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New Jersey Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Administrator of my son's wrongful Death settlement.

I appointed my youngest son to be administrator of my oldest son's wrongful death suit. How can I have him removed? As he is not fulfilling his duties. He has repeatedly promised to send me the funds and has only sent a portion. He also took it upon himself to take half of funds from the... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Apr 15, 2024

Hire an attorney to make a claim on the Surety Bond. You may have to sue the administrator first (read the bond), but getting that Bond involved is where you will get paid some money.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: ejectment attorney near red bank..need to remove son from dads home

no job, no car, no degree, no friends, in therapy

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Apr 7, 2024

Search the Justia Database for Landlord Tenant Attorneys they are the attorneys most familiar with this type of work. But expect to pay several thousands of dollars to make this happen.

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 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

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Gov & Administrative Law and Estate Planning for New Jersey on
Q: My boyfriend co-signed with me on the purchase of a vehicle, and we are both on title. I have made and continue to make

all the car payments, and we are both on the loan. My boyfriend died a couple years ago, and I now want to put the vehicle in only my name, except motor vehicle requires a copy of the death certificate, which the family will not give me. What recourse do I have to require them to give me a copy of... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Sep 6, 2023

You need to meet with an estate planning lawyer to educate you on what steps you need to take to transfer the title to the car into your name alone. While you may have made all of the payments, my concern is whether his estate makes a claim against you for their "share" of the value of... View More

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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 Estate Planning and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: My dad died intestate in Essex County, NJ. How to get car title to spouse's name with as little paperwork as possible.

After dad died, we notified his bank and they accelerated his car loan. They said the loan would have to be paid off or the car would be repossessed. Mom paid off loan but the title came in his name. Now, we want to sell the car. Of course, my mom is older and we want to get this done with as... View More

Morris Leo Greb
Morris Leo Greb
answered on Jun 22, 2023

File an application for the probate of an intestate decedent's estate with the Surrogate's Court in Essex County.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New Jersey on
Q: are their ways around power of attorney?

My aunt has power of attorney over my grandfather. He is pretty healthy and of sound mind. She decided that they are selling his house and moving him. Are their ways to stop this?

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jun 12, 2023

So long as your grandfather is still of sound mind, he has the right to change the POA designation. My suggestion is that you and your grandfather schedule a meeting with an experienced estate planning lawyer to discuss the plan to sell his home and whether he wants to change the POA designation to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Banking for New Jersey on
Q: My brother passed away October 2022 and didn't have a will, can I collect his funds from his bank account?

His friend and coworker attempted to gain access to his funds from his Bank Of America accounts since my brother didn't have a Will or designate anyone with the Power Of Attorney, does he have a claim even though I'm his sole kin?

Morris Leo Greb
Morris Leo Greb
answered on Jun 6, 2023

In a joint account, in the case of one joint tenant dying, the survivor takes. In all other matters, probate proceedings must be filed with the County Surrogate, an administrator will be appointed and a bond required. Thereafter, the estate will pass in accordance with state statutes.

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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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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Legal next of kin of a deceased missing

My niece whom I haven't had contacts for over 10 years just passed away in New Jersey. She is single and both of her parents are deceased. She has one son 25 years ago when she was an unwed teenager and she gave him to his father to raise. I am not aware if they have any relationship and I... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Apr 17, 2023

It sounds like her estate is comprised of debt as opposed to assets and presuming I am correct, not sure how you can take what remains of her assets to pay for her funeral costs while not using that same money for payment of her outstanding secured debts ( ie child support).

While your...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for New Jersey on
Q: Question regarding a one dollar property deed transfer and a life estate right on the same document

I have a deed where the grantor transferred property to grantee for 1$. In the same deed the second sentence is that the grantor conveys a Life Estate to the grantee for his natural life. The grantor later made a will and left the same property to the different person, and no taxes of any type... View More

Peter J. Weinman
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answered on Apr 11, 2023

You said the grantor conveyed a life estate to the grantee but you probably meant "grantor**." Anyway, provided the earlier deed was recorded (you did not specify - you only said you had it) the grantor's Will matters not because AT MOST he retained a life estate that dies with him,... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New Jersey on
Q: Hello. My father had no will when he passed. I am currently in the process of becoming the administrator of his estate.

I have four siblings and one wants to disclaim his share of any inheritance. I was told by the Surrogate Court that he needs to file a disclaimer through a lawyer, but I'd like to know if hiring a lawyer is actually necessary. I've handled the estate without legal representation. I just... View More

Morris Leo Greb
Morris Leo Greb
answered on Mar 24, 2023

If the estate were probated in NJ, the renunciation properly completed can be filed pro se. If propated in NY, you need to pose the issue with a member of the NY Bar.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for New Jersey on
Q: We are interested in creating a Living Trust in NJ. Asset=House to 2 children, Bank accounts = to 2 children. What is t

Asset=House to 2 children, Bank accounts/annuity = to 2 children. What is the process/concerns. Would like to avoid probate. Or should we create a different document?

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

Firstly, probate in NJ is very simple and not complicated. I do not suggest irrevocable trusts as life is uncertain. With an irrevocable trust, the grantor (creator of the trust) loses substantial control of the assets. Thus as life's needs changes, the grantor may not be able to change the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New Jersey on
Q: Endorsing an estate check with two executors

My sister and I couldn't locate will upon dad's death so we obtained Letters of Administration as co-administrators. My sister is not live locally. Can I endorse check myself as administrator and deposit into estate account at bank?

Morris Leo Greb
Morris Leo Greb
answered on Mar 4, 2023

Yes. Best practice would be go email copy of check to sister then email her copy of deposit ticket into the estate account. Also, if both are not receiving copies of the bank's estate statement, be sure to send her copies of this also.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New Jersey on
Q: How to bind together multiple pages of the last will?

If the will has multiple pages how to bind them together? Do I need to number and initial every page? Can notary stamp every page? asking for NJ

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Feb 23, 2023

Honestly, if you need to ask this question you should hire a lawyer to prepare your will. I have seen many people save a thousand dollars on having a will made only to end up in probate court spending tens of thousands to rectify the errors that were made in the Will. It is called being penny... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New Jersey on
Q: Can I probate a will years later after person's death in NJ?

My mothers aunt passed away 20 years ago, and left a house for my mother. She didn't start the probation process since there was a person living in the house with a life estate deed and paying all the bills and taxes. Now my mom wants to probate the will, are there any time limits for will... View More

Morris Leo Greb
Morris Leo Greb
answered on Feb 23, 2023

Yes, offer the will for probate. Because of the passage of time, it may be probate will need to be done in formal style.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for New Jersey on
Q: In NJ, is it fraud to make distributions dependent on signiture not to sue if willfull misconduct is later discovered?

Executor/trustee insists he won't give anything until all beneficiaries sign a document which says they agree that the will and trust documents state that the beneficiaries have no right to an accounting. The document also states that they cannot sue for any purpose, even if facts are later... View More

Morris Leo Greb
Morris Leo Greb
answered on Feb 20, 2023

Are you referring to a release and refunding bond or another document. If a release and refunding bond, you may insist on amending the document so the release excludes waiving any rights against the executor for improper action but the refunding bond should be signed if written in the traditional... View More

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