The Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) adopted regulations concerning eligibility for Veteran’s Benefits to help pay for long term care costs. There are many …
Understanding Ancillary Probate in New Jersey and How it Works
Here’s a Helpful Article on How to Legally Transfer Real Estate Located in New Jersey Which is Owned by a Non-Resident Decedent’s Estate Ancillary …
Can I Control What Happens to My Corpse After My Passing?
While working on health care directives, I have had clients ask me about leaving special instructions for their loved ones on what they can …
Special Needs Trust, IRAs, and Child Support; How They Can All Work Together
IRA and a Special Needs Trust An individual retirement account or Inherited IRA can be owned by a person with a disability and also …
Another Dead Body Goes to Court
As I have previously written, NJ law allows individuals to make their own funeral and/or burial arrangements in a will, or designate a personal …
Who Has Standing to File a Guardianship Action?
The general rule (actually, it’s the law) is that a person who seeks to become a guardian for someone must have legal standing, meaning …
The Enforcement of Restrictive Covenants in Commercial Leases
Restrictive covenants prohibiting competition by tenants in a shopping center can be enforced in New Jersey. This article discusses when and when not a …
Child Support Can Be Placed in a Special Needs Trust to Preserve Government Benefits
Child support can be directed to a first party special needs trust, if one exists. Child support cannot go into a third party special …
You Can’t Wait 8 Years After a Person’s Death and Then Decide to Sue an Estate Executor
Families often fall apart when a parent dies and the kids start dividing up the estate. Sometimes even after the estate is concluded, one …
I Quit! I Refuse to Continue to Be Your Power of Attorney
You’ve heard of buyer’s remorse. What seemed like no big deal becomes more than expected and so the Power of Attorney gives up and …
If You Are Disinherited by Your Dead Parent’s Second Spouse, What Legal Action Can You Take?
Biological children are often disinherited by their deceased parent’s second spouse. The second spouse changes his/her Will and they leave it to their children/family …
A Spouse Can Waive Inheritance Rights to Their Spouse’s Estate and It’s Enforceable Against NJ Medicaid
New Jersey law entitles a surviving spouse to receive an elective share of one-third of his/her deceased spouse’s estate. N.J.S.A. 313:8-1-11. A “surviving spouse …
After You Kick Out Your Tenant, Be Careful Before You Kick Out Their Junk
Recently, a trial judge determined that an evicted tenant was obligated to pay to plaintiff, the landlord, $2,509.79 for the costs incurred to remove …
You Don’t Lose Your Status as a Partner if You Assign Your Partnership Interest to Your Revocable Trust
Four dentists formed a partnership to acquire and maintain a dental office building. The then-partners amended their agreement to allow one of the partners …
Suicide Is No Defense to the Enforcement of a Marital Property Settlement Agreement
The NJ Supreme Court recently considered a case of whether a decedent breached his Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) with his spouse by committing suicide …
Costs of Airfare to Attend a Funeral Are Not Permissible Deductions on a New Jersey Income Tax Return
New Jersey has regulations on permissible deductions from inheritance taxes. These permissible deductions are set forth in the State’s Administration Code. Not all estate …
Qualifying for the “Business Court”
Did you know New Jersey has a business court dedicated exclusively to commercial, construction, business and corporation cases? To qualify, your attorney must designate …
Can a Zoning Board Make Owner Occupancy a Condition of Granting a Use Variance?
Zoning boards in NJ grant use variances. Generally, a condition of variance approval cannot include a requirement for owner occupancy of a personal residence. …
What is NJ FamilyCare for Persons Over Age 65?
NJ FamilyCare programs cover individuals who are age 65 years or older as well as individuals determined by the Social Security Administration or by …
What’s the Next Step for Landlords and Evictions Restricted by the CARES Act?
You may have heard that, as part of the Federal CARES Act, Congress imposed a moratorium on certain tenancy filings. This moratorium only applies …
Hey, Mr. Executor, Know Your Role
If you have been named as an estate representative, knowing your responsibilities is very important. The following article is a general introduction to your …
Another Case of Alleged Wrongful Disclosure of Confidential Information and Breach of Contract Goes to Trial
Breaching a Confidentiality Agreement Can Lead to Serious Legal Liability Plaintiff is the former employer of Defendant. Plaintiff and Defendant entered into a confidentiality …
What if I Can’t Find the Original Will?
NJ Estate and Probate laws allow for a copy of a Will to be probated under limited situations This article discusses how to probate …
Does an Inherited IRA Have Creditor Protection Status Under NJ Law
In some states creditors can seize an Inherited IRA The IRS and Bankruptcy Court(s) can also seize an Inherited IRA This article discusses inherited …
Dealing With Customers Who May Be on the Verge of Bankruptcy
The bankruptcy code provides business creditors with defenses to stop the return of money received by a debtor during …
Some Things Just Can’t Be Changed. Understanding What Provisions of an Operating Agreement Under the New Jersey Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (RULLCA) Cannot Be Waived
The New Jersey Limited Liability Company (LLC) Act is flexible in many ways giving members of an LLC freedom to negotiate and create a …
A Dead Man’s Estate Can Appeal Denial of Medicaid Long Term Care Benefits
Federal and NJ laws and regulations allow an applicant to appeal denial of Medicaid nursing home and assisted living benefits. A fair hearing appeal …
An Executor or an Estate Administrator Has Significant Discretion When Probating an Estate
Executors and Administrators of an Estate have significant discretion in the probate of an Estate under New Jersey Law. This article addresses important principles …
Taxation of Special Needs Trust Made Simple(er)
This article discusses basic tax principles of a Special Needs Trust; hereafter referred to at times as a SNT. Each Type of Special Needs …
What is the Buy-Out Formula of a LLC Member Under the Revised New Jersey Limited Liability Act (RULLA)
The New Jersey version of the Revised Uniform Limited Liability Act authorizes a member a buy-out in lieu of company dissolution when there is …