Wills, Trusts, & Estate Law
While we don’t always like to think about death, and sometimes we even put off having difficult conversations about it with our loved ones, death is a fact of life.
Planning ahead and knowing that the important decisions have been made will give you peace of mind, and will make a difficult time just a little easier for you and for your family. It helps to have someone on your side who understands all phases of estate administration and will work in your best interests.
Estate Planning
An estate plan will ensure your wishes are respected if you can no longer make healthcare decisions for yourself or manage your own financial affairs.
A Last Will and Testament will ensure your estate is divided in the way you intend.
During our initial consultation, we will discuss your expectations, and I’ll explain all of the options you have to best protect the future of you and your family members. Your estate plan will be custom-tailored to your individual situation. There is a wide range of options to consider, including:
Simple Wills
Living Wills, also known as a Healthcare Directive
General durable powers of attorney
Trusts
I recommend certain pre-death documents for all New Jersey residents over the age of 18. These are a living will, also known as a Healthcare directive, and a durable power of attorney.
In New Jersey, there are state laws that dictate what happens when someone dies “intestate,” which is the legal term for without a will. These laws determine who takes custody of children, who inherits assets, what happens to debts, and who is tasked with taking over the estate and sorting everything out if there are no legal documents outlining specific plans and desires. Creating a custom estate plan allows you to take control of your legacy and make decisions for yourself.
Post-divorce it is incredibly important to update your estate plan so your ex does not get a windfall when you die, or have the power to make financial or health care decisions for you. If you have minor children, you will also need to plan for what you would prefer to happen if you pass away. Don’t put off this important post-divorce task.
Estate Administration
I work on all phases of the administration of a decedent's estate:
Will probate (or commencement of an intestate administration if there is no Will)
Preparation and filing of the various estate and/or inheritance tax returns
Distribution of the estate assets to the beneficiaries and wrap up the estate administration.
Whether the property passes outright or to Trusts created under the Will, or Trusts created outside of the Will, I’ll walk you through all of the important decisions to ensure that your finances, your estate, and your health are taken care of.