Unsurprisingly, a person’s last will and testament can be a major source of conflict for any family, even if that family typically gets along well. There can be fights over who gets to keep money, houses, cars, and other valuables, of course, but also fights over precious heirlooms and other things that have emotional value, even if they aren’t worth much monetarily. Fortunately, there are things you can do when you’re writing your will to preempt these kinds of conflicts. Continue reading “Shortcutting Conflict in Your Will”
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Is an LLC Right for You?
You may have seen the letters “LLC” next to a company name and wondered what it meant. Or perhaps you have heard of LLCs before, but wondered what the point of them was, or what made them different from corporations. Fortunately, LLCs aren’t too hard to understand as an idea, and forming your own LLC can have many advantages, depending on your individual circumstances. Continue reading “Is an LLC Right for You?”
Things to Check When You Buy Real Estate
If you are looking to purchase real estate, whether it’s for your home, or your business, or for any other reason, there are a few things you’ll want to do before you seal the deal. Of course, there are the obvious things, such as having the property inspected for mold, termites or structural issues. However, there are other, less obvious problems that can give you a big headache later. Continue reading “Things to Check When You Buy Real Estate”
Going Bankrupt Isn’t the End of the Line
When you are deep in debt and considering bankruptcy, it can seem almost like the end of the world. With your finances underwater, with more debt than you can reasonably handle, declaring bankruptcy can feel like giving up, and you might not know how to climb back up. Fortunately, however, bankruptcy can be the first step to recovering your financial future, provided you are prudent about how you handle yourself. Continue reading “Going Bankrupt Isn’t the End of the Line”
What is a Living Trust, and Why Would You Want One?
In the context of estate planning, you might sometimes hear about “living trusts,” also called revocable trusts or inter vivos trusts. Living trusts are useful tools for anyone trying to plan for their future under certain circumstances, as they can allow you to fully marshal all assets of your estate prior to your death in lieu of having a last will and testament. Living trusts can create some security for you and your loved ones, since you direct how the trust will be managed and distributed according to your wishes even when you are not there to take care of your family anymore. Continue reading “What is a Living Trust, and Why Would You Want One?”
The Fiduciary Duty of an Estate’s Executor
When a person dies with a last will and testament, it becomes the duty of someone (usually someone dictated within the will itself) to execute the will of the deceased. On the one hand, it is an honor to be trusted with carrying out someone else’s will. On the other hand, it comes with a lot of work and potential liabilities, and it can be helpful to know what you’re getting into, in case you or someone you know is making a decision about who they want to be the executor of their estate. Continue reading “The Fiduciary Duty of an Estate’s Executor”
Bankruptcy, Credit and You
When you’re deep in debt, it can feel like there’s no way out. Bankruptcy can offer relief by discharging some or all your existing debts, but many people fear the effect that declaring bankruptcy will have on their credit ratings. After all, declaring bankruptcy can impact a person’s credit, making it harder to do things like getting credit cards, applying for loans or looking for a new apartment or home. Continue reading “Bankruptcy, Credit and You”
Writing a Will is a Little Headache Now, to Stop a Big Headache Later
Many people, understandably, don’t want to think about writing a will. Not only does it require confronting uncomfortable subject matter (which is to say, one’s own mortality), but it can be a tedious and lengthy process as well. Going over all your property and figuring out who it should go to when you die is unpleasant in every sense of the word… but it’s not nearly as unpleasant as the alternative.
Continue reading “Writing a Will is a Little Headache Now, to Stop a Big Headache Later”
Proposed New Jersey Legislation Seeks to Combat Foreclosure Crisis
Despite the fact that the national foreclosure rate seems to be improving, year after year New Jersey continues to lead the nation in foreclosures. Recently, a bill package has been advanced by the New Jersey State Senate that seeks to address the state’s foreclosure crisis. Continue reading “Proposed New Jersey Legislation Seeks to Combat Foreclosure Crisis”
Transferring Guardianship Across State Lines
Due to economic pressures, weather, and employment opportunities, more Northeast residents are looking to move out of state. According to a recent LendingTree study, as many as 17.5% of New Jersey residents are looking to move out of state. What is New Jersey residents’ most common destination state of choice? Florida. Regardless of whether or not you’re looking to move to the sunshine state or another state of choice, it is important to determine how the move will affect legal relationships that were established in New Jersey such as guardianship of another person. Those who have established a guardianship and are looking to move out of state should seek the guidance of an experienced New Jersey guardianship lawyer who can advise them of their legal rights and help guide them through the transition. Continue reading “Transferring Guardianship Across State Lines”
