Year: 2025

An estate plan allows people to decide how their assets should be managed after they pass away. Estate planning is a lifelong process. Many people update their estate plans regularly throughout their lives. Knowing when and why you should update your estate plan is...

Gifts to others can play an important role in a modern estate plan. Testators with valuable personal property and financial resources may want to see their beneficiaries enjoy their inheritances. They can achieve that goal by gifting resources to their loved ones while they...

As people age, they may start discussing their legacy with loved ones. Parents and grandparents may talk about their plans with their children and grandchildren. Frequently, everyone in the family knows roughly what to expect when reviewing the will of someone who recently died....

As you plan to protect your family’s future, the legal terms about making decisions can be confusing. This confusion often stems from the fact that both a power of attorney (POA) and a guardianship achieve the same practical result: providing a resource for someone...

Sometimes, it seems like there is no end to the taxes Americans pay. This can vary by state. Most states, for example, don’t have an inheritance tax. However, New Jersey is among the six that can levy an inheritance tax on inheritances when a...

The aftermath of a loved one’s death can be a time of grief, disorientation and anxiety. It can be made worse if the person that the loved one chose to be the executor of their estate (or the person appointed by the probate court...

Everyone makes mistakes. While many mistakes are inconsequential, an estate planning mistake can lead to legal disputes, family fights and unfulfilled last wishes. If you have an estate plan, then it is important to review your plan and avoid these costly mistakes: 1. Your...

All adults should take the time to create an estate plan. This requires them to make multiple decisions, some of which revolve around their property. While estate planning includes deciding who receives what, it also can help people protect assets, reduce taxes and help...

The death of a loved one often comes with emotional stress, and disagreements over their estate can make the grieving process even harder. While most wills are accepted without issue, sometimes questions arise about whether the document is valid or whether it reflects the...

Guardianship is a legal process that grants one person decision-making authority over another, often involving personal, financial and medical matters. When parents begin to age, conversations about their future care often arise. Adult children may sometimes feel pressured to take legal guardianship sooner than...

Personal representatives and the people closest to the decedent usually want to uphold their last wishes. In some cases, they may have questions about the validity of the will or other estate planning documents. Family members may feel confused about the terms included in...

When someone close to you passes away, managing their estate can feel like a heavy task since it involves many steps and decisions that you may not have expected. Estate administration is the process of gathering what the person owned, paying any remaining debts...

A trust is just one part of an estate plan, but it can give you some options that go beyond writing a will. You can often choose between creating an irrevocable trust, which cannot be changed after it has been created, or a revocable...

Making the decision to transition a loved one into long-term care is not always easy. Whether prompted by a recent medical event or the gradual progression of age-related challenges, the move carries emotional and practical weight. Families often find themselves balancing concern for well-being...

Estate planning is a personal matter that should reflect the creator’s wishes. While the creator may turn to others for help in determining how to set things up in the estate, the final decision must be based on their own desires. There are times...

When people think about handling a person’s estate, their attention usually turns to distributing assets. Most people don’t think about the person’s debts, but those will have to be taken care of, too. The debts of a decedent typically fall on the estate to...

Estate planning protects your legacy, your loved ones, and your peace of mind. Yet many NJ families fall into avoidable traps that complicate their plans. Here are 5 of the most common mistakes we see—and how to avoid them: Failing to Update Wills and...

When doing their estate planning, some New Jersey residents may have concerns about how their loved ones will manage and use any funds they leave them in their wills. There could be concerns about how access to large sums of money could upset the...

You might think, instead of writing a will or creating a trust, why not just give away your assets now and save everyone the trouble later? It sounds simple – no lawyers, probate or other formalities – just a generous hand-off to your loved...

On May 5, 2025, the New Jersey Appellate Division issued its decision in A.D. v. Essex County Department of Family Services, a case that serves as a clear—and costly—reminder that Medicaid is a program grounded in strict procedural compliance. The court’s ruling reinforced a...

Navigating Medicaid options can be overwhelming—especially when asset transfers or prior gifts are involved. The process often requires attention to both legal nuance and extensive paperwork. This guide offers a concise overview of Medicaid eligibility in New Jersey for single individuals over age 65...

You’ve worked hard to accumulate your wealth. If you haven’t already, now is the time to figure out how those assets will be dispersed when the time comes. But the thought of your loved ones inheriting your estate might leave you on edge, especially...

In the digital age, your smartphone holds more than just messages and photos—it may be a key piece of your legacy. That’s why Apple introduced the Legacy Contact feature for iPhone users. This tool allows you to designate a trusted individual who can access...

When it comes to estate planning, one of the most challenging decisions parents face is how to divide their estate among their children. While the concept of equality might seem like the simplest and fairest approach, the reality is often more complicated. It is...

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is undergoing one of its most dramatic overhauls in recent history. From benefit increases for public-sector retirees to stricter identity verification and office closures, these changes will have wide-reaching implications for millions of Americans. Here’s a breakdown of what’s...

As the executor of your loved one’s estate, you are responsible for managing their affairs. That includes settling any outstanding debts. Handling creditor claims is a significant part of the estate administration process, and mismanaging this responsibility can lead to personal liability. That said,...

Death during probate creates extra work for everyone involved. This happens more often than you might think in New Jersey, affecting how the original estate is distributed. Executors must know the proper steps when a beneficiary dies before receiving their inheritance. What New Jersey’s...

New Jersey’s aging population makes elder fraud a pressing issue. By 2025, nearly 18% of the state’s residents will be 65 or older, a 31% increase since 2010. More seniors mean more potential targets for fraudsters. And the numbers are alarming. A June 14,...

In the case In the Matter of the Estate of Michael D. Jones, the Supreme Court of New Jersey addressed a critical issue: whether an ex-spouse’s rights as a designated beneficiary on U.S. savings bonds were nullified by divorce. Background of the Case Michael...

An executor is not usually personally responsible just because someone challenges a will. In New Jersey, the executor’s main job is to handle the deceased person’s estate. This includes collecting assets, paying off debts and distributing the remaining assets according to the will. Liability...

Starting probate quickly after a loved one passes away can offer many benefits. In New Jersey, the probate process ensures the court supervises the distribution of the deceased’s assets, payment of debts, and resolution of any disputes. You can make the process easier and...

Planning for a family member with a disability comes with a unique set of challenges. You want to provide for them financially, but at the same time, you don’t want to accidentally put their government benefits—like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)—at risk. That’s...

Gifting assets to your loved ones during your lifetime can be a rewarding experience. Aside from the potential tax advantages, this practice allows you to witness the impact of your generosity firsthand and help ease potential financial burdens for your loved ones. However, while...

In In re A.D., the New Jersey Supreme Court affirmed the denial of legal fee awards in a guardianship case where the court-appointed attorney and temporary guardian for an “alleged incapacitated person” under Rule 4:86 sought awards of legal fees and costs against an...

Coping with the loss of a family member or close friend is challenging, and handling their estate can add to the stress. The situation becomes particularly complicated when their loved one’s assets are not enough to pay off all debts and fulfill the bequests...

Estate planning isn’t just about deciding who gets Grandma’s china or your secret cookie recipe. It’s also about making sure you are taken care of if life throws you a curveball. Two unsung heroes of planning—powers of attorney (POA) and advanced healthcare directives—can save...

When a loved one passes away and leaves assets to underage beneficiaries, estate administrators in Cherry Hill and Linwood, NJ face unique challenges. After all, minors do not have the legal capacity to manage their assets and properties. This guide will help you understand...