Estate Planning Attorney in Elizabeth, New Jersey

A will is the foundation of most estate plans. Your will directs how your property is distributed after your death, names an executor to manage the process, and — critically for parents of minor children — designates a guardian. In New Jersey, a will must be signed by the testator and witnessed by at least two individuals. I prepare wills that are clear, legally sound, and designed to minimize the potential for disputes among your beneficiaries.

A revocable living trust allows you to transfer assets into a trust during your lifetime while retaining full control over them. When you pass away, the assets in the trust transfer to your beneficiaries without going through probate, which saves time, reduces costs, and keeps the details of your estate private. Trusts are particularly valuable for individuals who own real property in multiple states, want to provide for a surviving spouse while ultimately directing assets to children, or simply want to spare their family the burden of the probate process.

A durable power of attorney appoints someone you trust to manage your financial affairs if you become unable to do so. This includes paying bills, managing investments, filing tax returns, and handling real estate transactions. Without a power of attorney, your family may need to petition a court for guardianship — an expensive, time-consuming, and public process — just to access your accounts and pay your bills. I draft powers of attorney that are comprehensive, specific, and compliant with New Jersey law.

An advance directive — sometimes called a living will — documents your wishes regarding medical treatment if you are unable to communicate. A healthcare proxy designates someone to make medical decisions on your behalf. These documents work together to ensure that your values and preferences guide your care.

This is where my dual background as an attorney and registered nurse makes a meaningful difference. Having worked in emergency departments at Level I trauma centers, I have seen firsthand what happens when families face critical medical decisions without clear guidance. I understand the clinical terminology, the treatment options, and the real-world scenarios that make these documents so important. I help my clients think through situations that most estate planning attorneys simply don’t have the medical knowledge to address — mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition, palliative care, organ donation, and other decisions that are profoundly personal and deserve careful, informed planning.

Your will and trust only govern assets that are titled in your name or your trust’s name. Assets with beneficiary designations — life insurance policies, retirement accounts, payable-on-death bank accounts — pass directly to the named beneficiary regardless of what your will says. I review your full financial picture to make sure your beneficiary designations are consistent with your overall estate plan, because a single outdated designation can unintentionally disinherit a spouse or child.