Estate Planning

Many New Jersey entertainment fans were probably saddened when actor James Gandolfini passed away at age 51 in 2013, but there were future surprises ahead for his family as around 80 percent of his estate was subject to federal and state estate taxes due to faulty...

Although some New Jersey residents may assume that the most common estate planning errors that are made have to do with the wording of a will or trust, two of the most common mistakes are actually not keeping named beneficiaries updated and using online tools for...

Like people everywhere, New Jersey residents tend to put off estate planning because the process raises uncomfortable subjects. The excuse that only older individuals or parents of young children need estate plans ignores the reality that a medical emergency could...

Many New Jersey residents create a detailed estate plan as a way of providing for the next generations in their family. With a well-written will, financial trusts and lifetime gift planning, people can help to ensure that their family members do not lose a large chunk...

People in New Jersey may want to avoid probate by passing their assets in ways other than a will. Wills still do have some advantages, however. There are a number of ways that a person can pass their assets to their intended beneficiaries, both within the structure of...

Most New Jersey residents understand the importance of having an estate plan. However, many young people have not put any thought into what they want to happen should they become incapacitated. Following the highly publicized death of Bobbi Kristina Brown, young...

An incomplete estate plan can cause a person's assets to be tied up in the New Jersey probate process for years. Additionally, end-of-life decisions about finances, life support, and other emotional issues could be left in the hands of a judge if clear directions have...

While many people in New Jersey have probably heard that it's important to complete estate planning, too many people put it off until it's too late, passing away without a will or trust in place to distribute their assets. Still others fail to ever update their estate...

Thanks to the Supreme Court decision on June 26, same-sex couples can now enjoy the same rights and privileges of marriage as heterosexual couples, and this includes the same rights in estate planning. While marriage was already legal for gay couples in New Jersey, a...

For some New Jersey residents, a will may not be the best estate-planning tool. In some cases, a will may get tied up in probate for months. Probate can also be expensive. However, families of individuals who opt for do-it-yourself estate planning tools may still find...