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Estate Planning for Nontraditional Families

Estate Planning for Nontraditional Families

Estate planning is an important and necessary step that every person should take. You need an estate plan to protect your assets and family’s needs in the event of your incapacity or death. When you work with our New Jersey estate planning lawyer, we will work with you to create an estate plan that works for your unique needs. If you already have a will or estate plan, keep in mind that you should periodically review all of your estate planning documents. Tax laws are constantly changing, and your family circumstances may change, too.

Our estate planning lawyers serve residents across North, Central, and South New Jersey, as well as the Philadelphia region. We have extensive estate planning experience in Camden, Mercer, and Burlington Counties, New Jersey. Our legal team can meet with you in our Moorestown or Browns Mills, New Jersey offices, or virtually, as needed. To discuss your specific NJ estate planning needs, give us a call today. You can also submit our online contact form to schedule a free phone consultation.

You need an estate plan to protect your family, regardless of your tax bracket.

The value of a New Jersey estate is no longer subject to a New Jersey estate tax. New Jersey does, however, still impose a transfer inheritance tax on transfers made to certain types of estate beneficiaries. An experienced New Jersey estate planning lawyer can help you craft a tax-effective estate plan that will provide maximum protection for your family.

An estate plan will protect one of your most important concerns: your children.

Not being there for your child is something no one wants to think about. However, if you have children, you have to plan ahead for the worst-case scenario. If you and your co-parent (be it a spouse or ex-spouse) were to die simultaneously, who would raise and provide for your children? A solid estate plan can ensure your minor children will be raised by the person(s) you choose, and that the guardian will have access to the money in your estate (savings, retirement funds, life insurance benefits, etc.) to care for your child or children. Our New Jersey and Pennsylvania estate planning lawyers can help you create a plan for your family that brings you and your family some peace of mind, knowing you have prepared for the unthinkable.

Are you in control of your healthcare decisions? Do you have a medical Power of Attorney? Do you have a Living Will?

You need an estate planning lawyers who will help you ensure your healthcare wishes are honored in the event that you are unable to communicate your own wishes. Our experienced estate planning lawyers at Posternock Apell, PC can prepare a document called an “Advanced Medical Directive for Health Care” or a “Living Will.”

A Living Will is a legally enforceable document that ensures that your wishes for end-of-life care are known to your family and medical providers, and that one or more persons are designated to carry out your wishes.​ A power of attorney typically includes handling financial matters and other “daily living” activities. Both documents carry importance because they ensure that your wishes are known and that there are designated persons you trust to carry out your wishes. By having these documents legally created before an event that leaves you unable to make legal decisions, you are not only ensuring your rights are protected, but you are providing a clear pathway for your loved ones to follow.

What kinds of estate planning services do we offer? How can we help you?

At Posternock Apell, PC our New Jersey estate planning lawyers offer a variety of estate planning services, including:

  • Wills and Estate Planning
  • Guardianship Appointments and Contests
  • Trusts including Special Needs Trusts
  • Living Wills (Advance Medical Directives)
  • review of Existing Estate Planning Documents
  • Will Contests
  • Power of Attorney documents
  • Business Succession Planning
  • Asset Protection Planning
  • Probate Litigation
  • Estate Administration
  • Medical Power of Attorney
  • Estate Planning for Nontraditional Families
  • Estate Tax

At Posternock Apell, PC, we can help you plan for the future and protect the things you love. What types of documents might you need in your estate plan?

  • Will: A will is a set of instructions for the distribution of your assets upon your death. You can protect your loved ones’ interests and help to ensure their financial security going forward. You can also ensure your family avoids interpersonal conflicts by establishing a clear plan for distributing tangible personal property and belongings, including family heirlooms. Additionally, if you own a family business, you should have a plan in place for succession of the business.
  • Guardianship or custody of minor children: Estate planning is especially important when you have a child. It’s important to name a guardian in your will to ensure your wises are honored and to avoid family feuds over the care of your children.
  • Trusts: Trusts are useful documents that can be used to help you protect your assets and specify the use of and management over such assets. A trust can also be established if you want part of your estate to be devoted to charitable giving. Our firm handles the creation of a variety of trusts,, including revocable and irrevocable living trusts, special needs and supplemental benefit trusts, and testamentary trusts.
  • Living wills, conservatorships and designation of power of attorney: You should protect your own interests in case your health deteriorates or you become incapacitated. There are different ways to structure a living will and different types of power of attorney. The scope of a power of attorney typically includes handling financial matters and other “daily living” activities. A living will sets forth healthcare directives concerning your end-of-life healthcare decisions. Both documents are important because they ensure that your wishes are known and that there is a designated person or persons you trust to carry out those wishes.
  • Estate planning for non-traditional families: Same-sex couples, couples with children from a previous marriage, and couples who are not married are subject to more complicated estate planning rules. Our experienced estate planning lawyers can assist you with crafting an effective estate plan that protects the interests of you and your loved ones.

Our highly informed estate planning lawyers are here to serve your needs.

At Posternock Apell, PC, our legal team has over 175 years of experience that informs how we serve our client’s needs. We offer personalized legal service to provide you with the accessibility and reasonable pricing that you deserve. If you are in need of an estate planning lawyer, contact us today. We will guide you through the estate planning process to reach your goals for setting your loved ones up for success. Call us at 856.242.8151 or fill out the contact form below.