Ridgewood Estate Planning Blog

How can I benefit from a trust in my estate plans?

On behalf of Michael A. Manna & Associates on Monday, January 20, 2020.

If you are in the process of creating or updating your estate plans, you may want to think about incorporating a trust to help protect your legacy. Trusts are not for everyone. Many people who have basic assets and wealth do not necessarily need to have trusts. However, if your estate involves more complex considerations and assets, a trust could be necessary to ensure that you retain control over what happens to your assets after your death.

When structured properly and with the right trustee selection, a trust can give you greater flexibility than a will over your assets. To avoid potential issues that could render your last wishes less effective or nullify them completely, consider the following information about estate plan trusts:

How to include digital assets in an estate plan

On behalf of Michael A. Manna & Associates on Monday, November 25, 2019.

When most people think of an estate plan, they think of physical belongings, such as property and cash. However, in today's world, people now need to determine what to do with digital assets, such as social media accounts and projects that exist solely on a hard drive.

When it comes time to create an estate plan, you know to talk about your house and other possessions with a legal authority. You should never ignore your computer, and there are steps you can take to protect such assets.

Paying for your parent's long-term care

On behalf of Michael A. Manna & Associates on Monday, September 30, 2019.

When your aging parent loses physical and/or mental functions, you may worry about what to do. One option is to become a full-time caregiver for your mom or dad. While this may save you some money, it may not be good for your parent or your health. You may look at nursing homes instead but not believe it possible to find an affordable facility.

What makes it harder is when your parents are just above the limit to qualify for Medicaid. On paper, it may look like they can support themselves, but you know that they would struggle to pay for long-term care in addition to all their regular expenses.

What courts look at regarding dueling wills

On behalf of Michael A. Manna & Associates on Tuesday, August 6, 2019.

A will is an important aspect of an estate plan. It allows the estate holder to designate his or her estate as desired.

Sometimes, parties may update their will. If the previous will is not properly discarded, or if the new will is not presented to all involved parties, a dueling will situation may occur. There are a few key things the court considers in determining the best way to move forward with the estate.

Should your parent change a will after remarrying?

On behalf of Michael A. Manna & Associates on Tuesday, June 11, 2019.

Your father is nearing retirement and wants to ensure he has enough invested to last him through the rest of his life. Your mother passed away years ago, and your father has not shown an interest in entering a new relationship – until now.

A stepmother is a new experience and along with her comes a slew of step-siblings and grandchildren. Your father and mother worked hard to build up their nest egg, but now with this new relationship, is all of that in trouble? It is a good idea to go back and revisit your father's estate plan after the remarriage.

How long does it take heirs to receive inheritances?

On behalf of Michael A. Manna & Associates on Monday, April 15, 2019.

When developing an estate plan, it is paramount to understand your state's laws to avoid as many fees and taxes as possible. New Jersey is one of the only states to have inheritance taxes, but spouses, siblings and children are typically exempt.

When making your estate plan, you want your loved ones to have assets and money to have easier lives after you pass away. You need to take the right steps to ensure your loved ones receive their inheritances in a timely manner, so they do not go through lengthy legal processes. Consider these items if you want your heirs to receive their inheritances as quickly as possible.

Will the inheritance tax laws in New Jersey affect you?

On behalf of Michael A. Manna & Associates on Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

There are a few states that collect inheritance taxes after someone dies, and New Jersey is among them.

If you are an heir to a deceased New Jersey resident, will you have to pay an inheritance tax on the assets you receive? Not necessarily.

3 important discussions to have with an aging parent

On behalf of Michael A. Manna & Associates on Monday, December 24, 2018.

When you were a child, you relied on your parents for virtually everything. As your mother or father reaches the final stages of life, though, you may need to become the caregiver. While it can be challenging to watch a parent age, you can likely ease the transition.

As you probably know, planning is an effective way to minimize many of the consequences of aging. After all, with a comprehensive strategy, you help your parents remove much of the uncertainty that often accompanies aging. Here are three important discussions you should have with your aging mother or father.

Does being on Medicaid limit nursing home choices?

On behalf of Michael A. Manna & Associates on Tuesday, October 30, 2018.

Part of estate planning for your parents is finding out where they will stay for the remainder of their days. They could stay in their own home and receive care, they could move to an assisted living facility or they could go to a nursing home.

Of course, all these options cost money. Your parents may qualify for financial assistance from the government in the form of Medicaid. However, you may worry that being on this program will limit their facility choices. They cannot afford a luxurious place, but with so much elder abuse happening, neither do you want for them to be in a questionable nursing home. What should you do?

How to start talking about estate planning with your parents

On behalf of Michael A. Manna & Associates on Tuesday, September 4, 2018.

Estate planning involves creating a comprehensive plan that encompasses end-of-life financial and health care directives as well as tools for asset distribution and management after death. As an adult child of elderly parents, facing the reality of your parents' eventual death can be difficult and painful.

No one necessarily wants to talk about issues that involve death, and yet, avoiding the topic can lead to big trouble for you as a family member after your parents pass away. Lack of proper estate planning can lead to many unnecessary and costly expenses as well as bureaucratic and legal hassles and conflicts. The best way to avoid this confusion and difficulty is to start the estate planning conversation well before your parents age to the point of incapacitation or death.