Challenging a Will
Anyone with an interest in an estate might challenge a will. When a will is challenged, the personal representative holds all assets until such time as the challenge is determined. ...
Leaving Messages to Loved Ones Outside a Last Will and Testament
There are new internet companies popping every day which offer services for people to leave messages “from the grave.” Some companies offer an option to email everyone on your contact ...
Planning for Retrieving Digital Passwords
We all have online accounts with passwords and usernames. Most of us also have Facebook pages or Linked In accounts which we monitor and use occasionally or every day depending ...
Determining Your New Worth
Knowing the value of your estate is essential in making strategic decisions in your estate plan. Your net worth (assets minus liabilities) dictates not your lifestyle but also what your ...
Providing Tuition and Medical Expenses for Loved Ones
It is common for grandparents to leave their grandchildren gifts of property, assets or cash. It is also common for grandparents to want children to spend the gifts wisely, rather ...
Annual Gift Tax Exclusion
Many people wait until they die to leave assets and cash to their loved ones but you can start giving to your loved ones now and enjoy actually giving them ...
Gifts to Pets in an Estate Plan
Animal Companions Cannot Own Property While most of us consider our pets to be part of the family, animals cannot own property legally. For example, an animal cannot open a ...
New Jersey Statutory Definition of Distributee
Distributee is a term used commonly in estate planning but rarely used outside of estate planning. Every state includes a definition section to their laws to clearly convey the intent ...
Stepchildren Defined for New Jersey Estate Planning
Under New Jersey law, stepchildren are not treated as “children” for intestate succession and therefore have no automatic right to inherit when someone dies without a will. To ensure a ...
Things Your Will Should Not Include
When considering what you might want to include in your will, you should know some things are better addressed in a different document, or not included at all in your ...