Friday, April 28, 2017

SELF PROVING WILLS TO SPEED UP PROBATE

SELF PROVING WILLS TO SPEED UP PROBATE

                  Under the old New Jersey Probate Rules required one of the two witnesses to a will to travel and appear in the surrogate’s office and sign a paper to certify they were a witness.  This often created problems when the witness was deceased, moved away, or simply could not be located.  Some witnesses would require a $500 fee to simply sign a surrogate paper.

         The New Jersey Legislature passed a law to create a new type of will called a “Self-Proving Will.”  In such a will, the person for whom the will is made will sign.  Then two witnesses sign.  Then the attorney or notary must sign; with certain statutory language to indicate the will is self proving.  When done properly, the execution will not have to locate any witnesses.  This usually saves time and money.  If your will is not “self-proving” or if you are unsure, schedule an appointment with an elder law attorney.


Thursday, April 27, 2017


    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, Ken Vercammen, Esq. and 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. For additional information on the Legal Seminars, contact our Coordinator, Kenneth Vercammen's law office at (732) 572-0500, email VercammenLaw@njlaws.com 
Details on free programs available

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:
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; "Living Will"; Powers of Attorney; Selecting an executor, trustee, and guardian; Proper Will execution; Inheritance Taxes, Estate Taxes  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.

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.

About the speaker: Kenneth A. Vercammen is a trial attorney in Edison, NJ. We is the author of the American Bar Association’s book “Wills and Estate Administration”
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 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
Spotswood Senior Center Wills, Estate Planning & Probate Seminar
May 23 at 12:00
Free community program
Spotswood Senior Center
1 Arlington Ave.     
Spotswood NJ  0888      
 WILLS & ESTATE ADMINISTRATION-PROTECT YOUR
FAMILY AND MAKE PLANNING EASY
 SPEAKER: Kenneth Vercammen, Esq. Edison, NJ (Author- Wills and Estate Administration by the ABA)
       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.   2017 changes to NJ Estate Tax & changes to taxes on pensions
2. 2017changes in Federal Estate and Gift Tax 
3. The New Probate Law and preparation of Wills 
4. Power of Attorney
5.  Living Will             
6.  Administering the Estate/ Probate/Surrogate 
You do not have to be a resident to attend
       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.
  For information contact
Spotswood Senior Center
1 Arlington Ave.     
Spotswood NJ  08884    
732-251-3432        bblatt@spotswoodboro.com

https://www.facebook.com/events/405130593204112/

Woodbridge Library Wills, Estate Planning & Probate Seminar May 15

 Woodbridge Library
Wills, Estate Planning & Probate Seminar
May 15 at 7pm
       May is Older Americans Month
At Woodbridge Public Library
1 George Frederick Plaza
Woodbridge NJ 07095 

WILLS & ESTATE ADMINISTRATION-PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND MAKE PLANNING EASY

SPEAKER: Kenneth Vercammen, Esq. Edison, NJ (Author- Wills and Estate Administration by the ABA)

Main Topics:
 1. 2017 changes to NJ Estate Tax & changes to taxes on pensions
2. Updates in Federal Estate and Gift Tax 
3. The New Probate Law and preparation of Wills   
4. Why a new Power of Attorney is important 
5.  Living Wills             
6.  Administering the Estate/ Probate/Surrogate   

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.
     Woodbridge Public Library
1 George Frederick Plaza
Woodbridge NJ 07095 

akane@woodbridgelibrary.org


732-634-4450
https://www.facebook.com/events/447231285610580/
t 7pm
       May is Older Americans Month
At Woodbridge Public Library
1 George Frederick Plaza
Woodbridge NJ 07095 

WILLS & ESTATE ADMINISTRATION-PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND MAKE PLANNING EASY

SPEAKER: Kenneth Vercammen, Esq. Edison, NJ (Author- Wills and Estate Administration by the ABA)

Main Topics:
 1. 2017 changes to NJ Estate Tax & changes to taxes on pensions
2. Updates in Federal Estate and Gift Tax 
3. The New Probate Law and preparation of Wills   
4. Why a new Power of Attorney is important 
5.  Living Wills             
6.  Administering the Estate/ Probate/Surrogate   

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.
     Woodbridge Public Library
1 George Frederick Plaza
Woodbridge NJ 07095 

akane@woodbridgelibrary.org


732-634-4450

https://www.facebook.com/events/447231285610580/