As younger generations transition from their childhood to adulthood, more and more Millennials are beginning to estate plan, and rightly so. Even though it is always recommended that everyone at least has a will, as Millennials pass more and more major life events,...
Estate Planning
Three important estate planning documents everyone should have
When people in New Jersey and elsewhere finally begin the process of planning out their estate, it can be overwhelming to decide on what is most important. Often, we focus only on the financial aspects and how to distribute accumulated wealth to loved ones. But there...
Looking at as estate plan as an evolving document
Now, more than ever, it is apparent that life comes with many unexpected events. One never knows what lies around the corner, making it imperative to consider many what-ifs in life no matter a person’s age or phase in life. Illnesses, injuries and freak accidents do...
What should I avoid to help my estate plan?
Just like everything we do in life that involves the law, there are pitfalls. So, to is the estate planning process. There are things that we may do for reasonable reasons, but that can have a negative affect on our estate plan. Joint ownership Throughout our...
Should digital assets be included in an estate plan?
The term, digital asset, has exploded recently as our e-life has continued to expand. The term refers to any account that requires a username and password to access or control. And, as with any other asset, these should be accounted for in an estate plan. Why it...
Need a will alternative? Consider the irrevocable trust
For generations, the will was considered the status quo way for ordinary Americans to organize their estate. But in recent years, a plethora of estate planning tools have become vogue, encouraging estate planners to explore exciting will-alternatives. Irrevocable...
Medicaid planning and the Qualified Income Trust
Estate planning can be about more than just leaving certain assets to beneficiaries. Medicaid planning is an important part of planning for the future of many people, and yet it’s often not seriously considered. For instance, taking advantage of certain Medicaid...
When can family members challenge a will?
At times, family members may believe that a will does not accurately reflect the wishes of their loved one. Family members who find themselves in this situation need to be aware of the situations in which it may be possible to challenge, or contest, a will. When can a...
A second marriage warrants a review of your estate plan
Families in New Jersey come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes after the death of a spouse or a divorce a person remarries creating an entirely new family dynamic, especially if they have adult children from their prior union. While stepchildren and stepparents can...
What is a revocable living trust?
As you begin the estate planning process, you may want to consider including a revocable living trust in your estate plan. A revocable living trust is one of many tools you can use to distribute your assets among your beneficiaries. There are generally three parties...