Cinnaminson Will Lawyer

Growing older, having children, acquiring assets—all these things might make you consider your future plans. But regardless of your reason for creating an estate plan, your number one concern is probably, “Where do I start?”

Creating a will for your estate is the most essential thing you can do to protect yourself and the people for whom you care. But the act of creating a will is easier said than done, and an incorrectly executed one could be worse than not having one.

At The Simone Law Firm, our Cinnaminson will lawyers can help you draft an airtight estate plan that protects your legacy.

I’m Ready To Start My Estate Plan. What Type of Will Do I Need?

Three types of wills might meet your estate planning needs.

Simple Will

A simple will is the most common form of will. With it, you can designate beneficiaries for your assets, guardians for minor children, and an executor to carry out your wishes after you pass away.

Living Will

A living will—also called an advance health care directive—is a will specifically for detailing your wishes for medical treatment when you can no longer make these decisions yourself. You can also make decisions about pain management and organ donation using a living will.

Joint Will

A joint will merges two or more people’s wills into a single legal document. In most cases, these types of wills are used by couples to ensure that the other spouse inherits everything upon their death. However, once set in place, a joint will cannot be altered, which can be problematic.

Choosing a will that fits your life can be overwhelming. The Cinnaminson estate planning attorneys at our law firm can simplify things for you by discussing your options.

New Jersey Legal Requirements for Will Drafting

Regardless of the will you choose, in Cinnaminson, NJ, a valid will must meet the following requirements:

• The testator (the person creating the will) must be 18 or older
• The testator must be legally competent when creating the will
• The will can be handwritten or typed:
  – The testator and two witnesses must sign typed wills or attorney-prepared wills
  – Handwritten wills do not require a signature as long as someone can recognize the testator’s handwriting

New Jersey does not require wills to be notarized, but it may benefit your estate. A notarized will won’t require additional authentication by the surrogate, potentially speeding up the probate process.

This is a crucial example of why hiring an estate planning attorney is beneficial. At The Simone Law Firm, we will help you prepare your Last Will and Testament, ensuring that it meets the state’s legal requirements.

Wills and Estate Administration

A will alone does not eliminate the probate process. Any assets that are not jointly owned or held in a trust will be probated. Probate is a legal process overseen by a county Surrogate’s Office in which your assets are compiled, managed, and distributed to your beneficiaries.

Although probate is not inherently bad, it can be costly, slow-moving, and prolong the transfer of assets to rightful beneficiaries.

Our probate attorneys can help you avoid family law issues and keep your estate out of probate by creating a solid estate plan on your behalf.

What Other Estate Planning Documents Might I Need?

Creating a will is just the tip of the iceberg for estate planning. Other legal documents could help your family save time, money, and energy when settling your estate.

Here are some other important documents an estate planning lawyer can help you draft:

• Power of attorney—A legal document appointing a personal representative to act on your behalf in the event of disability.
• Trusts—Like a will, a trust directs the distribution of your assets after you pass away. It is a fiduciary arrangement in which a trustee holds and manages assets on behalf of your designated beneficiaries. It can be an essential tool to avoid probate and estate taxes.

Our Cinnaminson estate lawyers can help you draft a plan that meets your needs.

What Happens if I Die Without a Will in New Jersey?

If you die without a will in New Jersey, your assets will be distributed according to New Jersey’s intestate succession laws. Depending on your family dynamic, your assets can be split between your children, spouse, parents, and extended family members.

To keep your assets from getting into the wrong hands, we recommend starting your estate plan immediately. Our estate planning lawyers in Cinnaminson, NJ, offer a consultation to discuss your goals.

How Our Cinnaminson Will Attorneys Help You

If you’re looking to create an estate plan in Cinnaminson, NJ, chances are you know just how much information is on the internet. There is plenty of advice, conflicting answers, and do-it-yourself tools at your disposal to get your estate plan started.

But when it comes to something as sensitive as your end-of-life wishes, you need the personal touch of an estate lawyer. We can ensure that your wishes are accounted for and that everything is drafted legally.

We’ll help you by:

• Listening to your needs and goals
• Drafting legal estate documents like a will and power of attorney
• Creating a trust
• Setting up guardianship/conservatorship
• Helping you select an executor
• Working to minimize estate taxes and avoid probate

Our team serving Cinnaminson, NJ is also prepared to support your family after the fact by assisting with the estate administration process.

The Simone Law Firm: Dependable Estate Planning When You Need it Most

At The Simone Law Firm, our experienced estate lawyers have been helping people reach their estate planning goals for more than 20 years. We separate ourselves from other law firms by providing affordable, attentive service and skilled advocacy when you need it most. Contact us today.