Estate Planning for Westfield Families
You moved to Westfield for the schools, the town, and the life you're building for your kids. An estate plan protects all of it. I'm Shlomo Himmel — estate planning attorney and former ER nurse, 15 minutes down the road. Most of my Westfield clients complete their entire plan from home: video planning sessions in the evening, documents signed in person, everything done in two to three weeks for one flat fee.
Why Westfield Families Can't Afford to "Get to It Later."
Here's the uncomfortable math for a typical Westfield household: a home that's appreciated dramatically, retirement accounts, life insurance through work, and two careers — often a larger estate than you realize you have. Without a plan, all of it goes through New Jersey probate, on the court's timeline, in the public record.
Who Raises Your Children
This is the single most important document a Westfield parent can sign. Without a written guardianship designation, the decision goes to a courtroom — and people you'd never have chosen can apply.
Keeping Your Home Out of Probate
For many Westfield families, the house is the estate. A revocable living trust passes it to your children privately, without months of court process — and without your estate being inventoried in public filings.
New Jersey's Inheritance Tax
Most people don't know New Jersey still has an inheritance tax. Your spouse, children, and grandchildren are exempt — but anything left to siblings, nieces and nephews, or friends is taxed at 11–16%. That needs to be planned around, not discovered later.
Everything Your Family Needs. One Complete Plan.
Wills & Living Trusts
Decide exactly who inherits what — and keep your family out of probate court. A trust also keeps everything private and avoids months of delay.
Powers of Attorney
Name someone you trust to manage finances and legal decisions if you ever can't. Without this, your family has to go to court for permission.
Healthcare Directives
Healthcare proxies, living wills, and advance directives — drafted by an attorney who's used them clinically in emergency departments.
Guardianship Designations
Name who raises your children if something happens to you. Without a written designation, a judge decides — and your wishes aren't part of the record.
Built by Someone Who's Seen When These Documents Get Used.
When I draft your healthcare directive, I'm not guessing what incapacity looks like — I've stood at the bedside in Level I trauma centers as a registered nurse. Every document in your plan is written by one attorney who has seen exactly when, and how, it matters. No handoffs, no hourly billing, no surprises.
Three Simple Steps for Westfield Clients.
Free Planning Call
Thirty minutes, by phone or video. I learn about your family and goals. You leave with a clear flat-fee quote — before anything begins.
Plan Design Session
By video, evenings available. We decide will vs. trust, name your people, and I draft everything for your review.
Signing & Done
At my office — 15 minutes from downtown Westfield — or at your home. Your wishes are on paper and your family is protected.
A Plan Now Costs a Fraction of No Plan Later.
Every estate plan comes with a clear, flat fee — quoted on your free planning call, before anything begins. No hourly billing, no surprises. Here's how the numbers compare for a Westfield family.
✗ Without a Plan
- The court decides who raises your kids
- Your home and accounts sit frozen in probate for months
- Your estate becomes a public court record
- Your family pays thousands in avoidable fees and taxes
- Loved ones are left guessing your wishes
✓ With a Plan
- You choose who raises your children
- Your home transfers privately — no probate
- Your affairs stay your family's business
- One flat fee, quoted upfront, and it's done
- Your wishes are crystal clear and legally binding
Curious What Probate Would Actually Cost Your Family?
Run your numbers through the free NJ Probate Cost Calculator — two minutes, real figures for an estate like yours.
Good Questions. Clear Answers.
Do we need a trust, or is a will enough?
It depends on what you own and what you want to happen. For many Westfield homeowners, the value of the home alone makes a trust worth discussing — it keeps the house out of probate entirely. We'll walk through both options with real numbers on your planning call, and I'll tell you honestly if a simple will package is all you need.
We did wills when our first child was born — are we covered?
Maybe. If you've since had another child, moved, changed jobs, or your home has appreciated significantly, your plan needs a review. I review existing plans as part of the free planning call.
Do you come to Westfield?
Yes — signings can happen at your home, and planning sessions are typically by video. You never need to take a day off work for this.
What about our life insurance and 401(k)s?
Those pass by beneficiary designation, not by your will — and outdated designations are one of the most common (and most painful) estate planning mistakes I see. Reviewing them is part of every plan I prepare.
Ready to Check This Off the List?
One conversation. A clear flat fee. Done in two to three weeks.
The Himmel Law Firm • Serving Westfield, Union County & All of New Jersey • Virtual Sessions Available