Kerstetter Law offers affordable and understandable estate plans. Estate plans consist of a variety of documents, which may include: Last Will and Testament, Living Will & Power of Attorney.
Proper estate planning is essential to controlling how your estate is handled. If you do not have the proper planning performed with regard to your estate, then the wrong family members or your state’s department of revenue and/or the IRS will receive the largest chunk of your estate.
Last Will and Testament (“Will”)
Under New Jersey Law, a Will sets forth a “testators” wishes for the disposition of his or her property after they pass. In NJ, a Will must be witnessed by two (2) witnesses. Wills may be “self-proved,” which means that the person making the will. If a will is vague or creates questions regarding interpretation, or fails to provide for a contingency, it could be subject to expensive court proceeding
Kerstetter Law Best Practices: Don’t Die Without a Will!
If you die without a will, New Jersey’s statutes will determine how your probate estate will be distributed.
What Happens If You Die Without A Will?
Instead of an Executor / Executrix, you will have an Aministrator / Administratrix, who will be appointed to handle your estate. Under the “intestate” rules of New Jersey, if your spouse is the parent of all of your children, your spouse will receive the first $50,000 and the balance will be split equally between your spouse and your children. If any of your children have a parent other than your surviving spouse, your entire estate will be split equally between your spouse and your children.
South Jersey Estate Planning Law Firm
Living Will
Contains instructions for your medical care if a time comes when you cannot personally make decisions about your care. When you reach this level of diminished capacity, a physician will ask your family members if you have a Living Will. This document will specify whether you want to accept or reject certain medical treatments while you are incapacitated.
Can a Health Care Professional or Hospital REFUSE My Wishes?
Certain health care professionals and religiously affiliated health care institutions may adopt policies and refuse to carry out the patient’s wishes to have life-sustaining treatment removed. In such a case, said health-care professional or health care institution must facilitate the timely transfer of the patient to a suitable health care facility.
Call the Firm today at (856) 942-1222 to schedule an estate planning consultation and to obtain a copy of the Firm’s Will Questionnaire.