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Our Blog

Our Blog is our way of helping you make sense of what may otherwise be a perplexing or confusing situation in which you may find yourself.  But don't despair.  Although you may think you are the only one experiencing some type of difficulty or hardship, if you look around, you will see that others are as well.  It is said that "what is most personal is most general” — and that is true.

It's in the spirit of making the personal seem more general that we write these blogs so that you gain a better awareness of the issues you may be confronting.  And in the process of gaining awareness, you begin to develop a realistic approach to whatever it is you are seeking to accomplish. Of course, these Blog posts are no substitute for one-on-one legal advise; however, you may find them useful, if for no other reason than to put your concerns into the proper context.  From there, additional research and consultation with legal professionals can follow.

We hope you find these blogs helpful as you navigate through life's many challenges and opportunities!

P.S. if there are any topics you would like us to address, please send us a note to that effect.

Rising Rental Rates in Urban Areas

Posted by Anthony Serra | Mar 20, 2025 | 0 Comments

The New Jersey real estate market is currently navigating a complex landscape shaped by various economic and social factors. Here's an in-depth look at some of the most pressing topics influencing the state's housing sector as of March 2025. Urban centers in New Jersey, particularly Newark, have...

Dealing with Family Disputes Over an Estate

Posted by Anthony Serra | Feb 27, 2025 | 0 Comments

The loss of a loved one is difficult enough, but when family members disagree over the estate, emotions can run high. Disputes often arise over inheritances, the validity of a will, or how an estate is being handled. Fortunately, there are ways to navigate these conflicts while minimizing stress ...

Disclosing Defects to a Subsequent Buyer

Posted by Anthony Serra | Feb 19, 2025 | 0 Comments

Scenario: You enter into a Contract to sell your home and during the inspections, you are informed about material defects you otherwise did not know about. If your transaction is terminated, are you required to disclose these defects to the next buyer? Disclosure Obligation When a real estate c...

Case Study - Dr. Smith

Posted by Anthony Serra | Feb 14, 2025 | 0 Comments

Basic Facts When Dr. Smith did not show up at his office on Thursday morning, his staff knew there was a problem. Dr. Smith fell several weeks before and suffered a concussion. He seemed to recover ok, but his staff suspected something more involved. At about 9:40 am Thursday, the police calle...

Understanding Pleadings in Legal Proceedings

Posted by Anthony Serra | Jan 28, 2025 | 0 Comments

Pleadings are formal written statements submitted by parties in a legal proceeding, outlining their respective claims, defenses, and other relevant issues. They are essential in alerting the parties as to what the issues are and shaping the course of the litigation.   Types of Pleadings   The...

Temporary Guardianships: Meeting Short-Term Needs

Posted by Anthony Serra | Jan 23, 2025 | 0 Comments

Scenario: My mother has dementia and lives alone. She is fiercely independent, stubborn as a mule and has no insight into her needs. It's now 5 degrees outside, freezing in the house because the furnace keeps breaking down (and my mother refuses to replace it) and my mom is living in squalor cond...

Do I Need a Living Trust?

Posted by Anthony Serra | Dec 18, 2024 | 0 Comments

Scenario: I hear all these people talking about living trusts and how I need that to avoid costly probate. Is that all true?   What is a Trust?   A living trust is a legal arrangement where one party, known as the trustee, holds and manages assets on behalf of another party, called the benefi...

What is a Surety Bond and When is it Necessary in NJ?

Posted by Anthony Serra | Dec 09, 2024 | 0 Comments

Scenario: When Peter was appointed administrator of his late aunt's estate, he was surprised to learn he needed a surety bond before beginning his duties. Peter thought this was odd since a friend of his just settled his father's estate and was not required to get a bond. Why the difference? A s...

My Autistic Child Turns 18 in 3 Months: What Should I Do?

Posted by Anthony Serra | Dec 06, 2024 | 0 Comments

Scenario: With her autistic son turning 18 in just three months, Sarah was caught off guard by how quickly the legal landscape was changing—soon, her son would be considered an adult with full control over critical decisions. Determined to protect his future, Sarah started exploring guardianship,...

Disclosing Defects to Subsequent Buyers

Posted by Anthony Serra | Nov 26, 2024 | 0 Comments

Scenario: You enter into a Contract to sell your home and during the inspections, you are informed about material defects you otherwise did not know about. If your transaction is terminated, are you required to disclose these defects to the next buyer? Disclosure Obligation When a real estate c...

When Mortgage Commitments Get Withdrawn

Posted by Anthony Serra | Nov 25, 2024 | 0 Comments

Scenario: You applied for a mortgage and received a written mortgage commitment, thereby satisfying the mortgage contingency in the Contract. A week before the closing you lose your job, and your mortgage commitment is withdrawn. Now what?? Mortgage commitments can be withdrawn for various reaso...

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