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New Jersey Probate Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Probate for New Jersey on
Q: My single brother died with no children. Two surviving brothers. How do we get access to bank account for burial ?
H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on May 3, 2021

The answer would depend on many factors the first and most important is what's in his will if he has one if not this will be a long process.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: My great grandmother owned land/property in Puerto Rico. Is it mandatory that we retain an attorney in PR for probate?

My grandmother believes that she is the rightful owner as the next of kin. However, I am trying to locate any documentation that proves same as Hurricane Maria heavily damaged the home.

Morris Leo Greb
Morris Leo Greb
answered on May 3, 2021

It would be wise to speak to an attorney here in NJ who is also admitted in PR and familiar with PR probate proceedings.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for New Jersey on
Q: I live in NJ & my deceased father lived in puerto-Rico. Do I find a probate lawyer in my state or his?
Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Apr 7, 2021

His state. Does he have anything to be probated in NJ or PR for that matter?

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Is 50 interrogatories normal in will dispute?

My dad left me the house, I cared for him 24/7 for 400 days. My siblings all own their own homes and never visited or came to funeral, but want the house. The house has a lean that I was paying

Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Apr 5, 2021

I am sorry to hear about your loss.

So, 50 interrogatories can be high or low based on the case and what is being asked and why. Have one case where over 60 medical subpoenas are going out based on things that happened and multi years of multiple doctors. The interrogatories varied from...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: In NJ how long does a spouse have to file for elective shares?

My father passed away and there was a prenup and his wife got nothing, it’s been almost 1 year since his passing and 7 months since the will was probated and I was made executor, she keeps asking me for things and if I don’t agree she threatens with these elective shares, is there a time limit... View More

Leonard R. Boyer
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answered on Apr 1, 2021

No one can answer any questions about the "elective" shares, without reviewing them. If you were previously represented by counsel, then you need to contact that attorney. If not, you are going to need to retain counsel to resolve this matter. During this pandemic, you have a choice of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for New Jersey on
Q: When calculating executor commission, do you count only probate assets or also non probate assets with designated benef?
Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Mar 29, 2021

Tricky question. The key phrase if you dig into the law is "taken in by the executor." A non-probate asset may end up in the executor's hands. So a non-probate asset designated in a poor way may have to be probated. (Example: 401k beneficiary names a dead sibling. No secondary... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for New Jersey on
Q: In NJ how does mom/executor access streamlined or no probate for deceased dad's non-joint bank acct. with $9,000 in it?

Trying to help mom through these last few steps. The bank has made her husband's bank non-joint account an Estate of [his name] account. We have read that, if the decedent did not have valuable property over $20,000, surviving family members can take advantage of New Jersey’s simplified... View More

Barbara Ungar
Barbara Ungar
answered on Mar 4, 2021

Your mom would need to file the correct forms with the probate court in the county where she resides. If her husband had a will and the will named her the executor of the will, she would need to fill out the probate forms with the original will and submit it to the probate court where she resides.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for New Jersey on
Q: How I do creditor claim against my ex husband probate estate if court was in NV, but he moved to NJ?
H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Feb 18, 2021

A judgment in one state can be enforced in another.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Probate and Estate Planning for New Jersey on
Q: Grandfather passed away with no spouse father passed away 2 months after no will was made who inherents the estate

Im am the grandson and attempting to begin the probate process i assume...

Kevin E. Flynn
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Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Jan 20, 2021

I am sorry for your loss. This question was pushed out to patent attorneys and does not belong there. I am responding so that the question it linked to the right groups.

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Tax Law, Estate Planning and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: My ex wife has recently passed away. Am I or my daughter responsible for any or all of her bills?

My ex-wife passed away last week. She was rushed to the hospital and had no medical insurance. Our daughter is a full time college student, and has just turned 21. Is my daughter responsible for her mother's medical bills? Or any other bills? Such as back taxes her mother owed?

Am I... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Dec 30, 2020

I'm very sorry for your family's loss. If you wanted to try reposting and adding Probate and Estate Planning as categories, you could have better chances of a response. There's no guarantee all posts are picked up, but it sounds like something where an attorney could give more... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Husband died intestate in NJ. I am administrator. there are 3 children....no property only cash. what is the law

there is only 60,000 left after bills but I am confused on the law when it says ...spouse gets 25% but not less that 50,000 or more than 200,000....Do I keep the 60,000 with out sharing or ??? Im confused

Derek John Soltis
Derek John Soltis
answered on Dec 4, 2020

I am sorry for your loss. The division of property depends on whether these are also your children or un-adopted stepchildren. If they are your and your husband's kids, you keep everything.

If you have step-children, you probably should talk to an attorney because the division of...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for New Jersey on
Q: My father had no spouse but children

My father died intestate but he had no spouse but had 3 children from his ex spouse my mother

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Oct 29, 2020

This question is best answered by a lawyer who specializes in estate work - my suggestion is that you look for a lawyer who specializes in estates and trusts and schedule a consultation with him / her. I dont know how much money your dad had at the time of his passing or whether he owned any real... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Criminal Law, Elder Law, Estate Planning and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Lawyer drafted a trust, will and POA document. Less than two years later POA/Trustee is being taken to court by benefici

Beneficiary has evidence to prove the POA/Trustee is breaching his fiduciary duties. Beneficiary hires a lawyer. His lawyer petitions the court for a discovery which is denied. Judge orders a deposition of the POA/Trustee. My lawyer failed to reveal a significant amount of info to persuade the... View More

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Oct 19, 2020

You didn't ask a specific question, I suggest that you seek an in office consultation to get a second opinion if you don't like what your lawyer is telling you or what he is asking you to do. That being said expect a lawyer to charge you for his time and advise.

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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for New Jersey on
Q: What are my rights as an heir to my mothers will

Is there a probate hearing in Cape May County NJ and how does that work. What if I wish to contest the executor named in the will. My brother is one of the executors and I dont know if I can trust him. What is the requirement of the executor to share all financial records of my deceased mother.

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Oct 3, 2020

Speak with a lawyer a probate hearing is generally only if the case is contested. The will generally is just filed with the court and the executor appointed as per the will. The fact that you don't trust him won't sway the court much as the person that needed to trust the executor was... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Juvenile Law for New Jersey on
Q: If I’m 17 and on probation can I live with someone that isn’t a relative ?
H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Sep 19, 2020

The decision will be up to your probation officer but generally you will need to live with your guardian who is generally your parents.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for New Jersey on
Q: My son-in-law’s mother left her house to him and will was probated. He died before transfer of house. Is house his wifes

My son-in-law did not leave a will.

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Sep 11, 2020

Maybe, much more information would need to be known to properly answer this question, but the law would probably give her at least 25% See NJSA 3B:5-3(c)(1)-(2 )

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: I live in nj my bff is in the hospital in a minimal conscious state unable to make decisions

Is my minor child or my bf mother next of kin

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Sep 7, 2020

More information would be needed to properly answer your question as you did not say whether your minor child is also his child.

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Civil Rights, Elder Law and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Do lawyers have access to court audios?

Are attorneys able to get an audio of a court hearing that they're involved in fairly quickly?

Andrew M Shaw
Andrew M Shaw
answered on Aug 31, 2020

Yes, absolutely. For a $10 fee, it is quite simple to obtain audio of a Court proceeding. The audio file is usually provided by the Court within a couple days.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Life Insurance Policy Missing

Deceased woman left a life insurance policy in her husband and son's name. The son was serving as her executor. Father told son her wishes were for him to divide it between her four children. He told dad he put it in his name because he didn't want to be taxed on it. His father said, in... View More

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Aug 19, 2020

You never stated who you where so you may not have any case at all but the father may.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New Jersey on
Q: Life Insurance policy made out to my brother and father

My mother died and left a life insurance policy with my brother and father's names on it. My father stated, she did this with the intentions of my brother dividing it amongst the 4 children. He claims he didn't want to be taxed on it so he put it in dad's name. He is my dad's... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Aug 17, 2020

This is not a family law question but a question better directed to an estate litigation lawyer. It may be worth your time and money to sit down with a specialist to find out if you have recourse against your brother.

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