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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.

Selling a home “as is” – what does that really mean?

Posted by Anthony Serra | Feb 14, 2023 | 0 Comments

Virtually all real estate transactions are sold "as is" though to be a true "as is" sale, the inspection contingency clause needs to be removed from the contract, or at least specifically narrowed to identifiable items that may be inspected such as the septic system or the existence of an underground storage tank (UST).

Death Certificates: What Address to Use?

Posted by Anthony Serra | Sep 12, 2022 | 0 Comments

When working with funeral homes to complete the Death Certificate, make sure they are using as the person's address, the address of their home and not that of a temporary care facility or hospital. It may be that the person died in a particular town and county, but to properly probate the estate, the Death Certificate should reflect the address of the person's home or domicile.

When Is The Right Time To Re-Do Your Will?

Posted by Anthony Serra | Sep 03, 2022 | 0 Comments

Having a will is important as it helps you plan for the inevitable – your death. However, if you already have a will, making sure your will is current and up to date is just as important. Life events such as acquiring significant assets, changing who the executors, guardians and trustees will be, adding or eliminating beneficiaries and the death of a spouse or partner are all good reasons to consider re-doing and updating your will.

Being Prepared for the Unexpected: Disability and Incapacity

Posted by Anthony Serra | Aug 23, 2022 | 0 Comments

They say an once of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Boy is that so true in the world of estate planning. It is so simple to establish a basic estate plan that can prevent many unfortunate legal hardships down the road, yet surprisingly many people put off doing it. I always like to say - TAKE control while you are IN control!

Why Estate Planning and Charitable Gifts Go Hand-In-Hand

Posted by Anthony Serra | Jul 22, 2022 | 0 Comments

Estate planning and charitable gifts go hand in hand. Leaving money to worthy charities is a great way of supporting the causes in which you believe while also minimizes the amount of taxes your estate may have to pay. Sometimes even a modest financial gift to a small, but inspiring charity can be transformative!

What Is Intestacy?

Posted by Anthony Serra | Jun 29, 2022 | 0 Comments

Intestacy is a legal term that refers to the situation where someone dies without a will.  When a person dies without having made a will, his or her estate is said to pass by "intestacy". In other words, it's distributed according to the state's laws of intestacy. In most cases, your estate will pass is a way you may not have wanted. So to avoid that, all you need to do is prepare a will. Simple.

What Is A Codicil?

Posted by Anthony Serra | Jun 16, 2022 | 0 Comments

A codicil is just a fancy name for an amendment to an existing will. Years ago when wills were handwritten (yes that was many years ago!) or prepared on a typewriter, codicils were more prevalent since no one wanted to re-write or re-type an entire will to only make a minor revision, like naming a new guardian or trustee for your children. It was much easier to simply amend the old will by adding a one-page codicil.

How to Create a Psychiatric Advance Directive in New Jersey

Posted by Anthony Serra | Jun 03, 2022 | 0 Comments

As we close out Mental Health Awareness Month with our efforts to raise awareness, and in follow up to our last blog The 3 Documents Your Need In Your Estate Plan, in this article we offer information on how to create a fourth kind of document to consider creating alongside your estate planning documents, which is called a psychiatric advance directive (PAD). A PAD is a legal tool that allows a person with mental illness to state their preferences for treatment in advance of a crisis. They can serve as a way to protect a person's autonomy and ability to self-direct care.  Creating a PAD is an essential step to protect your rights and to ensure you receive the care you want if you currently have, or are ever diagnosed, with a mental illness.  A PAD is an official document that outlines your preferences for how you want to be treated in the event that you are ever unable to make decisions for yourself. 

The 3 Documents You Need in Your Estate Plan

Posted by Anthony Serra | May 26, 2022 | 0 Comments

An estate plan should consist of three basic documents: 1) a Last Will and Testament; 2) an Advance Directive for Medical Care; and 3) A Durable General Power of Attorney. Very inexpensive insurance for when you die and in the event become disabled.

“X” Marks the Spot

Posted by Anthony Serra | May 23, 2022 | 0 Comments

Under New Jersey law, a person who is unable to sign their name to a legal document can still sign by either placing an "X" or some other mark next to their printed name, or by directing a third part to sign on their behalf.

Care Before Cure: Listening to the Story

Posted by Anthony Serra | May 16, 2022 | 0 Comments

Listening to someone's story to get a better understanding of their situation and what they want to accomplish is just as important as the ultimate legal advice a lawyer gives to his or her client. There is no substitute for taking the time to listen to what another person has to say and showing them that you care enough to hear them out. Care always precedes the cure!

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