Wall, NJ Will Attorneys

The Importance of Having Documents When Creating Wills

When creating an estate plan, there are essential documents that must be prepared to ensure your wishes are executed properly. Our legal team can help you prepare these important documents and craft a thorough estate plan.

Last Will & Testament

If you have young children, the most important provision is the selection of a guardian who would raise the children if both parents died. For business owners with adult children, the challenge is to allocate the business and other assets so that the parents' deaths do not trigger a bitter fight. Even people of modest means need wills to make sure their assets go where they want.

If you die without a will, there is no money available for your favorite charity or someone you are involved with in a long-term but non-marital relationship. State law might divide your money equally among a surviving spouse and children, even though many people would rather it all go to the spouse or to the children.

Ready to get started on your will? Call (732) 402-0088 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled Wall, NJ will lawyers at Cerbone Law Firm.

You may choose to direct money to others in trust, rather than outright. Trusts can reduce taxes on large estates. Monies can be parceled out to children who would otherwise receive and possibly foolishly spend a large sum at the age of 18.

Selecting a Power of Attorney

Who would tend to your banking and financial affairs if a serious illness or crisis left you unable? Your family could go to court to get a guardian appointed, which could possibly incur significant legal fees. In advance, you should authorize a spouse or other trusted individual to make financial decisions for you.

The Power of Attorney document that names an agent is a simple and handy document, but also a potent one. You have to grant this power to someone trustworthy. You can revoke a power of attorney by tearing it up. Some people tell the selected agent about the power of attorney, but then leave the document with the lawyer who prepared it.

Healthcare Power of Attorney

A healthcare power of attorney authorizes someone to make medical decisions for you if you are temporarily or permanently unable. It is usually coupled with a living will, wherein you indicate the type of care you want if you were terminally ill or permanently unconscious. A living will is not just for people who want to avoid being sustained indefinitely on mechanical life support systems.

It is specifically designed to explain personal wishes, which may be that you want extraordinary medical procedures as long as you are alive. These documents minimize family squabbles and ease the terrible burden on loved ones at life's end.

Inventory

The last step is a personal financial inventory that lists the professional advisers, insurance policies, and banking and investment accounts that your survivors might otherwise have to scramble to find in the event of your death or other crisis.

Among the items to record:

• Names and phone numbers of your attorney
• Your accountant
• And other chief advisers

As well as the location of important documents such as will, powers, and property deeds; a listing, with account numbers and document location, for all insurance policies, bank accounts, investment accounts, credit card accounts and loans; and the location of safe-deposit boxes and the box keys.

Schedule a free consultation with an experienced Wall, NJ wills attorney by calling (732) 402-0088 or by filling out our online contact form.