Estate Planning Attorneys Serving in Bridgewater
When you’re happy and healthy, estate planning might be the last thing on your mind. However, there is no better time to start planning your future than the present! Working with an estate planning attorney from the Van Dyck Law Firm can help ensure that your affairs are in order and that your wishes are carried out exactly as you’d like.
Our experienced attorneys at the Van Dyck Law Firm will work with you to answer any questions you have, help you plan for whatever possibilities seem necessary, and also ensure that your plans are put into place if needed. You have worked hard in your life to acquire your assets — make sure that you leave a plan for your family and the causes you care most about that can accurately reflect the values and priorities you held in life.
Even if you aren’t quite ready for end-of-life planning, our experienced attorneys can also help you designate someone to care for your estate if you are ever to become incapacitated, as well as appoint someone to make medical decisions for you if you are unable.
Many people enjoy knowing that their future and their family are cared for if the worst should happen. If you are ready to begin the estate planning process, call (609) 293-2562 or contact us online to schedule a no-risk, confidential consultation today.
Estate Planning Lawyers Helping Bridgewater Residents Preserve Their Legacy
Bridgewater, New Jersey is an attractive place to live for many reasons. Whether it’s the great public schools, the proximity to New York City, or the easy access to parks and nature, it’s no wonder that Money magazine picked Bridgewater as one of the best places to live in the United States.
Given the lower than average poverty rate and the higher than average income, many families in the area have been able to work hard and begin building their legacies. Prioritize protecting these legacies by working with an estate planning attorney at Van Dyck Law Firm with experience in Bridgewater. Let us help you prepare for the future and whatever it might bring.
Unfortunately, accidents and illnesses can change your life in an instant. Give yourself and your family peace of mind by planning for the worst-case scenario. Doing so can save your family from having to make difficult decisions on their own in the face of a stressful situation. It also gives them peace of mind in knowing that your wishes are being carried out exactly as you want.
At Van Dyck Law, our New Jersey estate planning services include:
- Last Will & Testament Creation
- Trust Formation
- Estate Tax Planning
- Charitable Planning
- Special Needs Estate Planning
- Asset Protection
- Long-term Care Planning
- Medical Crisis Planning (Advance Directives)
- Powers of Attorney
- Estate Plan Reviews
- Probate Assistance
Proudly Serving Our Clients in Somerset County
The complexities of New Jersey estate planning laws can seem overwhelming, especially when it comes to inheritance taxes, charitable gifting, and guiding medical decisions when you are incapacitated. Fortunately, managing attorney Fiona Van Dyck and the other lawyers at our firm are well versed in all of the rules and regulations that could impact your future planning.
Van Dyck Law Group provides clients with personalized guidance to help them get their plans in order. Whether you are looking to strategize for potential scenarios or establish beneficiaries for your assets, our attorneys can help residents of Somerset County, including those who live in Bridgewater.
Somerset County is home to 21 vibrant communities. It is known for being an excellent place to live, work, and visit. Besides rich history, Somerset County also features many county parks, restaurants, shopping areas, and well-renowned public and private schools. With a diverse business environment, the area is constantly expanding.
Somerset County is also one of the fastest-growing counties in New Jersey. Located in central New Jersey, residents are never far from two of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas: New York City and Philadelphia. Within its 21 municipalities, there are 12 boroughs and nine townships. The most populous municipalities include Franklin, Bridgewater, Hillsborough, and Bernards Township. Van Dyck Law Group is proud to provide services to the residents of Somerset County, so they can be prepared for whatever future lies ahead.
The Benefits of Working With an Estate Planning Law Firm
While you have the option of completing an estate plan on your own accord, it is advisable to work with an attorney. Not only will working with an attorney ensure that your wishes are carried out after your passing, but it will also save you time, stress, and money. With the lawyer by your side, you can protect your assets, reduce any estate taxes your beneficiaries could face, and uphold your legacy.
Protect Your Assets
Protecting your estate and family means protecting your assets. Your attorney will explain how to protect your personal assets from creditors and other claims. For example, your estate plan could include a domestic asset protection trust or a charitable trust. If you are a business owner, it is possible that without proper estate planning business assets could be jeopardized due to regulatory structures and laws that come into effect upon your passing. Fortunately, there are estate plan strategies that can reduce losses in the future and ensure your vision for your legacy is upheld.
Reduce Your Estate Taxes
If you do not have an estate plan in place, it is more than likely that any beneficiary of yours will incur taxes when they receive any assets or money from you. When you work with an estate planning lawyer, they can help you review your options and provide solutions to reduce those taxes. With the real estate plan, your beneficiaries can avoid probate court altogether.
Build Your Legacy
An attorney can help you create a trust that secures your family’s finances for years to come to build your legacy. At Van Dyck Law Group, we understand how sensitive estate planning can be. We will ensure you receive the utmost respect throughout the entire process so that your family members can uphold your wishes. With the help of an estate planning attorney, you can avoid risking your family having to surrender a significant portion of your estate to creditors or taxes. Depending on the circumstances, your lawyer can also help you establish a trust or a charitable planning instrument to leave behind a world that’s a little better than you entered into it, thanks to your care and compassion.
Understanding the Intricacies of Estate Planning in New Jersey
In New Jersey, assets, property, and other interests can be divided into designated beneficiaries or trusts upon your passing. The laws can seem complicated, which is why it is so important to work with an attorney.
It is also important to note that if you do not have an estate plan, a state probate court will decide how to handle your assets. That could mean that your relatives, friends, or other beneficiaries would not receive what you would have intended. Some of the laws that will come and play when planning your estate include:
- Will Laws — A will is a document that outlines how a person would like their possessions to be managed after death, among other critical instructions. In New Jersey, oral wills are not allowed.
- Living Will Laws — A living will, also known as an advance directive, is a document that discusses your preferences for medical and end-of-life care.
- Probate Laws — Probate is the process of administering someone’s estate after that person dies. If there is a will, their property is distributed accordingly.
- Durable Power of Attorney Laws — A durable power of attorney gives an assigned individual the legal ability to make decisions regarding medical care, finances, and end-of-life care.
- Estate Taxes — Estate taxes in New Jersey are expensive. The state collects both an estate tax and an inheritance tax, in certain instances. When you work with an attorney, they can help you establish an estate plan that helps your surviving family members avoid or reduce those tax amounts.
Contact Van Dyck Law Group to Plan for Your Future
At Van Dyck Law Group, we understand how challenging it can be to prepare for the future. While there’s no way to predict the complete accuracy of what will happen, you can plan for likely scenarios. When you work with an estate planning attorney serving Bridgewater, you can rest assured that your loved ones will follow through with your wishes and protect your legacy.
It’s never too early to start planning your estate. The sooner you take action, the sooner you can have peace of mind that your future will be protected. Schedule your no-risk consultation appointment now when you call Van Dyck Law Group at (609) 293-2562 or contact us online.
