It's generally not long after a testator's funeral has happened and their will has been filed with a Bridgewater probate court that beneficiaries start coming out of the woodworks. They often do so to make sure that they get their cut of the assets. While you may be...
Estate Administration
Which family members are most apt to contest your will?
It can be beneficial for testators, or for those drafting a will, to communicate with their heirs in advance of their passing. By doing so, they can let them know what their final wishes are. This seldom happens though. Many of them let their preferences be known only...
Executors shouldn’t try to administer an estate all on their own
When a testator drafts their will, they're required to appoint an executor to handle their estate once they've passed on. The person selected for this role should be trustworthy as they'll be responsible for paying final expenses and distributing assets to your heirs....
Getting a judge to appoint a new executor requires convincing
One of the key responsibilities of the person drafting a will, or testator, is to select the executor of their estate. The individual appointed to this role is responsible for preserving the value of its assets, filing its final tax return, paying creditors and...
Are you responsible for a deceased loved one’s debts?
People who pass away have often battled a long illness like cancer. Many have simply had years of poor health. Sometimes they die after a serious accident. In all of these cases, they may leave many thousands of dollars in medical bills. What happens to all of those...
Activating estate gifts can allow you to see their benefit
In many cases, people who pledge money to schools or institutions cannot see the effects that their money will lead to. Why? Those funds are usually not released until they pass away.A better option for some individuals is the option for early activation. With early...
Executors: An honorable, but difficult, job
One of the reasons that estate administration is so difficult for people is because it is not very common and requires planning years in advance. That planning may or may not involve the person who will eventually take over the estate. No one likes to bring up death,...
Does the family gather to hear the reading of the will?
If you watched a movie where a character passed away, you may have then watched a scene where all of the friends and relatives sat in a room while a lawyer read them that person's will. Does this really happen? Is that how you find out what was left to you?While this...
Hurt feelings may lead to estate disputes
People often assume that estate disputes revolve solely around possessions. Two people want the same assets, they can't have them and so they start a long legal dispute to see who gets them.Certainly, this does happen, and assets do change hands during these disputes....
An important difference between Class C and Class A beneficiaries
When you're writing your will in New Jersey, you must take into account the state's estate tax laws and how they can impact the money you're leaving behind. A small mistake or oversight could cost your family a lot.For instance, one man became sick and decided to...