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, March 12, 2016

Wills & Power of Attorney Seminar South Brunswick Library March 21, 2016

South Brunswick Library

March 21, 2016 at 7pm

SPEAKER: Kenneth Vercammen, Esq. Edison, NJ
                (Author- Answers to Questions About Probate)

     The NJ Probate Law made a number of substantial changes in Probate and the administration of estates and trusts in New Jersey.
Main Topics:
1. The New Probate Law and preparation of Wills    
2. 2016 changes in Federal Estate and Gift Tax 
3. NJ Inheritance taxes on estates over $675,000
4. Power of Attorney               
5.  Living Will                                  
6.  Administering the Estate/ Probate/Surrogate    
7. Questions and Answer          

             Open to the Public. You do not need to be a South Brunswick resident.
      COMPLIMENTARY MATERIAL: Brochures on Wills, "Answers to Questions about Probate" and Administration of an Estate, Power of Attorney, Living Wills, Real Estate Sales for Seniors, and Trusts.
South Brunswick Library 
110 Kingston Lane        
Monmouth Junction NJ 08852
732-329-4000  x 7637

Can’t attend?  We can email you materials Send email to VercammenLaw@Njlaws.com

FREE WILL SEMINARS AND SPEAKERS BUREAU for community groups
         The AARP Network Attorneys of the Edison/Metuchen/East Brunswick area had established a community Speakers Bureau to provide educational programs to AARP and senior clubs, Unions and Middlesex County companies. During the past year, volunteer attorneys of the Middlesex County Estate Planning Council have provided Legal Rights Seminars to hundreds of seniors, business owners and their employees, unions, clubs and non-profit groups. These quality daytime educational programs will educate and even entertain. Clubs and companies are invited to schedule a free seminar. For other organizations to schedule a Will Seminar, please call Kenneth Vercammen Law Office at (732) 572-0500, email VercammenLaw@njlaws.com

         Kenneth Vercammen is a trial attorney in Edison, NJ. Ken is author of the ABA’s book  Wills and Estate Administration. He is co-chair of the American Bar Association’s Probate & Estate Planning Law Committee of the American Bar Association Solo Small Firm Division.  Ken is a speaker for the NJ State Bar Association at the annual Nuts & Bolts of Elder Law & Estate Administration program.
        
Mr. Vercammen has published over 150 legal articles in national and New Jersey publications on litigation, elder law, probate and trial topics. He is a highly regarded lecturer on litigation and probate law for the American Bar Association, NJ ICLE, New Jersey State Bar Association and Middlesex County Bar Association. His articles have been published in noted publications included New Jersey Law Journal, ABA Law Practice Management Magazine, and New Jersey Lawyer. He established the NJlaws website www.njlaws.com which includes many articles on Estate Planning, Probate and Wills. He is a member of the AARP and often lectures to groups on the importance of an up to date Will, Power of Attorney and Living Will.
KENNETH  VERCAMMEN & ASSOCIATES, PC
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
(Phone) 732-572-0500
 (Fax)    732-572-0030
www.njlaws.com
www.CentralJerseyElderLaw.com


Friday, March 04, 2016

Wills & Power of Attorney Seminar Piscataway Library Kennedy Branch March 10 at 7pm

Wills & Power of Attorney Seminar 
Piscataway Library Kennedy Branch
500 Hoes Lane Piscataway NJ 08854
March 10 at 7pm

SPEAKER: Kenneth Vercammen, Esq. Edison, NJ
(Author- ABA’s “Wills and Estate Administration book”)

The new NJ Probate Law made a number of substantial changes in Probate and the administration of estates and trusts in New Jersey. 
Main Topics:
1. The New Probate Law and preparation of Wills
2. 2016 changes in Federal Estate and Gift Tax 
3. NJ Inheritance taxes on estates over $675,000
4. Power of Attorney
5. Living Will
6. Administering the Estate/ Probate/Surrogate
7. Questions and Answer

COMPLIMENTARY MATERIAL: Brochures on Wills, "Answers to Questions about Probate" and Administration of an Estate, Power of Attorney, Living Wills, Real Estate Sales for Seniors, and Trusts.
Piscataway Library Kennedy Branch
Register at the Kennedy Library Information Desk or by calling 732-463-1633x6
http://www.piscatawaylibrary.org/content/wills-estates
Can’t attend? We can email you materials Send email to VercammenLaw@Njlaws.com

Free Will Seminars and Speakers Bureau for Groups
10 years ago the AARP Network Attorneys of the Edison/Metuchen/Woodbridge area several years ago established a community Speakers Bureau to provide educational programs to AARP and senior clubs, Unions and Middlesex County companies. Now, volunteer attorneys of the Middlesex County Estate Planning Council have provided Legal Rights Seminars to hundreds of seniors, business owners and their employees, unions, clubs and non-profit groups. These quality daytime educational programs will educate and even entertain. Clubs and companies are invited to schedule a free seminar. The following Seminars are now available:

Details on the 2 programs currently offered:
1. WILLS & ESTATE ADMINISTRATION- PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND MAKE PLANNING EASY

2. POWER OF ATTORNEY to permit family to pay your bills if you are temporarily disabled and permit doctors to talk with family

All instructors are licensed attorneys who have been in practice at least 25 years. All instructors are members of the American Bar Association, New Jersey State Bar Association, and Middlesex County Bar Association. All programs include free written materials.
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 state law.
Topics discussed include: Who needs a Will?; What if you die without a Will (intestacy)?; Mechanics of a Will; Selecting an executor, trustee, and guardian; Proper Will execution; Inheritance Taxes, Estate Taxes "Living Will"; Powers of Attorney; $14,000 annual gift tax exclusion, Bequests to charity, Why you need a "Self-Proving" Will and Estate Administration/ Probate.
Sample materials: Hand-outs on Wills, Living Wills/Medical Advance Directive, Power of Attorney, Probate and Administration of an Estate, Real Estate, Working with your Attorney, Consumers Guide to New Jersey Laws, and Senior Citizen Rights.

SPEAKERS BUREAU
At the request of senior citizen groups, unions, and Middlesex County companies and organizations, the " Speakers Bureau " is a service designed to educate citizens about how laws affect their lives and how the judicial system operates. We have attorneys available to speak to businesspersons, educational, civic and social organizations on a wide range of topics during business hours.

HELP YOUR MEMBERS LEARN THE LAW, PREVENT OR AVOID LEGAL PROBLEMS
Chances are many of your members have been in a situation where they could have benefited from legal advice. Have you ever been in an accident? Has a motor vehicle or criminal complaint ever been filed against you or a member of your family? Many individuals face these and other types of problems. Often people do not protect their rights, only to later face lengthy license suspensions or even jail for failure to resolve legal problems early on. That's why Legal Rights Seminars are offered.
This means your members can get advice and possibly prevent legal problems before they occur. Most importantly, they can have peace of mind.
Americans need an attorney when legal problems strike. As in the case of medical services, early treatment can prevent catastrophe and its attendant cost in time and money. For example, psychological studies have demonstrated that there is a direct correlation between legal problems and lost work time and productivity. Employees' work performance often has a direct relationship to personal legal problems. Therefore, the sooner a solution can be found for the employees' problems, the sooner employees can focus on their work.
In today's complex world, few people can function successfully and safely without competent legal advice. In order to insure your estate plans are legally set up, you need to know exactly where you stand so that you can avoid possibly catastrophic mistakes impacting both you and your family. For additional information on the Legal Seminars, contact our Coordinator, Kenneth Vercammen’s law office at (732) 572-0500, email VercammenLaw@njlaws.com or fax 732-572-0030.

About the speaker: Kenneth A. Vercammen is a trial attorney in Edison, NJ. He is co-chair of the ABA Probate & Estate Planning Law Committee of the American Bar Association Solo Small Firm Division. He is a speaker for the NJ State Bar Association at the annual Nuts & Bolts of Elder Law & Estate Administration program. He is writing a book for the ABA on Wills and Estates.
He was Editor of the ABA Estate Planning Probate Committee Newsletter. Mr. Vercammen has published over 150 legal articles in national and New Jersey publications on litigation, elder law, probate and trial topics. He is a highly regarded lecturer on litigation and probate law for the American Bar Association, NJ ICLE, New Jersey State Bar Association and Middlesex County Bar Association. His articles have been published in noted publications included New Jersey Law Journal, ABA Law Practice Management Magazine, and New Jersey Lawyer. He established the NJlaws website www.njlaws.com which includes many articles on Estate Planning, Probate and Wills. He is a member of the AARP and often lectures to groups on the importance of an up to date Will, Power of Attorney and Living Will.


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

Monday, February 22, 2016

Review of the Major Municipal Court Cases 2015-2016


March 2, 2016 at 12 noon, followed by monthly meeting of
Retired Police & Fire Middlesex & Monmouth Local 9 meeting NJRPFA
107 George St, South Amboy, New Jersey 08879
This is an opportunity for both Retired and active Police and Fire to meet members of Local 9 and receive a quick update in cases affecting law enforcement. Retired and active Police can also discuss issues regarding COLA and the pending legal battles in Trenton.
       For information or membership in Local 9, contact President Mike Burns mcbkc@aol.com  732-721-7474 Retired Police & Fire Middlesex & Monmouth Local 9 meeting NJRPFA. This pre-business meeting is not limited to just Middlesex & Monmouth. Any interested active and retired law enforcement can attend the update on Municipal Court.  Please share
Speaker: KENNETH VERCAMMEN, Esq. of Edison
                  Contributing writer for the NJ Police Chief Magazine
Editor: NJ Municipal Court Law Review       www.njlaws.com/mun.html
 Past President Middlesex Municipal Court Prosecutors Assoc



Some of the featured cases will include:
- Warrantless auto search permitted on probable cause gives police greater power State v. Witt overrules Pena Flores
-Accident with unconscious driver was exigency for police to take blood. State v. Jones
-Police have pc if odor of pot State v Myers  
- No DWI dismissal even if form not given to DWI suspects S v Sorensen    
- Driver is not subject to criminal driving while suspended if DWI suspension period expired prior to driving, still subject to traffic dws State v Perry  [handled by Ken V]

New Jersey Retired Police & Firemen's Association, Inc. http://Www.njrpfa.org/

Saturday, February 20, 2016

26:2H-5.31 Discharge, transfer of patient unaffected.

26:2H-5.30 Construction of act relative to private right of action against hospital.

26:2H-5.30  Construction of act relative to private right of action against hospital.
7. a.  Nothing in this act shall be construed to create a private right of action against a hospital, a hospital employee, or any consultants or contractors with whom a hospital has a contractual relationship.

b.A hospital, a hospital employee, or any consultants or contractors with whom a hospital has a contractual relationship shall not be held liable, in any way, for the services rendered or not rendered by the caregiver to the patient at the patient's residence.

c.Nothing in this act shall be construed to obviate the obligation of an insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation, health maintenance organization, or any other entity issuing health benefits plans to provide coverage required under a health benefits plan. 

d. (1)  A caregiver shall not be reimbursed by any government or commercial payer for after-care assistance that is provided pursuant to this act.

(2)Nothing in this act shall be construed to impact, impede, or otherwise disrupt or reduce the reimbursement obligations of an insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation, health maintenance organization, or any other entity issuing health benefits plans.

26:2H-5.29 Construction of act relative to advanced care directive.

26:2H-5.28 Hospital to consult with designated caregiver.

26:2H-5.28  Hospital to consult with designated caregiver. 
5. a. As soon as possible prior to a patient's discharge from a hospital to the patient's residence, the hospital shall consult with the designated caregiver and issue a discharge plan that describes a patient's after-care assistance needs, if any, at the patient's residence.  The consultation and issuance of a discharge plan shall occur on a schedule that takes into consideration the severity of the patient's condition, the setting in which care is to be delivered, and the urgency of the need for caregiver services.  In the event the hospital is unable to contact the designated caregiver, the lack of contact shall not interfere with, delay, or otherwise affect the medical care provided to the patient, or an appropriate discharge of the patient.  The hospital shall promptly document the attempt in the patient's medical record.  At a minimum, the discharge plan shall include:

(1)The name and contact information of the caregiver designated under this act;

(2)A description of all after-care assistance tasks necessary to maintain the patient's ability to reside at home; and

(3)Contact information for any health care, community resources, and long-term services and supports necessary to successfully carry out the patient's discharge plan, and contact information for a hospital employee who can respond to questions about the discharge plan after the instruction provided pursuant to subsection b. of this section.

b.The hospital issuing the discharge plan must provide caregivers with instructions in all after-care assistance tasks described in the discharge plan.  Training and instructions for caregivers may be conducted in person or through video technology, at the discretion of the caregiver.  Any training or instructions provided to a caregiver shall be provided in non-technical language, to the extent possible.  At a minimum, this instruction shall include:

(1)A live or recorded demonstration of the tasks performed by an individual designated by the hospital, who is authorized to perform the after-care assistance task, and is able to perform the demonstration in a culturally-competent manner and in accordance with the hospital's requirements to provide language access services under State and federal law;

(2)An opportunity for the caregiver to ask questions about the after-care assistance tasks; and

(3)Answers to the caregiver's questions provided in a culturally-competent manner and in accordance with the hospital's requirements to provide language access services under State and federal law.

c.Any instruction required under this act shall be documented in the patient's medical record, including, at a minimum, the date, time, and contents of the instruction.

26:2H-5.27 Notification to designated caregiver of discharge, transfer.

26:2H-5.26 Designation of caregiver.

26:2H-5.26  Designation of caregiver.
3. a. A hospital shall provide each patient or, if applicable, the patient's legal guardian, with an opportunity to designate at least one caregiver following the patient's entry into a hospital, and prior to the patient's discharge to the patient's residence, in a timeframe that is consistent with the discharge planning process provided by regulation.  The hospital shall promptly document the request in the patient's medical record.

b.In the event that the patient is unconscious or otherwise incapacitated upon entry into the hospital, the hospital shall provide the patient or the patient's legal guardian with an opportunity to designate a caregiver within a given timeframe, at the discretion of the attending physician, following the patient's recovery of consciousness or capacity.  The hospital shall promptly document the attempt in the patient's medical record.

c.In the event that the patient or legal guardian declines to designate a caregiver pursuant to this act, the hospital shall promptly document this declination in the patient's medical record.

d.In the event that the patient or the patient's legal guardian designates an individual as a caregiver under this act:

(1)The hospital shall promptly request the written consent of the patient or the patient's legal guardian to release medical information to the patient's designated caregiver following the hospital's established procedures for releasing personal health information and in compliance with all State and federal laws, including the federal "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996," Pub.L.104-191, and related regulations.

(a)If the patient or the patient's legal guardian declines to consent to release medical information to the patient's designated caregiver, the hospital is not required to provide notice to the caregiver under section 4 of P.L.2014, c.68 (C.26:2H-5.27) or provide information contained in the patient's discharge plan under section 5 of P.L.2014, c.68 (C.26:2H-5.28).

(2)The hospital shall record the patient's designation of caregiver, the relationship of the designated caregiver to the patient, and the name, telephone number, and address of the patient's designated caregiver in the patient's medical record.

e.A patient or the patient's legal guardian may elect to change the patient's designated caregiver at any time, and the hospital must record this change in the patient's medical record before the patient's discharge.

f.This section shall not be construed to require a patient or a patient's legal guardian to designate any individual as a caregiver.

g.A designation of a caregiver by a patient or a patient's legal guardian does not obligate the designated individual to perform any after-care assistance for the patient.

h.In the event that the patient is a minor child, and the parents of the patient are divorced, the custodial parent shall have the authority to designate a caregiver.  If the parents have joint custody of the patient, they shall jointly designate the caregiver.