Kenneth Vercammen, Esq is Chair of the ABA Elder Law Committee and presents seminars to attorneys and the public on Wills, Probate and other legal topics related to Estate Planning and Elder law. He is author of the ABA's book "Wills and Estate Administration. Kenneth Vercammen & Associates,
2053 Woodbridge Avenue - Edison, NJ 08817
(732) 572-0500 More information at www.njlaws.com/

Saturday, January 16, 2010

East Brunswick WILLS, PROBATE AND ELDER LAW- Adult and Community Education WHEN: Monday March 8, 2010 7 - 8:30 P.M.

WILLS, PROBATE AND ELDER LAW- Adult and Community Education
WHEN: Monday March 8, 2010 7 - 8:30 P.M.

East Brunswick Adult & Community Education Program
East Brunswick High School, 380 Cranbury Rd
Fee: $29
For additional information, call the East Brunswick Adult Education Office for registration information 732- 613-6989

Instructor: Kenneth Vercammen, Esq. of Edison
(Co-Author- NJ Elder Law & Probate)
COMPLIMENTARY MATERIAL: Brochures on Wills, “Probate and Administration of an Estate”, Power of Attorney, Living Wills, Real Estate Sales for Seniors, and Trusts.

You don’t have to be wealthy or near death to do some thinking about a will. Here is your opportunity to listen to an experienced attorney who will discuss how to distribute your property as you wish and avoid many rigid provisions of the state law. Topics covered by author of “Answer to questions about Probate” will include: Wills, revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, power of attorney, living will, long term care insurance, reverse mortgage, plus the opportunity to ask questions.
Here is your opportunity to listen to an experienced attorney who will answer questions how to distribute your property and avoid many rigid provisions of state law. For more information on Elder law, visit the Website www.CentralJerseyElderLaw.com. You can also subscribe to the free email Elder Law newsletter by visiting the website, or sending an email to Kenv@njlaws.com.
For additional information, call the East Brunswick Adult Education Office for registration information 732- 613-6989
KENNETH VERCAMMEN & ASSOCIATES, PC
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
(Phone) 732-572-0500
(Fax) 732-572-0030
website: www.njlaws.com

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Wills and Estate Planning for Physical Therapists

Wills and Estate Planning for Physical Therapists

By Kenneth Vercammen, Esq.

Where there’s No Will …

If you do not write a Will, the State has already written one for you. Your assets go to whoever a state law says receives the assets, or to the government itself! A Will should be a statement to the things you truly care about: your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends, your Church and charities.

It is important to do secession planning. Also, if you have partners in your business, a signed partnership agreement is valuable. Make sure you also have a Power of Attorney signed to plan for temporary disability. If your business is the primary support of family, how will your business continue to operate? How can your business be sold? It’s time for a call to action.

If You Have No Will:

If you leave no Will or your Will is declared invalid because it was improperly prepared or is not admissible to probate:

1. People you dislike or people who dislike and ignore you may get your assets.
2. State law determines who gets assets, not you
3. Additional expenses will be incurred and extra work will be required to qualify an administrator-Surety Bond, additional costs and legal fees
4. You lose the opportunity to try to reduce Estate Tax, State inheritance taxes and Federal estate taxes
5. A Judge determines who gets custody of children. A greedy brother or crazy mother in law could ask the court for custody.
6. If you have no spouse or close relatives the State may take your property
7. The procedure to distribute assets becomes more complicated
8. It probably will cause fights and lawsuits within your family
9. If no partnership agreement or procedure to transfer patient files your business good will could be lost.

When loved ones are grieving and dealing with death, they shouldn’t be overwhelmed with Financial concerns.

Think- Who don’t you want to receive your assets? Without a Will, they could receive your assets and request custody of children.

Who is not the best choice to raise your children, or safeguard your children's money for college? Do you want children, or grandchildren, to get money when they turn 18? Will they invest money wisely, or go to Seaside and play games?

Business assets

It is important to prepare a Will which sets forth distribution of a valuable property such as the good will of your business, the phone number of your business and equipment you own.
A Will must not only be prepared within the legal requirements of the state Statutes but should also be prepared so it leaves no questions regarding your intentions.

THE FOLLOWING IS A SAMPLE OF A VARIETY OF CLAUSES AND ITEMS WHICH KENNETH VERCAMMEN’S LAW OFFICE OFTEN INCLUDES IN A WILL

1ST: DEBTS AND TAXES
2ND: SPECIFIC BEQUESTS
3RD: DISPOSITION TO SPOUSE
4TH: DISPOSITION OF REMAINDER OF ESTATE
5TH: CREATION OF TRUSTS FOR SPOUSE
6TH: CREATION OF TRUST FOR CHILDREN
7TH: OTHER BENEFICIARIES UNDER 21
8TH: EXECUTORS
9TH: TRUSTEES
10TH: GUARDIANS
11TH: SURETY OR BOND
12TH: POWERS
13TH: AFTERBORN CHILDREN
14TH: PRINCIPAL AND INCOME
15TH: NO ASSIGNMENT OF BEQUESTS
16TH: GENDER
17TH: CONSTRUCTION OF WILL
18TH: NO CONTEST CLAUSE

WHY PERIODIC REVIEW IS ESSENTIAL

Even if you have an existing Will, there are many events that occur which may necessitate changes in your Will. Some of these are:

* Marriage, death, birth, divorce or separation affecting either you or anyone named in your Will

* Significant changes in the value of your total assets or in any particular assets which you own

* A change in your domicile

* Death or incapacity of a beneficiary, or death, incapacity or change in residence of a named executor, trustee or guardian of infants, or of one of the witnesses to the execution of the Will

* Annual changes in tax law

* Changes in who you like

MAY I CHANGE MY CURRENT WILL?

Yes. A Will may be modified, added to, or entirely changed at any time before your death provided you are mentally and physically competent and desire to change your Will. You should consider revising your Will whenever there are changes in the size of your estate. For example, when your children are young, you may think it best to have a trust for them so they do not come into absolute ownership of property until they are mature. Beware, if you draw lines through items, erase or write over, or add notations to the original Will, it can be destroyed as a legal document. Either a new Will should be legally prepared or a codicil signed to legally change portions of the Will.

A portion of your Will and Estate Planning can be deducted on your income tax return when it deals with tax planning. Thus, part of the fee is tax deductible for income tax purposes.
Under the law in New Jersey, if a person dies without a Will and without children, their spouse will inherit all assets, even if they are separated from the spouse. In addition, if you have children from a previous marriage, but no Will, your separated spouse will get half your estate. Therefore, you may wish to do the following:

1) Have an Elder Law attorney prepare a Will to distribute your assets to the people you care the most about. If you already have a Will, prepare a new Will and have the old Will revoked. ( Your estate planning attorney will explain this to you.)
2) Prepare a Power of Attorney to select someone to handle your finances if you become disabled. Have your old power of attorney revoked.
3) Prepare a Living Will prepared
4) Change your beneficiary on assets you may own, such as stocks, bank accounts, IRA, and other financial assets. Change your beneficiary under your own life insurance, whether whole life insurance or term insurance.
5) Contact your human resources person and change the beneficiary on life insurance, pension, stock options or other employee benefits. Note that your spouse must sign a written waiver permitting you to change beneficiaries.
6) Keep your personal papers at a location where family can find them.
7) Have your attorney prepare a prenuptial agreement if you decide to get re-married.
8) Make sure the trustee for any funds designated for your children is the "right" trustee.
9) In New Jersey, if you are married and living with your spouse, under certain instances the surviving spouse has a right to "elect against the Will" The disinherited spouse may like to elect against the Will and try to obtain one third of the estate. Your attorney can explain how you can protect yourself and your children.
10) If you have minor children, nominate someone under a Will to serve as guardian to the children. Although the surviving parent obviously has first right of custody of children, they may not even want custody.

SAVE MONEY- Have your attorney prepare a self- proving Will with a No bond clause

Your estate will be subject to probate whether or not you have a Will and in most cases, a Will reduces the cost by eliminating the requirements of a bond. With a well-drawn Will, you may also reduce death taxes and other expenses. Don’t pinch pennies now to the detriment of your beneficiaries

The proper preparation of a Will should involve a careful analysis of the your assets, family and desires.
Estate Planning is the process of examining what will happen to your property when you die and arranging for its distribution in such a manner as will accomplish your objectives.
The cost of a Will depends on the size and the complexity of the estate and the plans of the person who makes the Will.

Be sure your Will takes into account the 2009 Federal Tax changes and any Inheritance Tax changes. Also, ascertain if your Will is “self-proving”, which would dispense with having to find the Will’s witnesses after death.


OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE PREPARED BY YOUR ATTORNEY
-Power of Attorney- to allow a trusted person to administer your assets during your lifetime, either upon disability or now
-Living Wills- to state your wishes concerning medical care in the event of your serious illness
-Trusts (and Medicaid Trusts)

CONCLUSION

Planning can only be done if someone is competent and/or alive. Make sure your assets can be passed directly to your loved ones. Kenneth A. Vercammen is a Middlesex County trial attorney who has published 125 articles in national and New Jersey publications on litigation topics. He has been selected to lecture to trial lawyers by the American Bar Association, New Jersey State Bar Association and Middlesex County Bar Association.
Call our office to schedule a confidential appointment 732-572-0500

KENNETH VERCAMMEN & ASSOCIATES, PC
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
(Phone) 732-572-0500
(Fax) 732-572-0030
website: www.njlaws.com

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Wills and Estate Planning for Dermatologists

Where there’s No Will

If you do not write a Will, the State has already written one for you. Your assets go to whoever a state law says receives the assets, or to the government itself! A Will should be a statement to the things you truly care about: your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends, your Church and charities.

If You Have No Will:

If you leave no Will or your Will is declared invalid because it was improperly prepared or is not admissible to probate:

1. People you dislike or people who dislike and ignore you may get your assets.
2. State law determines who gets assets, not you
3. Additional expenses will be incurred and extra work will be required to qualify an administrator-Surety Bond, additional costs and legal fees
4. You Lose the opportunity to try to reduce NJ Estate Tax, State inheritance taxes and Federal estate taxes
5. A Judge determines who gets custody of children. A greedy brother or crazy mother in law could ask the court for custody.
6. If you have no spouse or close relatives the State may take your property
7. The procedure to distribute assets becomes more complicated
8. It probably will cause fights and lawsuits within your family
9. If no partnership agreement or procedure to transfer patient files your medical practice “good will” could be lost.

When loved ones are grieving and dealing with death, they shouldn’t be overwhelmed with Financial concerns.

Think- Who don’t you want to receive your assets? Without a Will, they could receive your assets and request custody of children.

Who is not the best choice to raise your children, or safeguard your children's money for college? Do you want children, or grandchildren, to get money when they turn 18? Will they invest money wisely, or go to Seaside and play games? It is important to set forth distribution of a valuable property such as the “good will” of your medical practice, the phone number of a business and medical equipment you own.

A Will must not only be prepared within the legal requirements of the New Jersey Statutes but should also be prepared so it leaves no questions regarding your intentions.

WHY PERIODIC REVIEW IS ESSENTIAL

Even if you have an existing Will, there are many events that occur which may necessitate changes in your Will. Some of these are:

* Marriage, death, birth, divorce or separation affecting either you or anyone named in your Will

* Significant changes in the value of your total assets or in any particular assets which you own

* A change in your domicile

* Death or incapacity of a beneficiary, or death, incapacity or change in residence of a named executor, trustee or guardian of infants, or of one of the witnesses to the execution of the Will

* Annual changes in tax law

* Changes in who you like

MAY I CHANGE MY CURRENT WILL?

Yes. A Will may be modified, added to, or entirely changed at any time before your death provided you are mentally and physically competent and desire to change your Will. You should consider revising your Will whenever there are changes in the size of your estate. For example, when your children are young, you may think it best to have a trust for them so they do not come into absolute ownership of property until they are mature. Beware, if you draw lines through items, erase or write over, or add notations to the original Will, it can be destroyed as a legal document. Either a new Will should be legally prepared or a codicil signed to legally change portions of the Will.

A portion of your Will and Estate Planning can be deducted on your income tax return when it deals with tax planning. Thus, part of the fee is tax deductible for income tax purposes.

THE FOLLOWING IS A SAMPLE OF A VARIETY OF CLAUSES AND ITEMS WHICH KENNETH VERCAMMEN’S LAW OFFICE OFTEN INCLUDES IN A WILL

1ST: DEBTS AND TAXES
2ND: SPECIFIC BEQUESTS
3RD: DISPOSITION TO SPOUSE
4TH: DISPOSITION OF REMAINDER OF ESTATE
5TH: CREATION OF TRUSTS FOR SPOUSE
6TH: CREATION OF TRUST FOR CHILDREN
7TH: OTHER BENEFICIARIES UNDER 21
8TH: EXECUTORS
9TH: TRUSTEES
10TH: GUARDIANS
11TH: SURETY OR BOND
12TH: POWERS
13TH: AFTERBORN CHILDREN
14TH: PRINCIPAL AND INCOME
15TH: NO ASSIGNMENT OF BEQUESTS
16TH: GENDER
17TH: CONSTRUCTION OF WILL
18TH: NO CONTEST CLAUSE

Under the law in New Jersey, if a person dies without a Will and without children, their spouse will inherit all assets, even if they are separated from the spouse. In addition, if you have children from a previous marriage, but no Will, your separated spouse will get half your estate. In planning, make sure your assets go to your loved ones or favorite charity. Therefore, you may wish to do the following:

1) Have an Elder Law attorney prepare a Will to distribute your assets to the people you care the most about. Also set forth provisions regarding receiving
the assets of your medical practice. If you already have a Will, prepare a new Will and have the old Will revoked. ( Your estate planning attorney will explain this to you.)
2) Prepare a Power of Attorney to select someone to handle your finances if you become disabled. Have your old power of attorney revoked.
3) Prepare a Living Will prepared
4) Change your beneficiary on assets you may own, such as stocks, bank accounts, IRA, and other financial assets. Change your beneficiary under your own life insurance, whether whole life insurance or term insurance.
5) Contact your employer's human resources and change the beneficiary on life insurance, pension, stock options or other employee benefits. Note that your spouse must sign a written waiver permitting you to change beneficiaries.
6) Keep your personal papers at a location where family can find them.
7) Have your attorney prepare a prenuptial agreement if you decide to get married.
8) Make sure the trustee for any funds designated for your children is the "right" trustee.
9) In New Jersey, if you are married and living with your spouse, under certain instances the surviving spouse has a right to "elect against the Will" The disinherited spouse may like to elect against the Will and try to obtain one third of the estate. Your attorney can explain how you can protect yourself and your children.
10) If you have minor children, nominate someone under a Will to serve as guardian to the children. Although the surviving parent obviously has first right of custody of children, they may not even want custody.

SAVE MONEY- Have your attorney prepare a self- proving Will with a No bond clause

Your estate will be subject to probate whether or not you have a Will and in most cases, a Will reduces the cost by eliminating the requirements of a bond. With a well-drawn Will, you may also reduce death taxes and other expenses. Don’t pinch pennies now to the detriment of your beneficiaries

The proper preparation of a Will should involve a careful analysis of the your assets, family and desires. Estate Planning is the process of examining what will happen to your property when you die and arranging for its distribution in such a manner as will accomplish your objectives.
The cost of a Will depends on the size and the complexity of the estate and the plans of the person who makes the Will.

Be sure your Will takes into account the 2009 Federal Tax changes and all New Jersey Inheritance Tax changes. Also, ascertain if your Will is “self-proving”, which would dispense with having to find the Will’s witnesses after death.

Everyone who has any assets or minor children should have a Will. You do not have to be wealthy, married, or near death to do some serious thinking about your Will.

ADMINISTRATION OF AN ESTATE

If you are named the executor or executrix, you must visit the County Surrogate to probate the Will. You will need the following items:
1. The Death Certificate
2. The Original Will
3. Names and Addresses of decedent's, next of kin and will beneficiaries
4. Minimum of $110.00 for Surrogate fees

A state inheritance tax return must be filed and the tax paid on the transfer of real or personal property within eight months after death.

CONCLUSION

Planning can only be done if someone is competent and/or alive. Make sure your assets can be passed directly to your loved ones.

KENNETH VERCAMMEN & ASSOCIATES, PC
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
(Phone) 732-572-0500
(Fax) 732-572-0030
website: www.njlaws.com

Wills and Estate Planning for Dermatologists


Where there’s No Will

If you do not write a Will, the State has already written one for you. Your assets go to whoever a state law says receives the assets, or to the government itself! A Will should be a statement to the things you truly care about: your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends, your Church and charities.

If You Have No Will:

If you leave no Will or your Will is declared invalid because it was improperly prepared or is not admissible to probate:

1. People you dislike or people who dislike and ignore you may get your assets.
2. State law determines who gets assets, not you
3. Additional expenses will be incurred and extra work will be required to qualify an administrator-Surety Bond, additional costs and legal fees
4. You Lose the opportunity to try to reduce NJ Estate Tax, State inheritance taxes and Federal estate taxes
5. A Judge determines who gets custody of children. A greedy brother or crazy mother in law could ask the court for custody.
6. If you have no spouse or close relatives the State may take your property
7. The procedure to distribute assets becomes more complicated
8. It probably will cause fights and lawsuits within your family
9. If no partnership agreement or procedure to transfer patient files your medical practice “good will” could be lost.

When loved ones are grieving and dealing with death, they shouldn’t be overwhelmed with Financial concerns.

Think- Who don’t you want to receive your assets? Without a Will, they could receive your assets and request custody of children.

Who is not the best choice to raise your children, or safeguard your children's money for college? Do you want children, or grandchildren, to get money when they turn 18? Will they invest money wisely, or go to Seaside and play games? It is important to set forth distribution of a valuable property such as the “good will” of your medical practice, the phone number of a business and medical equipment you own.

A Will must not only be prepared within the legal requirements of the New Jersey Statutes but should also be prepared so it leaves no questions regarding your intentions.

WHY PERIODIC REVIEW IS ESSENTIAL

Even if you have an existing Will, there are many events that occur which may necessitate changes in your Will. Some of these are:

* Marriage, death, birth, divorce or separation affecting either you or anyone named in your Will

* Significant changes in the value of your total assets or in any particular assets which you own

* A change in your domicile

* Death or incapacity of a beneficiary, or death, incapacity or change in residence of a named executor, trustee or guardian of infants, or of one of the witnesses to the execution of the Will

* Annual changes in tax law

* Changes in who you like

MAY I CHANGE MY CURRENT WILL?

Yes. A Will may be modified, added to, or entirely changed at any time before your death provided you are mentally and physically competent and desire to change your Will. You should consider revising your Will whenever there are changes in the size of your estate. For example, when your children are young, you may think it best to have a trust for them so they do not come into absolute ownership of property until they are mature. Beware, if you draw lines through items, erase or write over, or add notations to the original Will, it can be destroyed as a legal document. Either a new Will should be legally prepared or a codicil signed to legally change portions of the Will.

A portion of your Will and Estate Planning can be deducted on your income tax return when it deals with tax planning. Thus, part of the fee is tax deductible for income tax purposes.

THE FOLLOWING IS A SAMPLE OF A VARIETY OF CLAUSES AND ITEMS WHICH KENNETH VERCAMMEN’S LAW OFFICE OFTEN INCLUDES IN A WILL

1ST: DEBTS AND TAXES
2ND: SPECIFIC BEQUESTS
3RD: DISPOSITION TO SPOUSE
4TH: DISPOSITION OF REMAINDER OF ESTATE
5TH: CREATION OF TRUSTS FOR SPOUSE
6TH: CREATION OF TRUST FOR CHILDREN
7TH: OTHER BENEFICIARIES UNDER 21
8TH: EXECUTORS
9TH: TRUSTEES
10TH: GUARDIANS
11TH: SURETY OR BOND
12TH: POWERS
13TH: AFTERBORN CHILDREN
14TH: PRINCIPAL AND INCOME
15TH: NO ASSIGNMENT OF BEQUESTS
16TH: GENDER
17TH: CONSTRUCTION OF WILL
18TH: NO CONTEST CLAUSE

Under the law in New Jersey, if a person dies without a Will and without children, their spouse will inherit all assets, even if they are separated from the spouse. In addition, if you have children from a previous marriage, but no Will, your separated spouse will get half your estate. In planning, make sure your assets go to your loved ones or favorite charity. Therefore, you may wish to do the following:

1) Have an Elder Law attorney prepare a Will to distribute your assets to the people you care the most about. Also set forth provisions regarding receiving
the assets of your medical practice. If you already have a Will, prepare a new Will and have the old Will revoked. ( Your estate planning attorney will explain this to you.)
2) Prepare a Power of Attorney to select someone to handle your finances if you become disabled. Have your old power of attorney revoked.
3) Prepare a Living Will prepared
4) Change your beneficiary on assets you may own, such as stocks, bank accounts, IRA, and other financial assets. Change your beneficiary under your own life insurance, whether whole life insurance or term insurance.
5) Contact your employer's human resources and change the beneficiary on life insurance, pension, stock options or other employee benefits. Note that your spouse must sign a written waiver permitting you to change beneficiaries.
6) Keep your personal papers at a location where family can find them.
7) Have your attorney prepare a prenuptial agreement if you decide to get married.
8) Make sure the trustee for any funds designated for your children is the "right" trustee.
9) In New Jersey, if you are married and living with your spouse, under certain instances the surviving spouse has a right to "elect against the Will" The disinherited spouse may like to elect against the Will and try to obtain one third of the estate. Your attorney can explain how you can protect yourself and your children.
10) If you have minor children, nominate someone under a Will to serve as guardian to the children. Although the surviving parent obviously has first right of custody of children, they may not even want custody.

SAVE MONEY- Have your attorney prepare a self- proving Will with a No bond clause

Your estate will be subject to probate whether or not you have a Will and in most cases, a Will reduces the cost by eliminating the requirements of a bond. With a well-drawn Will, you may also reduce death taxes and other expenses. Don’t pinch pennies now to the detriment of your beneficiaries

The proper preparation of a Will should involve a careful analysis of the your assets, family and desires. Estate Planning is the process of examining what will happen to your property when you die and arranging for its distribution in such a manner as will accomplish your objectives.
The cost of a Will depends on the size and the complexity of the estate and the plans of the person who makes the Will.

Be sure your Will takes into account the 2009 Federal Tax changes and all New Jersey Inheritance Tax changes. Also, ascertain if your Will is “self-proving”, which would dispense with having to find the Will’s witnesses after death.

Everyone who has any assets or minor children should have a Will. You do not have to be wealthy, married, or near death to do some serious thinking about your Will.

ADMINISTRATION OF AN ESTATE

If you are named the executor or executrix, you must visit the County Surrogate to probate the Will. You will need the following items:
1. The Death Certificate
2. The Original Will
3. Names and Addresses of decedent's, next of kin and will beneficiaries
4. Minimum of $110.00 for Surrogate fees

A state inheritance tax return must be filed and the tax paid on the transfer of real or personal property within eight months after death.

CONCLUSION

Planning can only be done if someone is competent and/or alive. Make sure your assets can be passed directly to your loved ones.

KENNETH VERCAMMEN & ASSOCIATES, PC
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
(Phone) 732-572-0500
(Fax) 732-572-0030
website: www.njlaws.com

Monday, January 11, 2010

Will and Estate Planning for Psychologists

Where there’s No Will …

If you do not write a Will, the State has already written one for you. Your assets go to whoever a state law says receives the assets, or to the government itself! A Will should be a statement to the things you truly care about: your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends, your Church and charities.

It is important to do secession planning. Also, if you have partners in your business, a signed partnership agreement is valuable. Make sure you also have a Power of Attorney signed to plan for temporary disability. If your business is the primary support of family, how will your business continue to operate? How can your business be sold? It’s time for a call to action.

If You Have No Will:

If you leave no Will or your Will is declared invalid because it was improperly prepared or is not admissible to probate:

1. People you dislike or people who dislike and ignore you may get your assets.
2. State law determines who gets assets, not you
3. Additional expenses will be incurred and extra work will be required to qualify an administrator-Surety Bond, additional costs and legal fees
4. You lose the opportunity to try to reduce Estate Tax, State inheritance taxes and Federal estate taxes
5. A Judge determines who gets custody of children. A greedy brother or crazy mother in law could ask the court for custody.
6. If you have no spouse or close relatives the State may take your property
7. The procedure to distribute assets becomes more complicated
8. It probably will cause fights and lawsuits within your family
9. If no partnership agreement or procedure to transfer patient files your business good will could be lost.

When loved ones are grieving and dealing with death, they shouldn’t be overwhelmed with Financial concerns.

Think- Who don’t you want to receive your assets? Without a Will, they could receive your assets and request custody of children.

Who is not the best choice to raise your children, or safeguard your children's money for college? Do you want children, or grandchildren, to get money when they turn 18? Will they invest money wisely, or go to Seaside and play games?

Business assets

It is important to prepare a Will which sets forth distribution of a valuable property such as the good will of your business, the phone number of your business and equipment you own.
A Will must not only be prepared within the legal requirements of the state Statutes but should also be prepared so it leaves no questions regarding your intentions.

THE FOLLOWING IS A SAMPLE OF A VARIETY OF CLAUSES AND ITEMS WHICH KENNETH VERCAMMEN’S LAW OFFICE OFTEN INCLUDES IN A WILL

1ST: DEBTS AND TAXES
2ND: SPECIFIC BEQUESTS
3RD: DISPOSITION TO SPOUSE
4TH: DISPOSITION OF REMAINDER OF ESTATE
5TH: CREATION OF TRUSTS FOR SPOUSE
6TH: CREATION OF TRUST FOR CHILDREN
7TH: OTHER BENEFICIARIES UNDER 21
8TH: EXECUTORS
9TH: TRUSTEES
10TH: GUARDIANS
11TH: SURETY OR BOND
12TH: POWERS
13TH: AFTERBORN CHILDREN
14TH: PRINCIPAL AND INCOME
15TH: NO ASSIGNMENT OF BEQUESTS
16TH: GENDER
17TH: CONSTRUCTION OF WILL
18TH: NO CONTEST CLAUSE

WHY PERIODIC REVIEW IS ESSENTIAL

Even if you have an existing Will, there are many events that occur which may necessitate changes in your Will. Some of these are:

* Marriage, death, birth, divorce or separation affecting either you or anyone named in your Will

* Significant changes in the value of your total assets or in any particular assets which you own

* A change in your domicile

* Death or incapacity of a beneficiary, or death, incapacity or change in residence of a named executor, trustee or guardian of infants, or of one of the witnesses to the execution of the Will

* Annual changes in tax law

* Changes in who you like

MAY I CHANGE MY CURRENT WILL?

Yes. A Will may be modified, added to, or entirely changed at any time before your death provided you are mentally and physically competent and desire to change your Will. You should consider revising your Will whenever there are changes in the size of your estate. For example, when your children are young, you may think it best to have a trust for them so they do not come into absolute ownership of property until they are mature. Beware, if you draw lines through items, erase or write over, or add notations to the original Will, it can be destroyed as a legal document. Either a new Will should be legally prepared or a codicil signed to legally change portions of the Will.

A portion of your Will and Estate Planning can be deducted on your income tax return when it deals with tax planning. Thus, part of the fee is tax deductible for income tax purposes.
Under the law in New Jersey, if a person dies without a Will and without children, their spouse will inherit all assets, even if they are separated from the spouse. In addition, if you have children from a previous marriage, but no Will, your separated spouse will get half your estate. Therefore, you may wish to do the following:

1) Have an Elder Law attorney prepare a Will to distribute your assets to the people you care the most about. If you already have a Will, prepare a new Will and have the old Will revoked. ( Your estate planning attorney will explain this to you.)
2) Prepare a Power of Attorney to select someone to handle your finances if you become disabled. Have your old power of attorney revoked.
3) Prepare a Living Will prepared
4) Change your beneficiary on assets you may own, such as stocks, bank accounts, IRA, and other financial assets. Change your beneficiary under your own life insurance, whether whole life insurance or term insurance.
5) Contact your human resources person and change the beneficiary on life insurance, pension, stock options or other employee benefits. Note that your spouse must sign a written waiver permitting you to change beneficiaries.
6) Keep your personal papers at a location where family can find them.
7) Have your attorney prepare a prenuptial agreement if you decide to get re-married.
8) Make sure the trustee for any funds designated for your children is the "right" trustee.
9) In New Jersey, if you are married and living with your spouse, under certain instances the surviving spouse has a right to "elect against the Will" The disinherited spouse may like to elect against the Will and try to obtain one third of the estate. Your attorney can explain how you can protect yourself and your children.
10) If you have minor children, nominate someone under a Will to serve as guardian to the children. Although the surviving parent obviously has first right of custody of children, they may not even want custody.

SAVE MONEY- Have your attorney prepare a self- proving Will with a No bond clause

Your estate will be subject to probate whether or not you have a Will and in most cases, a Will reduces the cost by eliminating the requirements of a bond. With a well-drawn Will, you may also reduce death taxes and other expenses. Don’t pinch pennies now to the detriment of your beneficiaries

The proper preparation of a Will should involve a careful analysis of the your assets, family and desires.
Estate Planning is the process of examining what will happen to your property when you die and arranging for its distribution in such a manner as will accomplish your objectives.
The cost of a Will depends on the size and the complexity of the estate and the plans of the person who makes the Will.

Be sure your Will takes into account the 2009 Federal Tax changes and any Inheritance Tax changes. Also, ascertain if your Will is “self-proving”, which would dispense with having to find the Will’s witnesses after death.


OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE PREPARED BY YOUR ATTORNEY
-Power of Attorney- to allow a trusted person to administer your assets during your lifetime, either upon disability or now
-Living Wills- to state your wishes concerning medical care in the event of your serious illness
-Trusts (and Medicaid Trusts)

CONCLUSION

Planning can only be done if someone is competent and/or alive. Make sure your assets can be passed directly to your loved ones. Kenneth A. Vercammen is a Middlesex County trial attorney who has published 125 articles in national and New Jersey publications on litigation topics. He has been selected to lecture to trial lawyers by the American Bar Association, New Jersey State Bar Association and Middlesex County Bar Association.
Call our office to schedule a confidential appointment 732-572-0500

KENNETH VERCAMMEN & ASSOCIATES, PC
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
(Phone) 732-572-0500
(Fax) 732-572-0030
website: www.njlaws.com

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Wills and Estate Planning for Gastroenterologists

Where there's No Will

If you do not write a Will, the State has already written one for you. Your assets go to whoever a state law says receives the assets, or to the government itself! A Will should be a statement to the things you truly care about: your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends, your Church and charities.

If You Have No Will: If you leave no Will or your Will is declared invalid because it was improperly prepared or is not admissible to probate:

1. People you dislike or people who dislike and ignore you may get your assets. 2. State law determines who gets assets, not you 3. Additional expenses will be incurred and extra work will be required to qualify an administrator-Surety Bond, additional costs and legal fees 4. You Lose the opportunity to try to reduce NJ Estate Tax, State inheritance taxes and Federal estate taxes 5. A Judge determines who gets custody of children. A greedy brother or crazy mother in law could ask the court for custody. 6. If you have no spouse or close relatives the State may take your property 7. The procedure to distribute assets becomes more complicated 8. It probably will cause fights and lawsuits within your family 9. If no partnership agreement or procedure to transfer patient files your medical practice "good will" could be lost. When loved ones are grieving and dealing with death, they shouldn't be overwhelmed with Financial concerns.

Think- Who don't you want to receive your assets? Without a Will, they could receive your assets and request custody of children.

Who is not the best choice to raise your children, or safeguard your children's money for college? Do you want children, or grandchildren, to get money when they turn 18? Will they invest money wisely, or go to Seaside and play games? It is important to set forth distribution of a valuable property such as the "good will" of your medical practice, the phone number of a business and medical equipment you own.

A Will must not only be prepared within the legal requirements of the New Jersey Statutes but should also be prepared so it leaves no questions regarding your intentions.

WHY PERIODIC REVIEW IS ESSENTIAL Even if you have an existing Will, there are many events that occur which may necessitate changes in your Will. Some of these are: * Marriage, death, birth, divorce or separation affecting either you or anyone named in your Will

* Significant changes in the value of your total assets or in any particular assets which you own * A change in your domicile * Death or incapacity of a beneficiary, or death, incapacity or change in residence of a named executor, trustee or guardian of infants, or of one of the witnesses to the execution of the Will

* Annual changes in tax law

* Changes in who you like MAY I CHANGE MY CURRENT WILL? Yes. A Will may be modified, added to, or entirely changed at any time before your death provided you are mentally and physically competent and desire to change your Will. You should consider revising your Will whenever there are changes in the size of your estate. For example, when your children are young, you may think it best to have a trust for them so they do not come into absolute ownership of property until they are mature. Beware, if you draw lines through items, erase or write over, or add notations to the original Will, it can be destroyed as a legal document. Either a new Will should be legally prepared or a codicil signed to legally change portions of the Will.

A portion of your Will and Estate Planning can be deducted on your income tax return when it deals with tax planning. Thus, part of the fee is tax deductible for income tax purposes.

THE FOLLOWING IS A SAMPLE OF A VARIETY OF CLAUSES AND ITEMS WHICH KENNETH VERCAMMEN'S LAW OFFICE OFTEN INCLUDES IN A WILL 1ST: DEBTS AND TAXES 2ND: SPECIFIC BEQUESTS 3RD: DISPOSITION TO SPOUSE 4TH: DISPOSITION OF REMAINDER OF ESTATE 5TH: CREATION OF TRUSTS FOR SPOUSE 6TH: CREATION OF TRUST FOR CHILDREN 7TH: OTHER BENEFICIARIES UNDER 21 8TH: EXECUTORS 9TH: TRUSTEES 10TH: GUARDIANS 11TH: SURETY OR BOND 12TH: POWERS 13TH: AFTERBORN CHILDREN 14TH: PRINCIPAL AND INCOME 15TH: NO ASSIGNMENT OF BEQUESTS 16TH: GENDER 17TH: CONSTRUCTION OF WILL 18TH: NO CONTEST CLAUSE

Under the law in New Jersey, if a person dies without a Will and without children, their spouse will inherit all assets, even if they are separated from the spouse. In addition, if you have children from a previous marriage, but no Will, your separated spouse will get half your estate. In planning, make sure your assets go to your loved ones or favorite charity. Therefore, you may wish to do the following:

1) Have an Elder Law attorney prepare a Will to distribute your assets to the people you care the most about. Also set forth provisions regarding receiving the assets of your medical practice. If you already have a Will, prepare a new Will and have the old Will revoked. ( Your estate planning attorney will explain this to you.) 2) Prepare a Power of Attorney to select someone to handle your finances if you become disabled. Have your old power of attorney revoked. 3) Prepare a Living Will prepared 4) Change your beneficiary on assets you may own, such as stocks, bank accounts, IRA, and other financial assets. Change your beneficiary under your own life insurance, whether whole life insurance or term insurance. 5) Contact your employer's human resources and change the beneficiary on life insurance, pension, stock options or other employee benefits. Note that your spouse must sign a written waiver permitting you to change beneficiaries. 6) Keep your personal papers at a location where family can find them. 7) Have your attorney prepare a prenuptial agreement if you decide to get married. 8) Make sure the trustee for any funds designated for your children is the "right" trustee. 9) In New Jersey, if you are married and living with your spouse, under certain instances the surviving spouse has a right to "elect against the Will" The disinherited spouse may like to elect against the Will and try to obtain one third of the estate. Your attorney can explain how you can protect yourself and your children. 10) If you have minor children, nominate someone under a Will to serve as guardian to the children. Although the surviving parent obviously has first right of custody of children, they may not even want custody.

SAVE MONEY- Have your attorney prepare a self- proving Will with a No bond clause Your estate will be subject to probate whether or not you have a Will and in most cases, a Will reduces the cost by eliminating the requirements of a bond. With a well-drawn Will, you may also reduce death taxes and other expenses. Don't pinch pennies now to the detriment of your beneficiaries

The proper preparation of a Will should involve a careful analysis of the your assets, family and desires. Estate Planning is the process of examining what will happen to your property when you die and arranging for its distribution in such a manner as will accomplish your objectives. The cost of a Will depends on the size and the complexity of the estate and the plans of the person who makes the Will.

Be sure your Will takes into account the 2009 Federal Tax changes and all New Jersey Inheritance Tax changes. Also, ascertain if your Will is "self-proving", which would dispense with having to find the Will's witnesses after death.

Everyone who has any assets or minor children should have a Will. You do not have to be wealthy, married, or near death to do some serious thinking about your Will.

ADMINISTRATION OF AN ESTATE If you are named the executor or executrix, you must visit the County Surrogate to probate the Will. You will need the following items: 1. The Death Certificate 2. The Original Will 3. Names and Addresses of decedent's, next of kin and will beneficiaries 4. Minimum of $110.00 for Surrogate fees

A state inheritance tax return must be filed and the tax paid on the transfer of real or personal property within eight months after death.

CONCLUSION

Planning can only be done if someone is competent and/or alive. Make sure your assets can be passed directly to your loved ones.

KENNETH VERCAMMEN & ASSOCIATES, PC ATTORNEY AT LAW
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
(Phone) 732-572-0500
(Fax) 732-572-0030
website: www.njlaws.com

Wills and Estate

Where there’s No Will

If you do not write a Will, the State has already written one for you. Your assets go to whoever a state law says receives the assets, or to the government itself! A Will should be a statement to the things you truly care about: your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends, your Church and charities.

If You Have No Will:

If you leave no Will or your Will is declared invalid because it was improperly prepared or is not admissible to probate:

1. People you dislike or people who dislike and ignore you may get your assets.
2. State law determines who gets assets, not you
3. Additional expenses will be incurred and extra work will be required to qualify an administrator-Surety Bond, additional costs and legal fees
4. You Lose the opportunity to try to reduce NJ Estate Tax, State inheritance taxes and Federal estate taxes
5. A Judge determines who gets custody of children. A greedy brother or crazy mother in law could ask the court for custody.
6. If you have no spouse or close relatives the State may take your property
7. The procedure to distribute assets becomes more complicated
8. It probably will cause fights and lawsuits within your family
9. If no partnership agreement or procedure to transfer patient files your medical practice “good will” could be lost.

When loved ones are grieving and dealing with death, they shouldn’t be overwhelmed with Financial concerns.

Think- Who don’t you want to receive your assets? Without a Will, they could receive your assets and request custody of children.

Who is not the best choice to raise your children, or safeguard your children's money for college? Do you want children, or grandchildren, to get money when they turn 18? Will they invest money wisely, or go to Seaside and play games? It is important to set forth distribution of a valuable property such as the “good will” of your medical practice, the phone number of a business and medical equipment you own.

A Will must not only be prepared within the legal requirements of the New Jersey Statutes but should also be prepared so it leaves no questions regarding your intentions.

WHY PERIODIC REVIEW IS ESSENTIAL

Even if you have an existing Will, there are many events that occur which may necessitate changes in your Will. Some of these are:

* Marriage, death, birth, divorce or separation affecting either you or anyone named in your Will

* Significant changes in the value of your total assets or in any particular assets which you own

* A change in your domicile

* Death or incapacity of a beneficiary, or death, incapacity or change in residence of a named executor, trustee or guardian of infants, or of one of the witnesses to the execution of the Will

* Annual changes in tax law

* Changes in who you like

MAY I CHANGE MY CURRENT WILL?

Yes. A Will may be modified, added to, or entirely changed at any time before your death provided you are mentally and physically competent and desire to change your Will. You should consider revising your Will whenever there are changes in the size of your estate. For example, when your children are young, you may think it best to have a trust for them so they do not come into absolute ownership of property until they are mature. Beware, if you draw lines through items, erase or write over, or add notations to the original Will, it can be destroyed as a legal document. Either a new Will should be legally prepared or a codicil signed to legally change portions of the Will.

A portion of your Will and Estate Planning can be deducted on your income tax return when it deals with tax planning. Thus, part of the fee is tax deductible for income tax purposes.

THE FOLLOWING IS A SAMPLE OF A VARIETY OF CLAUSES AND ITEMS WHICH KENNETH VERCAMMEN’S LAW OFFICE OFTEN INCLUDES IN A WILL

1ST: DEBTS AND TAXES
2ND: SPECIFIC BEQUESTS
3RD: DISPOSITION TO SPOUSE
4TH: DISPOSITION OF REMAINDER OF ESTATE
5TH: CREATION OF TRUSTS FOR SPOUSE
6TH: CREATION OF TRUST FOR CHILDREN
7TH: OTHER BENEFICIARIES UNDER 21
8TH: EXECUTORS
9TH: TRUSTEES
10TH: GUARDIANS
11TH: SURETY OR BOND
12TH: POWERS
13TH: AFTERBORN CHILDREN
14TH: PRINCIPAL AND INCOME
15TH: NO ASSIGNMENT OF BEQUESTS
16TH: GENDER
17TH: CONSTRUCTION OF WILL
18TH: NO CONTEST CLAUSE

Under the law in New Jersey, if a person dies without a Will and without children, their spouse will inherit all assets, even if they are separated from the spouse. In addition, if you have children from a previous marriage, but no Will, your separated spouse will get half your estate. In planning, make sure your assets go to your loved ones or favorite charity. Therefore, you may wish to do the following:

1) Have an Elder Law attorney prepare a Will to distribute your assets to the people you care the most about. Also set forth provisions regarding receiving
the assets of your medical practice. If you already have a Will, prepare a new Will and have the old Will revoked. ( Your estate planning attorney will explain this to you.)
2) Prepare a Power of Attorney to select someone to handle your finances if you become disabled. Have your old power of attorney revoked.
3) Prepare a Living Will prepared
4) Change your beneficiary on assets you may own, such as stocks, bank accounts, IRA, and other financial assets. Change your beneficiary under your own life insurance, whether whole life insurance or term insurance.
5) Contact your employer's human resources and change the beneficiary on life insurance, pension, stock options or other employee benefits. Note that your spouse must sign a written waiver permitting you to change beneficiaries.
6) Keep your personal papers at a location where family can find them.
7) Have your attorney prepare a prenuptial agreement if you decide to get married.
8) Make sure the trustee for any funds designated for your children is the "right" trustee.
9) In New Jersey, if you are married and living with your spouse, under certain instances the surviving spouse has a right to "elect against the Will" The disinherited spouse may like to elect against the Will and try to obtain one third of the estate. Your attorney can explain how you can protect yourself and your children.
10) If you have minor children, nominate someone under a Will to serve as guardian to the children. Although the surviving parent obviously has first right of custody of children, they may not even want custody.

SAVE MONEY- Have your attorney prepare a self- proving Will with a No bond clause

Your estate will be subject to probate whether or not you have a Will and in most cases, a Will reduces the cost by eliminating the requirements of a bond. With a well-drawn Will, you may also reduce death taxes and other expenses. Don’t pinch pennies now to the detriment of your beneficiaries

The proper preparation of a Will should involve a careful analysis of the your assets, family and desires. Estate Planning is the process of examining what will happen to your property when you die and arranging for its distribution in such a manner as will accomplish your objectives.
The cost of a Will depends on the size and the complexity of the estate and the plans of the person who makes the Will.

Be sure your Will takes into account the 2009 Federal Tax changes and all New Jersey Inheritance Tax changes. Also, ascertain if your Will is “self-proving”, which would dispense with having to find the Will’s witnesses after death.

Everyone who has any assets or minor children should have a Will. You do not have to be wealthy, married, or near death to do some serious thinking about your Will.

ADMINISTRATION OF AN ESTATE

If you are named the executor or executrix, you must visit the County Surrogate to probate the Will. You will need the following items:
1. The Death Certificate
2. The Original Will
3. Names and Addresses of decedent's, next of kin and will beneficiaries
4. Minimum of $110.00 for Surrogate fees

A state inheritance tax return must be filed and the tax paid on the transfer of real or personal property within eight months after death.

CONCLUSION

Planning can only be done if someone is competent and/or alive. Make sure your assets can be passed directly to your loved ones.

KENNETH VERCAMMEN & ASSOCIATES, PC
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
(Phone) 732-572-0500
(Fax) 732-572-0030
website: www.njlaws.com