Blog & Resources

Our “Ask a Question” mailbag addresses what happens when a sibling dies without a Will in New Jersey.

“My sister died in New Jersey without a will. Our parents are dead, and she never married or had children. Our dad had a daughter out of wedlock when he was very young. It was something that the family didn’t speak of, and we only saw her once in our lives. If a sibling dies without a Will in New Jersey, does a half-sibling receive a share?”

Our “Ask a Question” mailbag addresses the question, how much life insurance should I have?

“I recently had a baby, and it is time to buy some life insurance. But, I feel like I am being sold rather than advised. How much life insurance should I have? Lastly, is there a general rule about how much life insurance I should have as part of my estate plan?”

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: “After being diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s, I have been thinking about forming a Revocable Trust. Who pays the income tax on a Revocable Trust?”

A Revocable Living Trust can be a reliable tool in helping you manage your assets while suffering from Alzheimer’s. But, you should plan carefully and implement checks and balances.

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: “I have a contract to purchase my neighbor’s land. Before I could complete the process, he died. Now the family refuses to open the estate and sign the deed over to me. Is there a method for enforcing a land contract against a deceased owner?

New Jersey Democrats and Republicans arrived at a deal this last week. Though not everyone is happy, making deals is what gets legislation done and an increase is such deals would be appreciated.

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: Can I leave my watch collection to my son in Trust? “Over the years I have put together an extensive watch collection. My wife and I recently had a son, and I wish to leave him the collection. Can I leave him the collection in Trust? Can a Trust protect an inheritance?”

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: “Can I form a Special Needs Trust during my lifetime? I would like to put some money aside for my Special Needs son now. But I don’t want to disqualify him from his Medicaid.”

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: “At my son’s death, can I decide who receives any remaining money in the Special Needs Trust? I want to set up a Special Needs Trust for my son in my Will. But, when he dies, can my daughter receive what money remains?”

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: “My mother died in Montgomery County, PA, and set up a trust for me in her will. The Trust pays out now that I am 40. I recently found out the trustee failed to pay the Trust’s income taxes for ten years. How do I prove that he committed a breach of fiduciary duty? Can I make him pay the interest and penalty?”

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: The Directed Trustee maybe the answer to your problem!

“I am considering setting up an Irrevocable Trust to hold assets for my children. But, I want my current wealth manager investing the trust property. Unfortunately, if I pick a corporate trustee, they will use their money manager. How do I force the corporate trustee to use my financial advisor?”