When should I make a will? Obviously, no one wants to think about his or her own death, let alone prepare for it. However, it’s important to understand that writing a will doesn’t mean you’re planning to die any time soon. In fact, it could take months or even years before you actually pass away. So, when should I make a will? Well, it’s not just because you might get hit by a bus tomorrow. Writing a will and other Read More
10 Things To Know About Writing A Will in New Jersey
Below are 10 things you should know about writing a will. Did you know that according to an AARP survey, 2 out of 5 people in New Jersey over the age of 45 don't have a will? What is a Will? A will is simply a legal document in which you, the testator, declare who will manage your estate and who will get your "stuff" when you die. What Happens If I Don't Have a Will? Putting your wishes on paper helps your heirs Read More
Do I Need an Estate Plan in my 20s or 30s?
Accidents happen. Illnesses can strike anyone unexpectedly. So, take a moment to get a few basic estate planning tasks out of the way. You — and the people you love — will be glad you did. If you think you’re too young — think again. Incapacity can occur at any age. Most people prefer to have control over what happens to their belongings when the unthinkable happens. But when there’s no plan in place, the state Read More
What You Can’t Do With a Will
Most people know what a will does but there are things that it won’t cover. A will is just one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Here is what you can't do with a will. A will is a legally-binding statement directing who will receive your property at your death. It is also the way you appoint a legal representative to carry out your bequests and that you name a guardian for your children. Without a will, your Read More
Why Small Business Owners Need an Estate Plan
Running a small business can keep you busy, but it should not keep you from creating an estate plan. Not having a plan in place can cause problems for your business and your family after you are gone. While an estate plan is important for everyone, it is especially important for small business owners. Planning allows you to dictate what will happen with your business after you die or are no longer able to manage Read More
The Durable Power of Attorney: Your Most Important Estate Planning Document
For most people, the durable power of attorney is the most important estate planning instrument available -- even more useful than a will. A power of attorney allows a person you appoint -- your "attorney-in-fact" or “agent” -- to act in place of you – the “principal” -- for financial purposes when and if you ever become incapacitated. In that case, the person you choose will be able to step in and take care of your Read More
Five Reasons to Have a Will
Your will is a legally-binding statement directing who will receive your property at your death. It also appoints a legal representative to carry out your wishes. However, the will covers only probate property. (Probate is the court process by which a deceased person's property is passed to his or her heirs and people named in the will.) Many types of property or forms of ownership pass outside of probate. Read More
Estate Planning When You Have a Stepfamily
Ideally, when a second marriage joins two families together, should be a joyous occasion that creates one bigger family unit - the "blended family." Unfortunately, it too often also creates inheritance fights between stepparents and children. A good estate plan is necessary to help avoid these types of family squabbles. Complications can arise when two people who both have children from previous relationships marry. Read More
Redo Your Estate Plan When You Remarry
If you are getting remarried, you obviously want to celebrate, but it is also important to focus on less exciting matters like redoing your estate plan. You may have created an estate plan during your first marriage, but this time it will probably be more complicated--especially if you have children from your first marriage or more assets - what we call a "blended family." You must redo your estate plan when you Read More
If You Haven’t Been Regularly Reviewing Your Estate Plan, Start When You Hit 60
You Should Review Your Estate Plan When You Hit 60 as well as other key points in your lifetime. How frequently you should review your estate plan depends on how old you are and whether there has been a significant change in your circumstances. If you are over age 60 and you haven't updated your estate plan in many decades, it's almost certain that you need to update your documents. After that, you should review Read More
