Elder Law, Family Law, and Estate Planning in Hackensack, New Jersey

Estate planning is an important undertaking at virtually any stage of your life, but it is not always a straightforward process. While you might have a clear idea of your beneficiaries and how to handle your estate, the legal world can often prove to be somewhat of an obstacle. Legal terms may be confusing, and it is not always clear how to take the right step forward. Perhaps you are not quite sure about the difference between a  will and a trust. In order to clear up issues like this, it is always a good idea to consult with a qualified legal expert. Not only can they explain the difference between a will and a trust in clear, concise terms, but they can also help you decide which option is best for you. With that said, there are a few basic things you can learn about wills and trusts in order to get a better sense of how to proceed. What is a Living Trust? A  living trust  gives you control over the estate planning and inheritance process while you are still alive. Wit...

Children with special needs, or who developed special needs or disabilities after birth due to an accident or injury, typically need someone to handle their financial affairs. If this is your circumstance, you have specific considerations when it comes to your estate planning needs. Parents of  special needs  children need to ensure that their children will be taken care of properly. A  Special Needs Trust  (SNT) provides parents this comfort. As with any type of estate planning documents, there are some advantages and disadvantages to an SNT.   Advantages SNTs are usually created for children who are unable to live independently for the rest of their life or handle their own finances. There are several advantages to this type of trust including: Children will remain eligible for financial assistance from SSI or Medicaid, and the SNT helps fund any care that is required above and beyond what is provided through these government services. Funds from an SNT are us...

A special needs trust is an important legal item that parents of special needs children should look into with the help of a family law attorney in New Jersey. At the same time, if you have an adult child or an elderly parent who has special needs, you should also look into the benefits of this type of trust. A special needs trust can help provide for your loved one without removing his or her eligibility for government benefits. How? The trust owns the assets, not the person for whom it was created. This means that the beneficiary of the trust is still eligible for Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).                                                                            Provide Assets for a Family Member Upon Your Death One of the most important reasons why you should cr...

Parental alienation cases can be particularly difficult. Emotionally, they will challenge you in ways you never thought were possible. No one wins in parental alienation cases because the child will always strive to love and understand both parents. This is the second post in a continuing series about parental alienation. The first post explored parental alienation generally and how it manifests itself in the abusing parent. This post will focus on how to recognize the early warning signs that parental alienation is present in your relationship with your child. Check back next week to explore what your legal options are if you find that parental alienation is interfering with your relationship with your child.                                                                 How to Recognize Early Warning Signs T...