Category Archives: Estate Planning

When Should You Choose a Will Over a Trust

April 25 2018

Have you considered your estate planning wishes? If not, now is the time to begin contemplating what you want to have happen to your assets upon your death. While there are several factors to consider, one of the most important factors is the amount of money and property that you have. The more assets you … Continue reading When Should You Choose a Will Over a Trust →

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Five Quick Fixes to Stay Out of Probate

April 18 2018

When planning for your family’s future, you can’t assume that your assets will go where you want them to go upon your death. Sentiments like, “Everyone knows who is supposed to get my Cadillac,” or “My children will not fight over my family property,” can lead to messy court battles and dollars thrown down the … Continue reading Five Quick Fixes to Stay Out of Probate →

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What Does Codicil Mean?

March 14 2018

Wills, in and of themselves, are complicated but important documents. When you make a written revision to your will, it’s called a codicil. Your will can incorporate such a revision, but the codicil must meet specific requirements. For instance, just as your Will was signed and witnessed – so must your codicil be. Further, your … Continue reading What Does Codicil Mean? →

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The Top 3 Reasons People Are Waiting to Make an Estate Plan

March 07 2018

Most of us understand that estate planning is important to our families’ futures, but way too many of us put it off. After all, it’s not always a comfortable topic. Getting down to the business of planning your estate, however, can bring you much needed and priceless peace of mind. Why wait? The Top Three … Continue reading The Top 3 Reasons People Are Waiting to Make an Estate Plan →

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Who Needs Estate Planning?

January 25 2018

Few people like to think about needing an estate plan. Most people don’t want to look ahead to what happens after they are gone. However, others believe they have plenty of time. It’s common for people to feel that if they contemplate death, they are tempting fate. In the end, it’s crucial that you consider … Continue reading Who Needs Estate Planning? →

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Your Estate and Real Property

October 19 2017

Real property includes land and anything that’s erected on that land. That seems simple enough, but how this real property is titled can significantly affect how it will be transferred at the time of your estate’s administration. In fact, the proceedings can become quite complicated and sometimes don’t play out the way you’d intended. Take … Continue reading Your Estate and Real Property →

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Estate Planning – Living Together but Not Married, No Problem!

September 20 2017

Not every couple chooses to marry, but unmarried couples face specific risks that married couples do not. If you’re part of an unmarried couple, carefully consider your rights and, with the help of an experienced estate planning attorney, implement an estate plan. In New Jersey, unmarried couples risk losing their shared assets if one partner … Continue reading Estate Planning – Living Together but Not Married, No Problem! →

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Well That’s Just GRAT

June 28 2017

 A Look at Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts A GRAT is a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust, and the IRS recently investigated whether a specific GRAT – despite its omission of specific key language – remained valid. GRATs allow grantors to transfer property into the irrevocable GRAT and to be granted, in exchange, an annuity (the retained … Continue reading Well That’s Just GRAT →

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So You’ve Been Appointed Trustee?

January 18 2017

An important part of creating a living trust is to appoint someone to serve as successor trustee after the grantor passes away or otherwise becomes unable to manage the trust. Being appointed trustee means that you will have many different responsibilities related to the management and administration of the trust. These responsibilities will vary depending … Continue reading So You’ve Been Appointed Trustee? →

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Learn From Prince’s Error, Draft a Will Today

December 06 2016

Many people assume that anyone with substantial assets and property would automatically have a last will and testament, along with other important estate planning documents. However, no matter how much money you have – or don’t have – it is up to you to have a will drafted and executed since no one else can … Continue reading Learn From Prince’s Error, Draft a Will Today →

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What the 23 Cent Gas Tax Means for Estate Taxes in NJ

October 27 2016

New Jersey taxpayers will see some major changes in the coming years due to a deal made aiming to fund the state’s Transportation Fund. Perhaps most noticeable will be a 23-cent increase in gasoline taxes, which will be used to fund highway and transportation projects. In exchange for that tax hike, legislators are lowering the … Continue reading What the 23 Cent Gas Tax Means for Estate Taxes in NJ →

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What is A Trust Protector?

September 27 2016

When it comes to getting everything settled for your will or that of a family member, it is always very important for our clients to get each detail just right, so that their wishes will be respected in the future. For those who are aiming to avoid the probate process in their estate’s distribution, there … Continue reading What is A Trust Protector? →

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Estate Taxes: Federal vs. State

August 25 2016

Chances are you do not want a large portion of your hard-earned assets and property to go to the government after you pass away. For this reason, a major part of estate planning often involves protecting against estate taxes whenever possible. In addition, there is more than one set of estate taxes that you must … Continue reading Estate Taxes: Federal vs. State →

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Common Mistakes Made By Executors of an Estate

June 15 2016

Your last will and testament sets out how you would like your property distributed following your death. However, this document is not self-executing and someone must submit your will to the probate courts for review. Someone must also be in charge of settling your estate in line with your wishes and instructions contained in the … Continue reading Common Mistakes Made By Executors of an Estate →

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Can You Use a Trust to Protect a Non-Spouse Beneficiary?

May 10 2016

When many people sit down to develop their comprehensive estate plan, they have concerns regarding beneficiaries other than their spouse. If you have children from a previous relationship or adult children, you will want to address how assets will be distributed directly to them, as they will not necessarily pass through your spouse. However, distributing … Continue reading Can You Use a Trust to Protect a Non-Spouse Beneficiary? →

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