Estate planning involves preparing for the unexpected and ensuring that personal and financial matters are handled according to your wishes. A durable power of attorney (DPOA) is a critical document in this process. It provides peace of mind by granting a trusted...
Estate Planning
How do creditor claims impact estate administration in NJ?
Creditor claims significantly affect estate administration. When someone dies, their debts don't disappear. Estate administrators must follow specific procedures to address valid claims before distributing assets to beneficiaries. Understanding creditor claims After...
When does a living will go into effect?
Although you may feel healthy and vigorous at the moment, the passage of time is bound to bring different health challenges. At some point, due to old age or disability, you might not be able to make medical decisions for yourself or communicate them to your doctors....
How does the probate process work in Bergen County?
According to Bergen County Surrogate's Court, it takes about an hour to probate a will in this county. However, probating the will is only part of the probate process. Probate is the legal process that takes place when someone passes away, leaving behind assets and...
Important life milestones when you should update your will
Starting your estate plan early in life ensures that your affairs are in order and easy to manage throughout your life. Having a will in place also helps lessen the burden on your family if an untimely tragedy should occur. Even if you write your will early, though,...
How to talk to your kids about your estate
Talking to your kids about your death is a challenging task. Many parents spend a lot of time planning for what happens after they are gone but fail to communicate their plans to their kids. You might avoid this topic because you do not want to stress out your...
5 ways you can succeed in your role as executor of an estate
Perhaps when you agreed to become executor of your uncle’s estate, the death of this hearty man seemed improbable and certainly a long way off. Now that time has come, and you are suddenly in charge of administering the estate. Here are five tips to help you succeed...
Can I have a holographic will in New Jersey?
Since death is unpredictable, creating an estate plan is easy to put off. While you may have ideas for what you might include in your will and other estate documents, those plans will not be useful for your loved ones until you have a written plan. For some, creating...
What happens when a person dies without a will?
We never know when we’ll be gone, so we need to look ahead and create our wills for when that moment arrives. However, some people put off creating a will for so long that they die without one. In that case, the state of New Jersey will handle asset distribution...