) for indictable / over-threshold matters.

How fast can you respond to a Franklin Lakes arrest / hearing?

Same-day callback during business hours; same-evening for arrests on weeknights. Call (201) 943-2445.

Do you handle other Bergen County practice areas?

Yes — see our Bergen County Lawyer page for the full practice list, and the practice tops at /practice-areas/estate-planning/.

Schedule a Free Franklin Lakes Estate Planning Consultation

Call (201) 943-2445 or submit through the form.