Articles Posted in Estate Planning

Your last will and testament is a cornerstone of your complete estate plan. A well-executed will prevents unnecessary heartache for your loved ones after you’re gone. But what if situations change and you need to revoke your will and write a new one? Common reasons for revoking a will include major life events like marriage,…

Planning your estate with a good attorney is an important step towards protecting your assets, your wishes, and the people that matter the most to you. However, as any estate planning attorney can tell you, there is no cookie-cutter estate plan; everybody’s needs are different, and thus require different solutions. There are a variety of…

As experienced estate planning attorneys, we cannot overstress the importance of advance medical directives. These comprehensive legal documents protect your healthcare wishes when you are unable to express them yourself. In this article, we will provide a brief overview of advance medical directives, and explain the consequences of failing to have such safeguards in place.…

Let’s be honest—nobody likes to discuss what happens to their bodies after they die. However, legally, something must happen to our bodies after we die, typically burial or cremation. So, you should make sure your body is laid to rest on your own terms. Making a plan for what happens to your body after you…

A power of attorney is a crucial part of your estate plan. We have previously expounded on the importance of a medical power of attorney. Today, we will discuss why you may want to revoke a power of attorney and the steps for doing so. What is a Power of Attorney? A power of attorney…

Planning for the unthinkable can be challenging. Amongst these challenges includes deciding who should be executor of your Will. This guide will introduce you to the responsibilities of an executor and will provide some tips on how to find the best person to serve as your executor. What is an Executor? An executor is the…

As a New Jersey estate planning attorney, I often receive questions about what happens to property when someone dies. It is important to understand the various ways your assets can be transferred, as this knowledge empowers you to make better decisions for your estate plan—as I often tell my clients, knowledge is power. In this…

A loved one passing away is bound to be a stressful time. If your loved one passed away without a will, known as dying “intestate,” this can add confusion to your grief. Your loved one probably had assets and property, but there is no legal document identifying their wishes for distributing their estate. So, what…

Preparing for a future where you’re not there to take care of your minor children can feel like an unbearable task. Such a scenario feels impossible to think about in the first place, which can prevent you from engaging in the significant considerations and difficult decisions related to making sure your children are provided for…

When it comes to planning for your future, a durable power of attorney (DPOA) is an essential legal tool that ensures that your financial, legal, and personal affairs are managed according to your wishes. In this article, we will delve into the specifics of durable power of attorneys in New Jersey and New York, including…