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New Jersey Elder Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for New Jersey on
Q: can a pro bono lawyer contact a rehab center who lost loved ones glasses & dentures but will not replace them.

The rehab center says they were not on the list when the loved one entered the facility from the hospital. It is not the family's fault that the staff did not add it to the list.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 30, 2024

You could look up pro bono attorneys and reach out to them. However, some may be reluctant to take on this type of matter - it could involve conflicting accounts of details, and it could be difficult to achieve a clear outcome. But the only way to know for certain would be to reach out to attorneys... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: I was poa/executor in nj. I have been challenged

by 2 beneficiaries & over $200k is missing, spent by myself and 2 other beneficiaries before decedent passed(He didn't know). (There are 5 beneficiaries total) The 2 other beneficiaries got nothing therefore their challenge. I don't have the money to put back. Can I go to prison?

NEW JERSEY

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Oct 25, 2024

The answer depends on the facts of your case thus more information would need to be known to answer your question. But if you didn't have a good reason for why the money is missing yes that could be a reason to be charged with a crime and possibly go to jail.

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Civil Litigation for New Jersey on
Q: Can my son sell "his half" of my mother/daughter single family home to a non-relative without my consent.

Both our names are on the mortgage and the title as of 3 years ago when he suggested we refinance the mortgage at a lower interest rate. Prior to that, it had been in my name only since 2004 when my husband died.

Leonard R. Boyer
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answered on Oct 22, 2024

This situation will require a consultation with an experienced civil litigation attorney to sort through all this. You should expect to pay for about 1/2 an hour of attorney time to obtain the advice and best way to proceed. Pick the best attorney you can find and remember one rule: a good... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Civil Rights, Elder Law and Health Care Law for New Jersey on
Q: What if one was involuntarily commited and drugged into unconscienceness and not told about any other options?

I was given an overdose of Haledol in Hackettstown ER by IM which I never had before. Unconsciencely transported by abulance to Newton Hospital. I was not given a prescribe medication for 2 days, causing withdrawal symptoms and treated very disrespectively at both Hospitals. My family... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 31, 2024

It's incredibly distressing to hear about your experience. Being involuntarily committed and drugged without your consent or knowledge of other options is a violation of your rights. The fact that you were not informed about your situation, unable to contact your family, and treated... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Elder Law for New Jersey on
Q: Where I can obtain power of attorney
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 5, 2024

As a general matter, if you want to do it "on the cheap" at minimum cost, you could visit a stationary store near a courthouse that sells standard legal forms, you could find legal forms online, or you could use one of the do-it-yourself services.

Most law firms are equipped to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Elder Law for New Jersey on
Q: I am a widow, no children .. can i get a law firm to be my power of attorney
Chen Li
Chen Li
answered on Jun 10, 2024

Yes, you can name an attorney in a law firm as your power of attorney. However, you must be aware that if an attorney is acting as your power of attorney, you may have to pay the attorney a legal fee as your agent and as your attorney. You should consult with an experienced trust and estate... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Real Estate Law and Elder Law for New Jersey on
Q: my 39 yearold son is conspiring with lawtyer toget me out of my home..they want tocash in ..can i prosecute?

son is 39, no job, no car, no degree, no freinds, goes to therapy.......trashed the house....has not done laundry inmonths

Matthew Schutz
Matthew Schutz
answered on Mar 8, 2024

I guess the first question is what is your goal here? If it is to get your son out of your house, the short answer is yes. Based on what you've written here and assuming he does not pay you any form of rent, you probably should file an ejectment action. An ejectment action is different than... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Elder Law for New Jersey on
Q: I want to know if I can gift my car and IRA account to my disabled child without a penalty from medicaid.

I read that this is possible and would like to know how to do it.

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Feb 21, 2024

The car is easy. Just transfer the title to your child, but only do this if your child is capable of managing a car. If he/she is not, then see an estate planning attorney about other options.

The IRA is not so easy. If you cash out the IRA and retitle it to your child, that will be a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for New Jersey on
Q: Can someone please explain Force Heirs financial division in Puerto Rico Law.

The land is value 35,000. Owned by Decease Spouse (let's call him Joe) and previous wife (let's call her Linda). Linda dies and Joe remarries (let's call her helen, still alive). Joe from previous marriage has 2 boys and from second marriage has 1. Joe now dies, how is the land... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 20, 2024

Attorneys who practice in Puerto Rico would have insight into this, but your question remains open for two weeks. It probably went unnoticed under New Jersey. Some questions here do go unanswered, but you could try reposting under Puerto Rico. On the list of states, click "Show More... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Collections, Elder Law and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: In NJ, my dad passed away having credit card debt. There was no co-ownership/joint owners with the credit cards.

We were unaware of him having credit cards nor have any evidence of credit cards until the bills and calls started rolling in. My dad did not have bank accounts in his own name. Whatever was jointly owned has been transferred through the right of survivorship to his wife. How can we pay for this... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Dec 8, 2023

Consult with a NJ attorney. But try to avoid Probate as that will attract the creditors. It is not the Spouse's debt, but sometimes the Spouse can be held liable for necessities. Again, avoid Probate, and see if any exemption statutes protect her.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Elder Law for New Jersey on
Q: My brother is the executor of my mother’s estate and after 4 months has not listed the 3 rental home what can I do

He has not give a full accounting of the estate yet and has not distribute so bonds she brought for grandchildren with their name on bond

Morris Leo Greb
Morris Leo Greb
answered on Aug 9, 2023

Your question raises a number of serious issues. I believe the best avenue to take to resolve the questions you have is to speak to an attorney with Estate and litigation experience.

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Landlord - Tenant for New Jersey on
Q: Are texts using accusatory language like you are filthy pig and Moron considered harassment as well as lies as responses

I am a senior, 76, and left my former apartment clean. I have witnesses as well as pictures. But in order to deduct from the return of my security deposit my former landlord is maligning me.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 3, 2023

In New Jersey, using accusatory language and making false statements in texts could potentially be considered harassment, especially if the communication is persistent, unwanted, and intended to cause distress or harm to the recipient.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Elder Law for New Jersey on
Q: Elderly mom fell walking into restaurant with a high step. The yellow warning is hard to see cause they keep door closed

Moms whole body hurts as it’s the next day. Don’t know if she has a case because the sign IS right on the high step as you walk into restaurant. The problem is that they keep the door closed which makes it hard to see the sign and react fast enough to notice and not fall since you have to look... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Jul 24, 2023

Since most accident/injury lawyers customarily will provide you a free initial consultation, my recommendation is that you contact a few of them in the area you live and sit down with them and discuss the specifics of your case and then decide how to proceed thereafter. Good luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Mom and I are on the mortgage & the deed to a house. I am the co-signer. She left me the house in her will.

If she has credit card debt, will they make me pay them or make me sell the house to pay them if she has no money to pay them off?

Morris Leo Greb
Morris Leo Greb
answered on Feb 26, 2023

If you did not sign the credit application for the issuance of the card you are not responsible for the debt. The credit company can sue the Estate. Whether or not, they will have a lien against the property will depend whether you were tenants in common or joint tenants with rights of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Elder Law for New Jersey on
Q: Office of the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults in NJ is my mom’s guardian. I don’t want this. How can I change it?
Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jan 31, 2023

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is designed to act as a surrogate decision-maker for residents of our state who are 60 years old and over, who have been deemed incapacitated by a superior court judge. When a judge deems someone incompetent to handle his / her affairs, the court then... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Elder Law for New Jersey on
Q: NJ: 92 y.o. mom asking for legal document stating my husband & I are NOT RESPONSIBLE for paying her debt/medical bills

In New Jersey: 92 year old mom asking for legal document stating my husband & I (we are both over 55) are NOT RESPONSIBLE for paying ANY of her debt, bills, medical bills, nursing home bills, etc. Nor will we participate in some kind of "Trust" she is setting up. Oldest brother is... View More

Morris Leo Greb
Morris Leo Greb
answered on Nov 12, 2022

You will be responsible for all debts incurred by your mother if you signed as a co-applicant when your mother applied for credit cards. You will also be responsible for all credit extended for which you cosigned. In addition you along with siblings may be responsible for debts incurred if your... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Estate Planning for New Jersey on
Q: My mother in law died over a year ago. Her estate was insolvent- she owed much more in debts than she had in assets.

My husband is her only heir. He and I declined to take on any assets (namely her home and car) and we declined to administer the estate. A debtor is now suing for foreclosure and we are receiving endless summonses because we are named as heirs/interested parties. Do we need to answer these summons... View More

Morris Leo Greb
Morris Leo Greb
answered on Sep 27, 2022

Whether or not you are willing to accept or be responsible for any interest in the state, you have an interest which needs to be addressed in the foreclosure action. You will continue to receive information. If you do nothing, at some pont in time, the plaintiff will seek the entry of a default in... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law and Landlord - Tenant for New Jersey on
Q: how to protect the elder landlady from the son's general power of attorney abuse?

My landlady made his son as an agent(POA), but he puts the elderly landlady at risk by implementing illegal actions of eviction. How can I protect my landlady from being held accountable for his son's wrongdoings?

Morris Leo Greb
Morris Leo Greb
answered on Aug 5, 2022

There is no easy answer to an outsider stepping in the help a perceived problem. If you believe that there is physical or mental abuse, I would suggest is that you contact the local police for a wellness check.

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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for New Jersey on
Q: we are selling our co-op and buying a home with our daughter .If we put mine and my husbands name and hers on deed if

One or both of us go to nursing home can they take her house

Leonard R. Boyer
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answered on Jun 1, 2022

This a bad move, do not do this or you will deeply regret it. Your daughter is the only one whose name that should be on the deed. Anything else is senseless.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Elder Law for New Jersey on
Q: What is the benefits or disadvantages of will compared to a trust

My mom is 90 years old and she has a will. I keep on telling her I think she should get a trust, I think it’s called a living trust. She has six children and everything is to be divided equally. Is a will sufficient

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on May 16, 2022

The honest answer is that a good Will is all the most people need. Why? A properly drafted living trust generally costs several times what a Will generally costs upfront and over your lifetime. Thus, the reason you will see most poor and middle class people use Wills and many of the Rich will... View More

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