With several landmark cases set to go before the Supreme Court, the nation is poised for a change in the manner in which same-sex marriage is handled in every state. At the same time, debate on the matter continues to rage, and the battles surrounding the legitimacy...
Let Our Attorneys Provide The Legal Help Your Family Deserves
Ridgewood Estate Planning Blog
The role that basis plays in asset protection
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Jun 11, 2015 | Asset Protection
Prior to the passage of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, the primary focus of most estate planning was the avoidance of the estate tax, which could reach as high as 47 percent of the value of inherited assets. Now, however, only those New Jersey residents who...
Integrating beneficiaries into an estate planning approach
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Jun 4, 2015 | Estate Planning
Some New Jersey residents are unaware that simply having a will in place does not provide comprehensive estate planning coverage. Accounts that have designated beneficiaries fall outside the scope of a will, and the provisions laid out within those account documents...
How to discuss estate planning with the kids
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | Jun 4, 2015 | Estate Planning
Most New Jersey residents are aware of the need to create a comprehensive estate plan well in advance of actually needing those documents. That said, very few families take the time to sit down with their adult children and discuss the details of that plan, which can...
Spouse-centered estate planning tips
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | May 30, 2015 | Estate Planning
For many in New Jersey, the primary focus of their estate plans is to ensure that their families are taken care of in the event of their deaths. For married couples, the person best-suited to carry out one's wishes is usually the spouse. By centering estate planning...
Estate planning and beneficiaries: Potential outcomes
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | May 28, 2015 | Estate Planning
For many in New Jersey, the act of creating a comprehensive estate plan brings about a sense of relief in knowing that these matters have been addressed. With the right degree of effort, estate planning strategies can work wonders in ensuring that one's wishes are...
Basic steps to estate planning success
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | May 23, 2015 | Estate Planning
Most tasks that people find onerous can be made easier by taking a step-by-step approach. This is true for purchasing a house, adding to one's family or planning a vacation. It is also true for estate planning, and many in New Jersey find it helpful to break down the...
Asset protection planning and intrafamily loans
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | May 21, 2015 | Asset Protection
For those in New Jersey who have amassed a significant volume of wealth, a higher level of estate planning is often required. Once wealth has surpassed the estate tax exemption amount, currently $5.43 million per individual, more complex asset protection strategies...
Looking at the long term for wealth preservation
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | May 15, 2015 | Asset Protection
When an individual is able to attain a high level of financial success but does not come from generational wealth, a lack of knowledge concerning complex estate planning is sometimes an issue. Many New Jersey families who have amassed first generation wealth are...
Even a simple estate plan should address digital assets
On Behalf of The Manna Helmy Law Group | May 13, 2015 | Estate Planning
When many New Jersey residents consider their estate planning needs, they focus on traditional types of assets. We think about retirement savings, investments, cash and property. Few people take the time to consider how less tangible assets, such as those that exist...