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

Estate planning does not have to be depressing. In fact, many residents of New Jersey have used this as an excuse to have a little bit of good-natured fun. While most people approach their wills and trusts in a serious manner, others seem to do everything in their power to make their estate planning process  as ridiculous as possible . And as it turns out, the hilariousness of your will is limited only by your imagination. If you want to get creative with your will, the best thing to do is to hire a qualified,  experienced estate planning attorney in New Jersey . These legal experts have the knowledge and resources to help you do whatever you want with your estate plan, whether you want to take it seriously or do something a little more… interesting. Leave All Your Money to Your Pets   If you really want to confuse and disappoint your beneficiaries, you can leave the majority of your fortune to your favorite pet instead of a human being. Yes, pet  trusts are perfectl...

When couples divorce in New Jersey, many are concerned that they will no longer have control over major decisions that impact the lives of their children. One major decision today involves  COVID-19 vaccinations . People have strong opinions on this subject, and many former spouses in New Jersey do not agree on the correct course of action. Unfortunately, this may lead to one parent taking legal action against the other. Can one parent really have the final say on this matter? If you are dealing with this situation, it is probably best to get help from a legal professional. A family law attorney in New Jersey can explain your options in a clear, concise manner. They can also help you fight for the right to make important decisions about your child’s life, even if it means representing you in court. What Type of Custody Do You Have? The first question is whether or not you have primary legal custody. This situation is actually quite rare, but it means that you have complete freedom ...

  From a moral perspective, determining who has fathered certain children is important for society. But it is also important from a legal perspective. For parents in the Garden State, establishing  paternity  may be a priority for a number of reasons. Whether you are the father or the mother in this situation, you may feel like this is a daunting, complex legal process. Thankfully, there is always help available for those who need it. A qualified, experienced family law attorney in New Jersey can assist you as you approach the paternity process. Our legal professionals understand the various challenges and hurdles associated with this situation, and they can answer all of your questions. Ideally, you should team up with an attorney who specializes in paternity cases. Why Might You Want to Establish Paternity? There are a number of reasons you might want to establish paternity: Child Support:  In order to collect  child support from a father , you must first esta...

  When spouses first discover that they will be required to make child support payments, they may worry about what exactly these payments will cover. How many expenses will they need to pay for their child? What is covered, and what is not? Where is the line drawn, and when can you avoid paying for things that are clearly unnecessary and outside the scope of normal “care?” All of these questions and many others can be answered by a qualified,  experienced child support attorney in New Jersey . Choose a lawyer who is specifically experienced with matters relating to child support, and you will stand a much better chance of reaching a positive legal outcome. Truth be told,  many  things can potentially be covered by child support payments. In fact, it is easier to list what is  not  covered by these payments in New Jersey: Fancy Meals at Restaurants Every Day Food costs are considered an important part of a non-custodial parent’s child support obligations. Th...

  Although the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed many weak spots in our society, one of the most worrying is the vulnerability of long-term care facilities across the United States. New Jersey is no exception to this rule, and many frail and vulnerable people suffered greatly during this crisis. Issues have become quite clear, but what is the government doing to address this problem? While steps are being taken to tackle the problem, some are wondering if it is too little, too late. Perhaps you are currently living in an assisted living home, a retirement home, a long-term care facility, or another similar facility. If you are a  senior citizen in New Jersey , you are entitled to a number of inalienable rights. This past crisis has highlighted the fact that the government and private organizations are fully capable of violating these rights when they see fit. In order to hold these negligent parties accountable, it makes sense to hire a lawyer who is  familiar with elder law ...

Taking a child under your wing is one of the most rewarding things you can do, especially if that child has lost their parents or has been suffering in an unsafe environment. In New Jersey,  there are a number of different ways in which you can welcome a child into your family . One is adoption, and the other is guardianship. So what is the difference between these two legal concepts? Which one should you choose? Are there certain benefits for either route? All of these questions and many others can be answered by a qualified, experienced family law attorney in New Jersey. If you are approaching the process of guardianship or  adoption , it makes sense to consult with one of these legal experts. Not only can a lawyer help you choose the best option, but they can also guide you through the process in an efficient manner. The Two Options Available to You Kinship Legal Guardianship:  Popular among grandparents and relatives, this allows you to get children out of foster care...

A lawsuit filing on March 15, 2021, against the Tennessee-based Brookdale Senior Living, Inc ( Brookdale ) by a coalition of California District and City Attorneys and prior California Attorney General Xavier Becerra sent a shockwave through the senior living industry. The lawsuit alleges ten locations of current and former California Brookdale facilities gave false data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ( CMS )to garner higher “ star ratings ” that CMS provides to help consumers choose a quality nursing facility. Fraudulently increasing a facility’s star rating in several categories can attract more prospective patients and their families. The lawsuit also alleges these facilities did not follow legal discharge procedures that protect patient safety. Attorney  General Becerra  stated , “We are holding Brookdale accountable for artificially increasing its profits by cutting corners when transferring or discharging its patients. It lured individuals to its facilities t...

  When parents divorce, children often suffer. That being said, there is no reason why separations cannot be handled in a professional, considerate manner. It is always important to put the child’s best interests first when handling a divorce, and judges in New Jersey are wholeheartedly committed to doing just that. Unfortunately, some spouses may take it upon themselves to manipulate and influence their own children, turning them against their parents and creating a rift in the family. In the legal world, this is known as “parental alienation,” and it is a serious issue. If you believe that your former spouse is engaging in this behavior, you should seek help from a  qualified family law attorney  as soon as possible. A legal expert can help you hold your former spouse accountable for their behavior. If you let this go unchecked, it could have a serious impact on the strength of your relationship with your child. Fortunately, you have the option to take legal action. Wha...

  During the divorce process, many parents find themselves classified as the “non-custodial parent.” This means that they do not have primary custody of their child. In some cases, parents may mutually agree that this is the best situation. In other cases, the judge may decide that such an arrangement is in the best interests in the child. You may feel unhappy about how things have panned out because you wanted primary custody of your child. Whatever the case may be, it is important to understand your rights as a non-custodial parent. If you believe that your rights are being violated, it is crucial to reach out to a qualified,  experienced family law attorney  as soon as possible. Numerous studies have shown that it is important for  both  parents to play an active role in a child’s life. If you think you are not being given a fair chance to be part of your child’s life, it is time to take legal action. With a skilled lawyer by your side, you can fight for your...

  More than 90% of people in western cultures will marry before they turn 50 years old and, on average, roughly 40–50% of all marriages in the United States will end in a divorce, according to the   American Psychological Association . With such a high rate of divorce, it’s important to keep in mind that a successful marriage is not guaranteed, and as such, getting married can be considered a risk. Financially speaking, one of the biggest risked assets during a divorce is the family home. Many divorces result in neither party keeping the home and instead selling it to promote a quicker and easier split of marital assets. Due to the significant risks that divorce poses, combined with the high rate of divorce, many people are finding it more necessary to create  prenuptial agreements  shortly after the engagement. From the attorney’s fees, to surrendered assets, to the  mental toll that divorce can have  on someone, and not to mention alimony and child suppor...