You have many duties as the administrator of an estate in Bridgewater. One of these duties is to inventory the deceased’s assets. But did you know you also have to inventory the deceased’s debts? It is an important part of the probate process, and it is one of your...
Estate planning involves far more than deciding how to distribute assets after a person’s death. One important tool – a living trust – can help protect a person’s assets while they are alive and provide for the distribution of those assets after their death. A living...
Estate planning in New Jersey is not only for the very wealthy or the very old. It is important to plan your estate no matter which assets you wish to pass down and no matter how much your estate is worth. Everyone should have an estate plan and it becomes even more...
When a New Jersey resident begins to consider making an estate plan, one of the first questions asked is “How can I protect my assets from the claims of creditors?” Estate law has many answers to this question, far more than can be described in a blog post. However,...
An effective estate plan is not limited to the individuals who want to pass on their property and money after they die. It should also include an estate’s heirs and beneficiaries. Upstream planning Effective estate planning includes upstream planning, which focuses on...
After building and preserving financial security over a lifetime, you want to ensure you’re your wealth will still be there for your loved after you pass. Death taxes often drive people to extremes to keep their legacy secure for future generations. As New Jersey is...
When we think of estate planning, we tend to think of people who are further along in life. Someone who needs a trust to protect assets or a will to pass them on. And while there’s some truth to the perception, it’s also true that an advance directive can be important...
We all know that estate planning is important, even if for many of us it is low on our to-do list. But, estate planning should be at the top of that to-do list after you have kids. Why does it become more important after kids? To put it bluntly, it is because your...
As your parents age you may have taken on the role of their caretaker. While you have good intentions as a caretaker, some family members may not think so if they are unhappy with their inheritance. They may accuse you of exerting “undue influence,” over your parent’s...
Many New Jersey families have one or more members who are disabled according to the criteria established by the Social Security Administration. Both the Federal government and the state of New Jersey have established financial assistance programs for these disabled...
