What to Do When You Inherit a Nonqualified Commercial Annuity
• As a beneficiary of a nonqualified annuity, you have options to choose from when an annuity is passed on to you. Clients who …
The New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and Does it Apply to NJ Hospitals?
Are New Jersey hospitals subject to the Consumer Fraud Act (CFA)? The answer is, no! Under the learned professional exception of New Jersey law, …
The New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and New Jersey Nursing Homes
The Admission Agreements for nursing homes under the NJ Consumer Fraud Act (CFA) has been analyzed by the courts. Ther New Jersey CFA prohibits: …
Here’s a Quick Summary of NJ Waiver Requirements Before the Transfer of a Decedent’s Property
The New Jersey Transfer Inheritance Tax is a lien on all property owned by a decedent as of the date of his/her death for …
New Jersey Offers Veterans a Number of Valuable Services
I came across a website sponsored by the state of New Jersey which is a terrific guide for available resources to veterans in New …
Is an IRA or 401(k) Exempt from a Spousal Elective Share Claim?
I’ve written a lot about the elective share rights of a surviving spouse when he or she is omitted from the will of his/her …
Hanlon, Niemann & Wright was so patient and helpful when I needed advice on Medicaid approval
I knew I picked the right firm when Mr. Niemann returned my call. He was helpful with any questions I had. It was a …
FDIC Changes Insurance Coverage of Trust Bank Accounts
Accounts titled in a trust may be insured by the FDIC for up to $1.25 million, rather than the current $250,000 limit on many …
Here’s an Overview of Medicare Health Insurance
Medicare is a federal program of health insurance. Medicare pays for acute illness but it is not a program designed to provide benefits for …
Just How Far Can a Guardian Go in Making Health Care Decisions?
Guardianship is an import tool for protecting incapacitated adults who are unable to care for themselves. One role of the guardian is to make …
How to Pursue Legal Claims in an Estate Administration
We recently received a call from a personal injury attorney in need of help. The attorney had pursued a wrongful death claim on behalf …
We will be glad to return to the firm if the need arises
We called with a sense of urgency due to Grandma’s health. The firm explained the logic and rational behind a Special Needs Trust for …
The Importance of Having a Premarital Agreement
A Premarital Agreement is a legal contract that outlines how a couple’s assets and debts will be divided in the event of divorce or …
Can You Still Win a Probate Case When the Original Will is Lost or Destroyed? Part 2 of a 2 Part Series
Proving That the Destruction of a Will Was Not Done by the Deceased In Part 1 of this blog, I discussed how to prove …
Can You Still Win a Probate Case When the Original Will is Lost or Destroyed? Part 1 of a 2 Part Series
In the case of a lost or destroyed will, “the burden of proof is upon the proponent” to show, with clear and convincing evidence,” …
Alzheimer’s Disease and Eligibility for Medicare Hospice Acceptance
Shout out to our friends at Affinity Hospice & Palliative Care for a very good post about being eligible for Medicare Hospice care in …
Are Evictions from Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes Now Permitted in NJ?
New Jersey’s Governor signed a new law on evictions during the COVID-19 emergency. For many of our clients whose family members live in long …
How Can a Trustee Close Out a Trust in NJ?
In New Jersey, it appears that there is a formal and an informal way to close out and finalize a trust. It is …
Is a Line of Credit Income Under NJ Medicaid Eligibility Standards?
A line of credit is not income for the purpose of Medicaid eligibility. Borrowed funds are specifically excluded from income for the purpose of …
A Refresher Blog About the NJ Prudent Investor Act
In a recent NJ case, a plaintiff claims the trial court erred by failing to find defendant violated The Prudent Investor Act (the Act) …
Understanding the Legal Rights of Same-Sex Spouses of Minor Children
Introduction What is the legal status of a non-birth spouse to a child(ren) born to their spouse during marriage? What happens if the birth …
Can You Receive Any Services and Benefits from Medicaid During a Penalty Period
Gifts made within 5 years of applying for Medicaid will result in a penalty to the applicant equal to the value of the gift(s) …
Guardianship and Civil Commitment
Almost every day, a family contacts my office with concerns about their loved ones’ mental health and has questions about New Jersey’s Civil Commitment …
Does a Life Estate Holder Who is Also an Owner of Real Estate Get Paid Twice Upon Sale?
Here’s an interesting case. A sister and two brothers are named as owners on a deed. Sister also has life rights to the property. …
Trustee Duties in Settling and Closing Out a Trust
In New Jersey, a trustee may close out and finalize a trust by filing an Action for the Settlement of Accounts with the Superior …
Medicaid Balanced Billing: A Medicaid Approved Provider Cannot Demand More Money Than Medicaid Pays
Balance billing by Medicaid providers is clearly prohibited by both state and federal law. Under 42 U.S.C. § 1396u-2: Each Medicaid managed care organization …
How the SECURE Act Changes Inherited IRA Planning
Federal tax laws which allowed retirement accounts to remain tax deferred by allowing certain beneficiaries to delay the withdrawal of account funds over their …
Are Beneficiaries Entitled to Economic Damages When a Trustee Breaches an Obligation(s) of the Trust
Under N.J.S.A. 3B:31-72(a), [a] trustee who commits a breach of trust is liable to the beneficiaries affected for the greater of: (1) the amount …
Can I Compel a Trustee to Make Distributions of Income During the Winding Up of a Trust?
The general answer is no, unless the trust agreements compels the trustee to make partial distributions during the winding up of the trust and …
Use of Self-Attestation
States may accept self-attestation of non-financial eligibility criteria for Medicaid, except as required by law or regulation (citizenship and immigration status, Asset Verification System). …