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The annual federal gift tax exclusion is now $16,000 per year per recipient and the lifetime gift and estate tax exemption is now $12.06 million. New Jersey abolished the estate tax in 2018, but still has a Inheritance Tax that applies in certain circumstances.

A probate attorney represents clients in settling an estate after a person dies, while an estate planning attorney represents people in preparing their estate plan. They are separate disciplines, though in certain cases, it may be advantageous to retain an attorney who has expertise in both areas since the insight gleaned from one discipline may be used to the client’s advantage in the other. The law can be very nuanced for sure!

Probate is a relatively simple process that is inexpensive and quickly achieved in the vast majority of cases.

Elder caregivers should be given special thanks for the work they do to make sure the folks they serve are protected and cared for properly. It's a difficult job to be sure, but one that is most gratifying when you know you have made the life of a vulnerable person better. That should be our life's mission each and every day.

Selling a home with a Home Sale Contingency may be fine, but you should know the implications of such a clause before agreeing to such Contract.

The Problem There are bad guys out there looking to steal your money by making you wire funds to what appears to be a legitimate destination when in fact it is going into their pockets. Avoid this risk by engaging processionals who are keenly aware of this problem and have protocols set up to protect you and your hard earned money.

A Power of Attorney is a great way of avoiding the need for guardianship over an aging parent or family member.

Making charitable donations in your will is a good way to support charities that you care about. Many charities rely on money and resources they receive from estates. Donations by will have been widely used to distribute to charities some or all a donor's remaining assets upon their death. Donati...

On November 3, NJ Voters voted yes to legalize the use of marijuana in the Garden State. However, legislators still must pass laws to end arrests for marijuana possession and to regulate the new marijuana industry before the constitutional amendment takes effect on January 1st. The proposed bill...

It is usually best to appoint only one person to be your Executor, POA or Health Care Representative since appointing two or more people can lead to conflict. However, if two or more people are appointed, then it is wise to include in your documents a "Conflict Resolution Clause" that sets out a process for resolving conflict that is designed to arrive at an amicable resolution (win/win outcome) rather than going to court (win/lose outcome).

Becoming a caregiver for your aging parents can be challenging requiring us to detect as early as possible what their deficits might be. It requires patience and persistence along with a commitment to spending time observing them and listening to what they have to say. Changing the family dynamics and culture to welcome outside help is another important strategy that will keep your parents out of a care facility for as long as possible.

Preparing a Will, Power of Attorney and Living Will does not need to be complicated or expensive. Using our Smart Law platform, you can create an entire estate plan right from your smart phone during your lunch break!

Marriage is not just a partnership, it is a business arrangement, albeit a very loving business arrangement. Marriage can have a significant financial impact on a family and on an estate plan. Estate panning is just as important for unmarried couples as it is for married couples.

As the Coronavirus continues to be an ongoing issue for many of us, more questions have arisen regarding the living will and extreme measures being taken or not in a situation when a ventilator is needed. We've touched on this topic in a previous blog, https://www.serralawgroup.com/coronavirus-a...

Have you heard the term ethical will before but was unsure what that means? We answer that question and explain how if fits into your estate planning.

A new law just passed in New Jersey allows documents to be signed and notarized remotely. This includes estate planning documents such as Wills, Powers of Attorney and Living Wills. This is a good time to get these documents in place without leaving your home.

This is a good time to do a Living Will that appoints someone to make medical decisions for you in case you can no longer do so and that spells out your wishes in terms of end of life medical treatment. Forms are available on-line from the N.J. Department of Health or via our on-line Smart Law platform. Legislation is pending that will allow remote notarization of legal documents, including Living Wills.

If you have young children, picking a guardian for them if you die is very important (and difficult). However, it's best to pick one person to be guardian rather than a couple so as to avoid confusion in case the couple is no longer together.

A Power of Attorney is an extremely important document for when (and if) you become disabled and can no longer manage your own affairs. A Power of Attorney gives someone you trust the legal authority to act foe you and in your best interests when you are unable to do so. Without a Power of Attorney, you run the risk of having someone managing your affairs who you otherwise would not want knowing your business. You can avoid that by signing a Power of Attorney.

Be patient with your grandparents. Sometimes they need the equivalent of a seeing eye dog for technology. And sometimes we need to be that dog. Most of all, revere your grandparents, for they are the window through which we peer into our future.

Not having a will is risky business. This posts gives 6 main reasons why you do not want to die without a will. Fortunately, this risk is easily addressed throughout our SMART LAW platform.

Family members frequently join together to start businesses, purchase homes and invest in income producing properties, though without any type of agreement in writing. It may not seem important, but before you enter into any type of family venture, make sure you have a written agreement that addresses all the possible things that could happen in the future. It will be money and time well spent!

When choosing who should be the executor of your estate, it is best to avoid naming two or more people to serve as co-executors. Instead, it is better to appoint the one person who you believe is most able and willing to take care of your affairs in a reasonable, objective and responsible manner.

Guardianship mediation is a very good option for family in conflict over how best to care for an elderly parent or family member.

Mediation is a "pay as you go" process, with out the need for costly retainers and hidden expenses. The cost of mediation sessions is also generally shared by the parties which means the process is far less expensive than litigation where the parties are represented by attorneys.