What is a Testamentary Trust in a Will

  E598

What is a Testamentary Trust in a Will

The Testamentary Trust in a Will is recommended when you have minor children, or children that cant handle money.

A testamentary trust is a Trust set up inside your  Will 

A regular trust is funded during your lifetime with your assets.

 

A Testamentary Trust in a Will is not funded until you pass away.

 

 

A regular trust costs between $2,500- $4,000 to set up.

 

A Testamentary Trust in a Will is costs approx $500.

 

A testamentary trust in a Will (sometimes referred to as a will trust or trust under will) is a trust which arises upon the death of the testator, and which is specified in his or her will.

Testamentary trusts are distinguished from inter vivos trusts, which are created during the settlor's lifetime.

There are four parties involved in a testamentary trust:

·       the person who specifies that the trust be created, usually as a part of his or her will, but it may be set up in abeyance during the person's lifetime. This person may be called the grantor or trustor, but is usually referred to as the settlor;

·       the trustee, whose duty is to carry out the terms of the will. He or she may be named in the will, or may be appointed by the probate court that handles the will;

·       the beneficiary(s), who will receive the benefits of the trust;

·       Although not a party to the trust itself, the probate court is a necessary component of the trust's activity. It oversees the trustee's handling of the trust.

         A testamentary trust is a legal arrangement created as specified in a person's will, and is occasioned by the death of that person. It is created to address any estate accumulated during that person's lifetime or generated as a result of a postmortem lawsuit, such as a settlement in a survival claim, or the proceeds from a life insurance policy held on the settlor. A trust can be created to oversee such assets. A trustee is appointed to direct the trust until a set time when the trust expires, such as when minor beneficiaries reach a specified age or accomplish a deed such as completing a set educational goal or achieving a specified matrimonial status.

         For a testamentary trust, as the settlor is deceased, he or she will generally not have any influence over the trustee's exercise of discretion, although in some jurisdictions it is common for the testator to leave a letter of wishes for the trustee. In practical terms testamentary trusts tend to be driven more by the needs of the beneficiaries (particularly infant beneficiaries) than by tax considerations, which are the usual considerations in inter vivos trusts.

Source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testamentary_trust

 

Using a Spendthrift Trust in a Will for children with substance abuse issues

A spendthrift trust in a Will is one of the best options when estate planning for addicts. There are several forms of this trust a parent can consider, and each has pros and cons. At its most basic, the spendthrift trust enables a parent to put spending authority in the hands of a trustee, or a trusted person who will control the reckless spending of the child. This can prevent them from wasting funds and can prevent them from using funds to purchase drugs.

Spendthrift clauses in trusts are also valuable because a parent can use them to provide necessary funds such as food, clothing, cab fare and shelter to the beneficiary, without allowing them to spend anything else. This enables a parent to offer support, even after a parent are deceased.

Finally, spendthrift clauses typically protect the funds in the estate from creditors. So long as the funds are in the trust, creditors cannot reach them. This is ideal in instances where the child may have to declare bankruptcy due to poor financial decisions while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, has a large amount of debt, or is likely to accrue a large amount of debt. However, once funds are taken out of the trust, they can be garnished by creditors. Creditors include child support, alimony, taxes, Medicaid.

In some cases, a parent may be able to set up a discretionary spendthrift supplementary needs trust, which enables the child to qualify for needs-based government benefits (SSI, Medicaid, housing, SNAP, etc.), while offering the other benefits of the trust.

The best way to set this up is to create a Testamentary Discretionary Trust with a spendthrift clause, which will come into effect after a parent are deceased. Then, the funds will be moved into trust and spending will be controlled by the trustee for the benefit of the child (the beneficiary). Source https://beginningstreatment.com/estate-planning-for-addicts/

N.J.S.A. 3B:31-38 Discretionary Trusts

N.J.S.A. 3B:31-68 Discretionary Powers

Originally drafted by one of NJ’s top attorneys Glenn A. Henkel, also a past great Wrestler at St. Thomas Bishop Ahr High School Edison with Ken V on wrestling team

Woodbridge Library Wills, Estate Planning & Probate Seminar June 15,

 Woodbridge Library

Wills, Estate Planning & Probate Seminar

  June 15, 2020 at 7pm Monday Live on Zoom

WILLS & ESTATE ADMINISTRATION-PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND MAKE PLANNING EASY Free program open to the public, you do not need to be a Township resident to attend. 

SPEAKER: Kenneth Vercammen, Esq. Edison, NJ (Author- Wills and Estate Administration by the ABA)

Main Topics:

1. NJ Estate Tax eliminated

2. The 2020 changes in Federal Estate and Gift Tax 

3. Power of Attorneys recommendations 

4. Living Will & Advance Directive 

5. Administering the Estate/ Probate/Surrogate

6. Avoiding unnecessary expenses and saving your family money

COMPLIMENTARY MATERIAL: Brochures on Wills, "Answers to Questions about Probate" and Administration of an Estate, Power of Attorney, Living Wills, Real Estate Sales for Seniors, and Trusts.

     Contact the Library for details on how to watch on your computer or IPad for free using Zoom

Woodbridge Public Library

1 George Frederick Plaza

Woodbridge NJ 07095 

732-634-4450

https://www.facebook.com/events/2606052349623609

Can’t attend?  We can email you materials Send email to VercammenLaw@Njlaws.com

  Free Will Seminars and Speakers Bureau for Groups

SPEAKERS BUREAU

         At the request of senior citizen groups, unions, and Middlesex County companies and organizations, the " Speakers Bureau " is a service designed to educate citizens about how laws affect their lives and how the judicial system operates.  We have attorneys available to speak to businesspersons, educational, civic and social organizations on a wide range of topics during business hours. If your organization in Central NJ would like to schedule a Will & Estates seminar, call Kenneth Vercammen’s Law Office at 732-572-0500 or email Vercammenlaw@njlaws.com

     10 years ago the AARP Network Attorneys of the Edison/Metuchen/Woodbridge area several years ago established a community Speakers Bureau to provide educational programs to AARP and senior clubs, Unions and Middlesex County companies. Now, Ken Vercammen, Esq. and volunteer attorneys of the Middlesex County Estate Planning Council have provided Legal Rights Seminars to hundreds of seniors, business owners and their employees, unions, clubs and non-profit groups 

Details on free programs available

     These quality daytime educational programs will educate and even entertain. Clubs and companies are invited to schedule a free seminar. The following Seminars are now available: 

1. WILLS & ESTATE ADMINISTRATION-PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND 

MAKE PLANNING EASY 

2. POWER OF ATTORNEY to permit family to pay your bills if you are temporarily disabled and permit doctors to talk with family 

       All instructors are licensed attorneys who have been in practice at least 25 years. All instructors are members of the American Bar Association, New Jersey 

State Bar Association, and Middlesex County Bar Association. All programs include free written materials. 

       You don't have to be wealthy or near death to do some thinking about a Will. Here is your opportunity to listen to an experienced attorney who will discuss how to distribute your property as you wish and avoid many rigid provisions of state law. 

      Topics discussed include: Who needs a Will?; What if you die without a Will (intestacy)?; Mechanics of a Will; "Living Will"; Powers of Attorney; Selecting an executor, trustee, and guardian; Proper Will execution; Inheritance Taxes, Estate Taxes $14,000 annual gift tax exclusion,  Bequests to charity, Why you need a "Self-Proving" Will and Estate Administration/ Probate.

       Sample materials: Hand-outs on Wills, Living Wills/Medical Advance Directive, Power of Attorney, Probate and Administration of an Estate, Real Estate, Working with your Attorney, Consumers Guide to New Jersey Laws, and Senior Citizen Rights. 

SPEAKERS BUREAU 

At the request of senior citizen groups, unions, and Middlesex County companies and organizations, the " Speakers Bureau " is a service designed to educate citizens about how laws affect their lives and how the judicial system operates. We have attorneys available to speak to businesspersons, educational, civic and social organizations on a wide range of topics during business hours.

In today's complex world, few people can function successfully and safely without competent legal advice. In order to insure your estate plans are legally set up, you need to know exactly where you stand so that you can avoid possibly catastrophic mistakes impacting both you and your family. 

About the speaker: Kenneth A. Vercammen is a trial attorney in Edison, NJ. We is the author of the American Bar Association’s book “Wills and Estate Administration”

He is co-chair of the ABA Probate & Estate Planning Law Committee of the American Bar Association Solo Small Firm Division.  He is a speaker for the NJ State Bar Association at the annual Nuts & Bolts of Elder Law & Estate Administration program. 

He was Editor of the ABA Estate Planning Probate Committee Newsletter. Mr. Vercammen has published over 150 legal articles in national and New Jersey publications on litigation, elder law, probate and trial topics. He is a highly regarded lecturer on litigation and probate law for the American Bar Association, NJ ICLE, New Jersey State Bar Association and Middlesex County Bar Association. His articles have been published in noted publications included New Jersey Law Journal, ABA Law Practice Management Magazine, and New Jersey Lawyer. He established the NJlaws website www.njlaws.comwhich includes many articles on Estate Planning, Probate and Wills. He is a member of the AARP and often lectures to groups on the importance of an up to date Will, Power of Attorney and Living Will.

 KENNETH VERCAMMEN & ASSOCIATES, PC

ATTORNEY AT LAW

2053 Woodbridge Ave.

Edison, NJ 08817

(Phone) 732-572-0500

 (Fax)    732-572-0030

www.njlaws.com 

 

Will preparation online without having to travel to law office and follow up consults over phone & online.

Kenneth Vercammen’s Law Office new Will preparation online without having to travel to law office and follow up consults over phone & online. 

   To assist potential clients and seniors we now offer document preparation remotely and consults. We are concerned about your health and well being.
1. For Wills, Power of Attorney, Living Wills, please email Vercammenlaw@njlaws.com. We will email the interview form.

2. Type response/ Fill in details., email completed Will Questionnaire back. For Wills Please type up & fill out completely and email to vercammenlaw@njlaws.com.  Typing name and details is required. Save as word doc or text, not pdf. This form is extremely important. Your accuracy and completeness in responding will help us best help you. All sections and information must be filled out prior to discussing with the attorney. Cannot be handwritten since we cannot cut and paste into the forms.

3. Ken V will call to discuss after typed interview form received.

4. After persons pay by credit card online or payment confirmed from PayPal, we will draft documents and email to you.
5. Ken V will call to answer further questions
6. Sign documents in front of notary and two witnesses [ spouse ok as witness]. Signing instructions provided. UPS stores continue to be open and have notaries. 

    Stay safe but still get your important documents done. We strongly recommend all adults have a Power of Attorney prepared in the event they are temporarily incapacitated or hospitalized. We do require interview forms be completed in full and emailed back so we can provide accurate advice. The doctor’s office similarly has patients fill out details prior to the consult. We also recommend signing a Living Will with COMBINED ADVANCE DIRECTIVE FOR HEALTH CARE. The Living Will contains a Power of Attorney for Health Care & Medical Decisions. In signing your Living Will, you will designate an individual you trust to act as your legally recognized health care representative to make health care decisions for you in the event you are unable to make decisions for yourself.

North Brunswick Public LibrarySeminar: Remove & Expungement of Criminal Arrests and Convictions –Free Seminar

North Brunswick Public LibrarySeminar: Remove & Expungement of Criminal Arrests and Convictions –Free Seminar    

March 10at 7pm-8pm

North Brunswick Public Library

880 Hermann Rd.

North Brunswick, NJ 08902

732-246-3545

https://northbrunswicklibrary.org/all-events

https://www.facebook.com/events/177339416919832/             COST: Free if you pre-register.Complimentary materials provided.   Please bring a canned food donation, which will be given to an Edison Bank. Please email us if you plan on attending or if you would like us to email the materials.

SPEAKERS: Kenneth Vercammen, Esq. & Allan Marain, Esq.          (Ken V Author- Criminal Law Forms by the American Bar Association and Defending DWI and Drug Cases NJ State Bar)         

(Allan Marainis a trustee, and chairs the Expungement Committee of the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey.  He is also a past chair of New Jersey Bar Criminal Law Section."

    The February expungement seminar    The NJ statute on expungement was revised in a law signed 12/18/19.  If someone has been arrested or even had a private criminal complaint signed against them in the Municipal Court, they have a criminal record, even if the charges were dismissed or received a Conditional Discharge. Under NJ Law past criminal arrests and convictions can be expunged/ erased easier under certain instances. This program will discuss the expungement process. Allan Marain is past chair of Criminal Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association. Ken V served as a Municipal Prosecutor and was amazed how minor criminal guilty pleas and even dismissed charges can affect someone’s ability to get a job or advance a career. Do you have children or someone you know or work with that needs an expungement?

https://www.facebook.com/events/2585351315056303

Can’t attend?  We can email you materials

Send email to VercammenLaw@Njlaws.com

       More info: For more serious charges The Petition for expungement is filed in the Superior Court. It takes a minimum of three months for the court to grant the expungement. The requirements are very formal. There can be a waiting period between 6 months up to 10 years after the criminal case is finished. For someone who had a drug charge, they can hire an attorney apply for Expungement 6 months after the Conditional Discharge is complete. The statute requires detailed notices served by the attorney on the State Police, Attorney General and numerous other government entities.

         Typical Court costs and Legal fees for expungement range from $1,500-$2,500.

Kenneth Vercammenis an Edison, Middlesex County, NJ trial attorney where he  handles Criminal, Municipal Court, Probate, Civil Litigation and Estate Administration matters. Ken is author of the American Bar Association's new book “Criminal Law Forms” and often lectures to trial lawyers of the American Bar Association, NJ State Bar Association and Middlesex County Bar Association.  As the Past Chair of  the Municipal Court Section he has served on its board for 10 years.  

Awarded the Municipal Court Attorney of the Year by both the NJSBA and Middlesex County Bar Association, he also received the NJSBA- YLD Service to the Bar Award and the General Practitioner Attorney of the Year, now Solo Attorney of the Year.

Ken Vercammen is a highly regarded lecturer on both Municipal Court/ DWI and Estate/ Probate Law issues for the NJICLE- New Jersey State Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Middlesex County Bar Association. His articles have been published by NJ Law Journal, ABA Law Practice Management Magazine, YLD Dictum, GP Gazette and New Jersey Lawyer magazine.  He was a speaker at the 2013 ABA Annual meeting program “Handling the Criminal Misdemeanor and Traffic Case” and serves as is the Editor in Chief of the NJ Municipal Court Law Review. 

         For nine years he served as the Cranbury Township Prosecutor and also was a Special Acting Prosecutor in nine different towns. Ken has successfully handled over one thousand Municipal Court and Superior Court matters in the past 27 years. 

His private practice has devoted a substantial portion of professional time to the preparation and trial of litigated matters. Appearing in Courts throughout New Jersey several times each week on Criminal and Municipal Court trials, civil and contested Probate hearings.  Ken also serves as the Editor of the popular legal website and related blogs. In Law School he was a member of the Law Review, winner of the ATLA trial competition and top ten in class.

         Throughout his career he has served the NJSBA in many leadership and volunteer positions. Ken has testified for the NJSBA before the Senate Judiciary Committee to support changes in the DWI law to permit restricted use driver license and interlock legislation. Ken also testified before the Assembly Judiciary Committee in favor of the first-time criminal offender “Conditional Dismissal” legislation that permits dismissal of some criminal charges. He is the voice of the Solo and Small firm attorneys who juggle active court practice with bar and community activities. In his private life he has been a member of the NJ State champion Raritan Valley Road Runners master’s team and is a 4^thdegree black belt. 

KENNETH VERCAMMEN

ATTORNEY AT LAW

2053 Woodbridge Ave.

Edison, NJ 08817

(Phone) 732-572-0500

VOLUNTEER INTERN WANTED – Asst Editor of NJ State Bar & ABA Books & Newsletters & Marketing Projects

 VOLUNTEER INTERN WANTED – Asst Editor of NJ State Bar & ABA Books & Newsletters & Marketing Projects

       We are assisting the NJ Bar Association & ABA re-write three well received books which help new & young lawyers and lawyers in transitional practice [ex- lost job in recession or law firm closed. We need a volunteer to help editor and do research on the books.

ABA Books to be updated:

“Wills and Estate Administration” American Bar Association2015 90% of the net profits go to the ABA and ABE American Bar Endowment

“Criminal Law Forms” American Bar Association 2013  500+ pages

“Smart Marketing For the Small Firm Lawyer” American Bar Association 2014  156 pages plus 700 pages on CD

       You do not have to be a current student but must be able to be in Edison, NJ a minimum of ten hours per week.

  You will be included in the book’s Forward for recognition of your work and will have a valuable addition to your resume.

    Mail or fax cover letter and resume. Do not email.

Kenneth Vercammen Esq. Author

 2053 Woodbridge Ave.

Edison, NJ 08817       

PHONE  732-572-0500           

(Fax)  732-572-0030

            

      Other possible Duties 

-Update all chapters of prior books

- Review and Revise Legal and Consumer Law Articles for Grammar and Punctuation

- Work as Assistant Editor of the New Jersey Municipal Court Law Review, which is distributed, for free to area Police, Judges, Prosecutors and other New Jersey professionals

- Prepare Correspondence to websites and New Jersey Media with Revised Articles

- Provide copies of published articles to 

- Assist in Marketing projects

- Type Rough Draft Articles 

- Gain some legal and publication experience 

- Part-time volunteer, 10 hours per week required 

- Fall and Spring Semesters available  

         This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience as a volunteer intern and learn. Build your resume and obtain marketable skills. Volunteers will be also invited to attend our NJ public events plus meet and network with the participants. Volunteers may also attend the ABA New York City meeting of the ABA Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Committee in May, 2019. Participants also may attend the summerThe Annual Summer Networking Happy Hour is July 12, 2019 at Bar Anticipation 

              Editor  Kenneth A. Vercammen, Esq.

       Author of  125 Legal Articles  

Fall & Spring interns are required to work between 10-21 hours per week between Monday and Friday, time and days to be selected by the student. Participants must adhere to days and hours selected and make up missed days. The legal interns must work a minimum of 12 weeks.  Longer hours or weeks permitted. [Summer internship is minimum 18 hours per week, 12 weeks- college graduates and Law students only]  Interested students must mail or fax a cover letter and resume.

        For additional information on the Law Office, please visit the website at www.njlaws.com.   This office is committed to excellence and service to clients and the community. Applicants must  have attention to detail. Additional information on internship at http://www.njlaws.com/intern.html

ABA’s book “Wills and Estate Administration” 

   By Kenneth Vercammen, Esq.

Straightforward and to-the-point, Wills and Estate Administration provides step-by-step guidance that firms can use to handle all aspects of an estates practice, from initial client intake to closing the file. Topics are defined in six parts for ease of use:

   Preparation for Wills/Estate Planning Interviews

   Interviewing Clients

   Additional Estate Planning Issues

   Estate Administration

   Guardianship of Disabled or Incompetent Parents

   Marketing Your Wills and Estate Administration Practice

    Making this an essential resource for solo and small firm practitioners, the author includes numerous forms for each topic, and they are also available for download online. The book is basic and written to help new and transitional attorneys. In addition, tips on practice management will help seasoned attorneys.

Author:Kenneth A VercammenEdison, NJ

Sponsor:Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division

Publisher:American Bar Association  ABA Book Publishing

   List Price: $79.95


ABA Price:$69.95

ISBN: 978-1-63425-380-2

Product Code: 5150484

2015, 290 pages, 7 x 10, Paperback

http://shop.americanbar.org/eBus/Store/ProductDetails.aspx?productId=224827061

American Bar Association  Service Hotline
 800-285-2221
312-988-5000


  Sample chapter available http://shop.americanbar.org

"Have just finished Ken Vercammen's excellent book on Wills, Estate Administration, and Guardianship. It is a very practical book that examines the business of an estate and trust practice. This step-by-step analysis is complete with forms and helps even the seasoned practitioner streamline his practice."

-Thomas D. Begley, Jr., Esq., Begley Law Office, NJ

About the Author: Kenneth A. Vercammen is a trial attorney in Edison, NJ. He is co-chair of the ABA Probate & Estate Planning Law Committee of the American Bar Association Solo Small Firm Division.  The is the author of the ABA book “Wills and Estate Administration, available at http://shop.americanbar.org/.”

He is a speaker for the NJ State Bar Association at the annual Nuts & Bolts of Elder Law & Estate Administration program.  

He was Editor of the ABA Estate Planning Probate Committee Newsletter. Mr. Vercammen has published over 150 legal articles in national and New Jersey publications on Wills, litigation, estates, probate law and trial topics. He is a highly regarded lecturer on litigation and probate law for the American Bar Association, NJ ICLE, New Jersey State Bar Association and Middlesex County Bar Association. His articles have been published in noted publications included New Jersey Law Journal, ABA Law Practice Management Magazine, and New Jersey Lawyer. He established the NJlaws website www.njlaws.comwhich includes many articles on Estate Planning, Probate and Wills.

KENNETH  VERCAMMEN & ASSOCIATES, PC

ATTORNEY AT LAW

2053 Woodbridge Ave.

Edison, NJ 08817

(Phone) 732-572-0500

 (Fax)    732-572-0030

www.njlaws.com 

http://www.njwillsprobatelaw.com

Table of Contents ABA’s book “Wills and Estate Administration” 

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi

PART 1

Preparation for Wills/Estate Planning Interviews . . . . . . . . . . 1

Handling Telephone Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Initial Responses to Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Calls from New Clients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Subject Matter of Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Reminder Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Telephone Consultations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Rejected Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Referrals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Estate Planning Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Exhibit 1-1: Will Appointment Cover Letter . . . . . . . . . . 7

Exhibit 1-2: Estate Planning Appointment Cover

Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Exhibit 1-3: New Client Cover Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Exhibit 1-4: New Client Questionnaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Exhibit 1-5: Confidential Will Questionnaire . . . . . . . . 14

Exhibit 1-6: Estate Planning Questionnaire . . . . . . . . . . 21

Exhibit 1-7: Power of Attorney Questionnaire . . . . . . . 26

Exhibit 1-8: Will Estate Planning Consult Bill . . . . . . . 29

Exhibit 1-9: Agreement to Provide Estate Planning

Legal Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

PART 2

Interviewing Clients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Initial Appointments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Wills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Importance of Wills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Will Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Will Clauses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

IV Wills and Estate Administration

Preparing Drafts of Estate Planning Documents . . . . . . . . . 40

Guardianship of Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Need for Periodic Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Cost Reductions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Revisions in Wills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Children from Prior Marriages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Separated or Divorced Persons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Gay and Lesbian Clients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Referring Cases Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Explaining Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Will Preparation Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Power of Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Importance of Power of Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Gift-Giving Clause . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Going into Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Living Wills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Statute Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Health Care Representative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Advance Directives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Organ Donor Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Estate Planning for Alzheimer’s Patients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

The Missing Client—Be Wary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Tax Matters and Credit Shelter Trust Preparations . . . . . . . . . . . 64

What Is a Credit Shelter Trust? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

State Estate Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Document Signings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Wills Signings Outside Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Follow-up after Signing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Newsletter to Clients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Referrals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Uniform Probate Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Exhibit 2-1: Will—Husband to Wife with Trust for

Minor Children and Guardians Selection . . . . . . . . 83

Exhibit 2-2: Will—Widow/Widower Spouse with

Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Exhibit 2-3: Will—Unmarried Couple with No

Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Exhibit 2-4: Will—Basic to Spouse and Children

with No Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Contents v

Exhibit 2-5: Will—Unified Credit Trust to Reduce

Estate Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Exhibit 2-6: Will Revision Services Bill . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Exhibit 2-7: Codicil to Will . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Exhibit 2-8: Will Services Bill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Exhibit 2-9: General Durable Power of Attorney

Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Exhibit 2-10: Revocation of Previous Wills and

Powers of Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Exhibit 2-11: Living Will and Durable Power of

Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Exhibit 2-12: Power of Attorney Taking Effect . . . . . 119

Exhibit 2-13: Will Draft Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Exhibit 2-14: Will Signings Outside Office . . . . . . . . . 123

Exhibit 2-15: Post-Will Signing Letter to Clients . . . . 125

Exhibit 2-16: Client End-of-Case Questionnaire . . . . 128

Exhibit 2-17: Brochure Request Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Exhibit 2-18: Referral Thank You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

PART 3

Additional Estate Planning Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Preparation of Letters of Instruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Content of Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Confidentiality of Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment . . . . . . . 138

Patient Information Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Prenuptial Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Problems of Probate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Revocable Living Trusts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Transferring Property into the Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Irrevocable Trusts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

Marital Tax Deductions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

Special Needs Trusts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

Qualified Terminable Interest Property Trust . . . . . . . . . . . 148

Medicaid Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

Impact of Divorce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

Medicaid Spend-Down and the Mentally Incompetent . . 151

Long-Term Care Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

Questions to Ask about Long-Term Coverage . . . . . . . . . 152

VI Wills and Estate Administration

Signing House Over to Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Providing for Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Unexpected Illness/Disability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

Exhibit 3-1: Letter of Last Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

Exhibit 3-2: Confidentiality of Files/Requests for

Copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

Exhibit 3-3: Acknowledgment of Receipt of

Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164

Exhibit 3-4: HIPAA Authorization to Disclose

Patient Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

Exhibit 3-5: Irrevocable Trust [Wife to Husband] . . . 167

PART 4

Estate Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

Filing a Probate Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180

Qualifying the Executor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

Probate Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

Inheritance Renunciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

Assets That Do Not Pass under a Will . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

Tax Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Finalizing the Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Testamentary Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

Consulting Fees for Probate Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Intestacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

Elective Share of Spouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

Undue Influence Challenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

Caveat to Will . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

Removing an Executor of an Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

Complaint for Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

Executor’s Commissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

Unsold Real Estate and Other Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

Exhibit 4-1: Condolence/Will Revision Letter . . . . . . 202

Exhibit 4-2: Probate/Inheritance/Estate

Administration Questionnaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203

Exhibit 4-3: Retainer Cover Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209

Exhibit 4-4: Agreement to Provide Probate Legal

Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210

Exhibit 4-5: Executor Duties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214

Contents vii

Exhibit 4-6: Notice of Probate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218

Exhibit 4-7: Certificate of Mailing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221

Exhibit 4-8: Transfer Inheritance Tax Bureau

Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222

Exhibit 4-9: Release and Refunding Bond

Letter/Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223

Exhibit 4-10: Real Estate Waiver Filing . . . . . . . . . . . . 228

Exhibit 4-11: Agreement to Provide Legal

Services—Probate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229

Exhibit 4-12: Will/Estate Consultation Bill . . . . . . . . . 231

Exhibit 4-13: Renunciation for Administration . . . . . . 232

Exhibit 4-14: Complaint to Remove Executor,

Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233

Exhibit 4-15: Complaint to Replace Executor . . . . . . 245

PART 5

Guardianship of Disabled or Incompetent Parents . . . . . . . 249

Exhibit 5-1: Guardianship Interview Form . . . . . . . . . 252

Exhibit 5-2: Guardianship Legal Services Fees . . . . . 257

Exhibit 5-3: Complaint for Guardianship . . . . . . . . . . 260

Exhibit 5-4: Affidavit of Next of Kin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261

Exhibit 5-5: Letters to Doctors to Be Delivered

by Client . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262

Exhibit 5-6: Affidavit of Doctor 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263

PART 6

Marketing Your Wills and Estate Administration

Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265

Seminars Sponsored by Community Organizations . . . . . . . . 265

Hosting Seminars in Your Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265

Seminar Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266

Seminar Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266

American Association of Retired Persons Membership . . . . . 267

Happy Hour Networking with Professionals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267

Marketing via Websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268

Setting up a Blog on Wills and Probate for Free . . . . . . . . 268

Gift Certificates for Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269

Maintaining Client Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270

viii Wills and Estate Administration

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270

Exhibit 6-1: Sample Letter to Senior Groups . . . . . . . 271

Exhibit 6-2: Confirm Will Seminar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273

Exhibit 6-3: Sample Flyer for Will Seminar . . . . . . . . 275

Exhibit 6-4: Items to Bring to Wills and Elder Law

Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276

Exhibit 6-5: Law Office Seminar Promotional

Flyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277

Exhibit 6-6: Wills and Estate Administration

Seminar Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278

About the Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279