Getting a lawyer or filing case myself?

[Jennifer Figueroa]

Hi all,

I am currently helping my family run their multifamily property in New Jersey. Currently in our 5 unit building one of the tenants hasn’t paid rent in 18 months and unfortunately neither does the tenant have a written lease. Since the rent that the tenant owes surpasses the $15,000 special civil case would you suggest I pay $3,500 for a lawyer to file the case for the approximate 20k the tenant owes or save $3,500 lawyer fee and file myself? My gut is saying be secure and pay the $3,500 lawyer fee and serve this as a learning lesson to have written leases for tenants in the future.

Let me know what you think!

Jenn