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New Jersey Probate Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: What happens in NJ if poa/executor spends/misappropriated decedent's assets ?

What happens in NJ if poa/executor spend decedent's assets ?

What happens if probate court determines the poa/executor (same person also benificary) misappropriated monies and says can't repay benificaries?

1) will beneficiary get judgement & lose cost of lawyer fees?... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: I have the 1st option to buy my parents house, I dont want it. The executor wants to sell, do I have to sign anything?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 9, 2024

You have this posted under "Contracts," but it's possible it could be something larger than a simple contract for the sale of a house, since you mention an executor. This could be a situation where you might want to consider a consult with an attorney who handles estates, wills, and... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Probate for New Jersey on
Q: How to decline duty of co-executor prior to probate?

I need to decline duty as co-executor due to family issues with the co-executor. We have not yet filed for probate. Can you confirm that I simply need to go to the county courthouse and file a renunciation of executor form? Do I need to inform the co-executor in a formal/legal way that I have... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Probate and Wrongful Death for New Jersey on
Q: my son‘s father was killed by a drunk driver . The other passenger in the car that survived is now suing my son’s estate

my son’s father died by getting hit by a drunk driver. he was driving. Uber at the time. One of the passengers died as well and One survived. The one that survived is now filing a wrongful death lawsuit against my son’s estate. He’s cleaning all these claims that he told my son‘s father to... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 22, 2024

I'm very sorry for the loss of your son's father. Like you say, it could be a matter of grabbing at straws for lack of other viable sources of compensation. You mention having a lawyer - it isn't clear from the description if this is a probate lawyer for the estate or a... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Banking, International Law and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: How do you get money from an account that was left to a deceased spouse in Puerto Rico?

My husband's grandmother passed away 10 years ago in Puerto Rico. She left him money that his Aunts knew about and never told us. My husband passed away 7 years ago and they're just telling me now about this. How do I claim this money?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 19, 2024

To claim the money left by your husband's grandmother to your deceased husband, you will need to go through the legal process in Puerto Rico. Here are the general steps you should follow:

1. Obtain a copy of your husband's death certificate and his grandmother's will or...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: when the judge says it’s going to trial at a conference what does that mean?

Estate litigation family not getting along .

Leonard R. Boyer
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answered on Jun 1, 2024

It means that you are not represented by counsel and better retain an experienced Probate attorney right away. Trying to represent yourself in such a complex matter can have grave consequences. Good luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: How can I get a Will Validated, or deemed not valid in New Jersey

I need to get my Father's Will be validated or deem not valid to obtain documentation for Puerto Rico Courts. Back up note. He died in Puerto Rico; however, Puerto Rico is asking for documentation from New Jersey Courts to verify that the will is not valid. How do I go about getting this and... View More

Thomas Brett Duffy
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answered on May 26, 2024

First, I am sorry to learn your dad passed away. It's not a simple situation anytime.

As to your question, I'd need to know a lot more about the particulars. I take it he was a resident of NJ and died in PR on vacation, visiting relatives, wintering, etc. This happens a lot in...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: How long do I have to object to an accounting and file a surcharge action against an estate representative in NJ?

A recent Court order details the estate representative is to complete the estate and provide an informal accounting by the next hearing date, which is a month from now. After conducting a property records search I found a number of estate properties have yet to be listed and/or sold. I have doubts... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 27, 2024

Consult with a NJ attorney: but are you sure the real properties that you looked at are in fact assets of the Estate? Chances are the heirs at law own them, not the Estate. You might search the titles also and determine present ownership. If they are Estate assets, then file a motion to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Banking and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Trying to settle a bank account of my mom who passed. It’s under $7k and they ask for entitlement document or something.

What type of document is this, is it a next of kin document? Does this document need to be filed in court or can I fill it out and just have it notarized? Bank account opened in New Jersey but she was living in the Philippines at the time of death. No will and she didn’t list a beneficiary on the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 11, 2024

In this situation, the bank is likely requesting documentation to establish your legal right to claim the funds in your mother's account. This is a standard procedure when the account holder has passed away, and there is no designated beneficiary or joint account holder.

Since your...
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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Mom died suddenly, had annuities, no beneficiary. Who gets annuities??

Mom died, had annuities. Didn't want to leave my sister anything. Told so many people even her advisors she wants nothingto do with her. My mom stopped talking to her almost 5 years.

In a case like this, my sister is suing me for the annuities. Could I fight this in court? My mom... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Dec 29, 2023

In the absence of a designated beneficiary on the annuities, the distribution of your mother's assets, including the annuities, would typically follow the laws of intestacy in New Jersey. These laws determine the heirs and their respective shares. If your sister is taking legal action to claim... View More

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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, Collections, Legal Malpractice and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Why didn't I get a physical copy of the agreement between me and my attorney and why won't you send me one?

The attorney that I retained never gave me the written agreement between us for what he should be doing and charging during administration of my mother's estate. I asked him to send me a copy but he never did. When I voiced my dissatisfaction about the services I had acquired. I received a... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Nov 7, 2023

The attorney should most certainly provide you a copy. In some States the fee agreement is invalid if you do not get a copy.

Put your request for the fee agreement in writing.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: We are trying to figure out who is the next of Kin and we need to go to probate.

My wife’s mother and her husband “stepfather” owned a house and they both passed away. Neither of them had a will. Her mother died first and then her husband died. The children are not the husband's children. The New Jersey property is valued at $48,000. Does my wife and her sibling have... View More

Elisabeth Ann Lambert
Elisabeth Ann Lambert
answered on Nov 6, 2023

I'm not a New Jersey attorney, so I can only give you some basic guidance and a direction of where to look. You will need to search for "New Jersey intestate succession." This website seems to have a good overview of how property is distributed when there is not a will; called... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Hello My ex husband passed away in September and he had several insurance from work. Who can I contact at his job?

I have his children and he gave me papperwork for once insurance but the others were signed 20 years ago and he didn't have time to change info so I wanted to know if I am able to use a text message he gave me stating that everything he has belong to the girls and I, so I can claim?... View More

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Nov 2, 2023

Sounds like you will need to hire a probate lawyer to get what you want if the family is not cooperating. The main person you need to speak to is the executor of his will. You can find this out by going to the provate court yourself. As for insurance you can call the insurance company and see if... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Probate and Estate Planning for New Jersey on
Q: My brother told me dad changed him to the beneficiary the week before he passed which wasn’t true what do I do?

I went to New Jersey to help plan funeral services and when I arrived he blocked me on facebook our way of communicating. At the funeral home the director said I had to sign a paper making him the executor. I asked what would happen to everything in April well month after month my brother told me... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 5, 2023

In this situation, it's crucial to seek legal guidance from an attorney who practices probate or estate law in New Jersey. They can help you understand your rights and the proper procedures for contesting the beneficiary designation if it was indeed changed under suspicious circumstances. You... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Land Use & Zoning and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Both of my parents died. My stepdad was the last to pass away. He typed up a last testament and left the three propertie

Both of my parents died. My stepdad was the last to pass away. He typed up a last testament and left the three properties and left it to my relative. Which isn't related to him. My mom had a will drawn up from an attorney years ago. It states that I'm her executor. I probated her will... View More

Leonard R. Boyer
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answered on Jul 31, 2023

This is not the type of question that can be answered in a forum like this. This case will be one that an attorney would charge about an hour of time to review all the documents and provide you with your options and an understanding of what has happened. Pick the best attorney you can find and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for New Jersey on
Q: will credit card debt be forgiven after death with no real property?

will credit card debt be cancelled after parents pass ?

Morris Leo Greb
Morris Leo Greb
answered on Jul 7, 2023

Depends on whether there were cosigners as well as the size of the probate estate and other assets owned by the decedent.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Brother died in 2017 but I didn't find 2022. I'm admin for estate. What date is used for EIN Date Estate Formed?
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 3, 2023

Use the year that you were granted Letters of Administration.

2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Tax Law, Estate Planning and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: If a business owner passes away and was married at the time who does the business go to if the is no will ?
Cesar Mejia Duenas
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answered on Jun 1, 2023

There are two set of rules here. First, the rules of the business entity (operating agreement, bylaws, partnership agreement, etc.), and the Florida Laws. The interest in the business entity sometimes has a transfer on-death provision. If the interest in the business passes to a certain beneficiary... View More

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