Experienced New Jersey Estate Lawyers - Matus Law Group - NJ Lawyers for Estate Planning - Estate Attorney in New Jersey
Planning your estate with a professional attorney will allow you to protect and manage your funds now, while you are alive.
Top New Jersey Estate Planning Lawyer - Matus Law Group - Trusts, Wills, and Estates
In today’s financial landscape, having an intuitive and intelligent estate plan offers peace of mind for your own future as well as that of your legacy. Estate planning is for everyone despite the common myth that it is only for the wealthy. When you have worked your entire life to build a safety net for yourself and your family members, you want to protect it and make sure it is administered according to your wishes when you are gone.
At The Matus Law Group, NJ estate planning attorney Christine Matus and our trusts, and estates lawyers are here to ensure that your legacy is preserved for your future and for the ones you love. From drafting simple wills to administering more complex plans for asset protection, our experienced lawyers are here to help you plan your estate and protect your legacy in NJ. With three convenient locations, including Monmouth County, New Jersey, and Ocean County, New Jersey, we are here to help.
Call (732) 785-4453 today to schedule an appointment with a skilled New Jersey estate planning lawyer at the location of your choice.
We Are Here To Help
With over 20 years of experience, we are been New Jersey’s prominent estate planning lawyers. Here to assist in the matters of estate planning, estate administration, probate matters, special needs planning, elder law and Medicaid planning, and more. Contact Matus Law Group, headed by a top-rated estate planning Attorney Christine Matus to schedule a consultation today.
Why Do You Need a Wills and Estates Attorney in NJ?
Estate planning is a legal process that allows you to make important decisions about your future now. Without a solid plan and the help of an experienced estate lawyer, your legacy may be subject to tax, lengthy processes, and fees, and perhaps be administered in a way that you would not have chosen. With an estate plan in place, your legacy will be protected from these fees and taxes and your wishes will be honored.
- Protection of your property
- Protection from losses due to divorce, probate tax, bankruptcy, lawsuits, disability, nursing home expenses, and other financial threats
- Protection of your financial well being should you become incapacitated
- Guidance on who your property will be given to upon your death
- Healthcare decisions and wishes should you become incapacitated
- End-of-life decisions should you become terminally ill
These are very important matters and decisions that you want to make for yourself now. Experienced NJ estate lawyer Christine Matus and her team of estate lawyers at The Matus Law Group are here to help.
Contact us today to speak with our team of lawyers about estate planning in NJ.
When Should You Hire Estate Planning Lawyers in NJ?
Although there are avenues for fast document options and do-it-yourself online wills, probating a will and administering an estate is a complex legal matter that encompasses many issues concerning probate laws, elder laws, and special needs laws. Ensuring that your documents are correctly drafted and legally binding and that your wishes are being considered is essential. Your asset protection is not the time to trust the process to a DIY estate planning attempt.
An experienced trusts and wills lawyer will offer the peace of mind that your estate matters are legally compliant and that your documents are properly completed. Having the assistance of an estate planning lawyer can help you resolve complicated elder law, special needs law, and probate law issues. In addition, when you find a lawyer you can trust, you can be certain that they will lend a voice of objectivity and reason concerning the matters of your estate.
At The Matus Group, our skilled estate planning lawyers in New Jersey can provide the information, representation, and estate administration you need in order to ensure the safety and disbursement of your funds. We can help you with:
- Wills, trusts, healthcare directives, power of attorney, special needs planning, and other estate planning matters
- Estate administration including the management and distribution of funds
- Tax implication consultations regarding the estate tax, gift tax, and other tax issues that may affect you or your heirs
- Special needs planning
- Elder law advice
- Business succession
- Estate and trust litigation
- Advice regarding probate matters
- Representation in the New Jersey Surrogate Court
- As well as other matters of estate planning and distribution.
Creating great trusts and estate plans can feel like a big challenge, but estate planning attorney Christine Matus and her team of attorneys are here to help. Call (732) 785-4453 to make an appointment.
Benefits of a Comprehensive Estate Plan in New Jersey
An experienced estate planning attorney may be able to help create a comprehensive estate plan. There are many reasons why a person should have a comprehensive estate plan. At Matus Law Group, our estate planning lawyers will meet with clients to understand their needs and preferences. Then, they can help the client find a plan that meets all of the client’s requirements.
| Benefits of a Comprehensive Estate Plan | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Control over assets | With a comprehensive estate plan, you can decide how your assets will be distributed after your death. |
| Avoiding probate | A comprehensive estate plan can help your loved ones avoid the probate process, which can be time-consuming and costly. |
| Reducing the risk of disputes | An estate plan can help prevent disagreements and disputes between family members over your assets. |
A comprehensive estate plan will allow you to control your assets
An estate plan is the best way to make sure your voice is heard after your death. Your opinions are important and you can make decisions about who will receive your assets, and how they should be divided. Without a valid estate plan, the fate of your assets could be up to a judge you’ve never met and who does not have the same insight as you about your family’s financial situation.
Protects your family from probate
Although the New Jersey probate process can be relatively fast and cost-effective compared to other states it may still present a problem for executors or administrators of your estate. The estate planning lawyers at Matus Law Group may be able to create a plan that will allow your loved ones to bypass probate and receive their inheritance immediately after you pass away.
The risk of disputes is reduced
Most estate litigation stems from the absence of a valid will or any other estate plan. To reduce the likelihood of disputes over your assets following your death, it is a good idea to have an estate plan created by a trusted estate planning attorney familiar with New Jersey probate laws.
What are the Five Essential Estate Planning Documents in the State of New Jersey?
Planning your estate with an estate attorney who is experienced in handling trusts will allow you to protect and manage your funds now, while you are alive. Having a solid estate plan in place allows for your wishes to be considered and your legacy distributed according to those wishes after your death.
Although legacy planning will look a little different for everyone, depending on your needs and the size of your estate, there are a few important documents you should have in place no matter what your age, health, or wealth circumstances are. These are the five essential planning documents you should have:
A Will
As the basis of most estate planning, your will is a document that legally distributes financial holdings and real property according to your wishes. Without a will, state probate law will control these disbursements and may not be in alignment with your wishes. Your will name an executor who will manage and settle your estate and also appoint important people such as a legal guardian for your dependents. Your attorney will discuss your needs and ensure that your will protects your important interests.
A Durable Power of Attorney
A DPOA authorizes another person to act on your behalf if you become physically or mentally incapable.
A Healthcare Power of Attorney
A Healthcare Power of Attorney is a document that specifies an appointee who will be able to make important decisions about your healthcare if you are no longer able to do so.
A Living Will or Advanced Medical Directives
A living will allow you to specify wishes about your medical care under certain conditions and appoints a health care agent to make decisions for you should you not be able to do so for yourself.
A Revocable Living Trust
This document creates a separate entity, the trust, to own real estate and avoid probate. Probate can be a costly and lengthy process. Having a revocable living trust in place also offers privacy and prevents public knowledge about the terms of your estate.
Estate Attorneys at The Matus Law Group Explain the Difference Between a Will and a Revocable Living Trust
The main difference between these two documents is when they go into effect. A will sets out your wishes when you die. A revocable living trust goes into effect immediately and you are in full control of it until you die or become incapacitated. At that time, the person you have appointed as your trustee will step in to handle matters in the exact manner you have set out.
Get in touch:
Call now to make an appointment to discuss your legacy planning needs with top NJ estate attorney Christine Matus. We are here to answer any questions you may have about planning for your future. These include questions about estate tax, estate and gift rules, different types of power of attorney, and much more (732) 785-4453.
In the Case Where a Will and Revocable Living Trust Conflict, Which Takes Precedence?
In the case of a will and revocable living trust, they are both separate documents. Consequently, they can sometimes conflict with each other. That is why it is important to find attorneys who can assist you with the process.
A trust is a separate legal entity and probate will have no authority over it. Consequently, a revocable living trust will supersede a will. Experienced wills and estate lawyers at The Matus Law Group can advise you on how to secure your trusts and ensure the safety of your estate.
Call (732) 785-4453 to make an appointment.
What Happens to Assets That Are Not Put Into Trusts?
Upon death, funds, and real property that has not been placed in a revocable living trust are subject to the probate process. This means more fees, court time, and a longer timeline to administer your wishes. It also leaves your personal information open to public records. This is why you need experienced attorneys to help you plan your future.
When is an Estate Plan Necessary in New Jersey?
All individuals aged 18 or older should establish an estate plan, irrespective of their current health status or the risks associated with their lifestyle. Unforeseen accidents or sudden illnesses can occur at any moment, and having the appropriate documentation helps prevent loved ones from dealing with intestate probate or the challenges of obtaining guardianship/conservatorship powers to care for you. Furthermore, by providing clear instructions, you give your loved ones confidence in their decision-making and enhance the likelihood of your legacy unfolding as you envisioned.
Estate planning is especially advisable for those aged 65 or older, or those with a medical condition, chronic health issue, or an occupation or hobby known to have a high risk of medical incapacitation or mortality.
Although certain individuals may be more likely to need an estate plan, the reality is that none of us can foresee what might happen in the future. Estate plans offer a sense of reassurance that our desires will be acknowledged and serve as a valuable guide for our loved ones in the event of an unexpected and sudden tragedy.
Get in Touch With Our Law Office:
Attorney Christine Matus networks with some of the finest local real estate property appraisers in NJ. This rich network of contacts helps to ensure that you will get the best quality support when appealing taxes with the local county tax offices.
Call now to make an appointment to discuss your NJ real estate needs with top NJ real estate lawyer Christine Matus.
We are here to help. Contact us at (732) 785-4453 or complete our online form.
What are the Six Most Common Mistakes People Make When Planning Their Estate?
Professional estate planning can offer great peace of mind by ensuring that your loved ones and assets will be protected when you die. Unfortunately, procrastination, oversight, and legal missteps can affect and diminish your legacy and put added stress and burden on your surviving loved ones. With the help of an experienced estate attorney, you can plan your future better and protect your loved ones from this kind of stress.
These are some important mistakes to avoid when considering your financial future and those of your surviving family members:
Not having an estate plan in place
Procrastination plagues us all and, particularly when dealing with matters of our own death, we tend to put these discussions off. However, death is inevitable, and getting matters set out now ensures that your financial wishes and assets are legally attended to. Having the advice of a professional New Jersey wills and estates attorney will ensure that your estate and your assets are protected.
Having an outdated will
Life is about change. If your will was made years ago, chances are that it has not made allowance for many recent life changes. Having your will updated periodically is critical.
Not coordinating beneficiaries
If you have changed your will but not the beneficiaries on your estate, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and annuities, this can have expensive consequences. Because beneficiary documents are legally binding, they will take precedence over anything that is stated in your will. A professional estate attorney will ensure that all legal documents are coordinated in your estate.
Making your children joint owners of your assets
Putting children as joint owners on things like real estate not only adds to their financial burdens but also allows their creditors access to your assets.
Not putting plans for disability in place
If you have no plans for long-term or unexpected disability, there may be grave financial consequences.
Find an Experienced Planning Lawyer At The Matus Law Group Who May Be Able to Help
When you are looking for an experienced New Jersey estate attorney for the protection, planning, and estate administration of your assets, The Matus Law Group law firm is here to help.
The Matus Law Group and its team of wills and estates attorneys have been serving New Jersey with a full range of estate planning services, Medicaid planning, elder law advice, and special needs planning for over two decades. No matter the size of your estate, the lawyers at The Matus Law Group will take the time to understand your needs and find the best estate plan for you to ensure the protection and the financial legacy of your assets.
At The Matus Law Group, our New Jersey estate planning lawyers is ready to assist you with your NJ estate plan and all your estate planning needs so you can rest comfortably knowing your affairs are in order. No matter your situation, our attorneys and legal team offer the experience, expertise, and compassion to help you each step of the way.
Contact us for a free estate planning consultation and to learn how we can help protect your assets and your legacy (732) 785-4453.
