Monthly Archives: May 2025
Which Board Hears Which Cases?
There are three types of boards: Planning Boards, Zoning Boards of Adjustment and Land Use Boards. Planning Boards handle applications involving permitted uses, site plans, and subdivisions. Zoning Boards of Adjustment, also known as Zoning Boards or Boards of Adjustment, hear any application requiring bulk or use variances that do not have a site… Read More »
Estate Planning in New Jersey for Unmarried Couples
Fewer adults are getting married than they used to, according to the Pew Research Center. While nearly 40 percent of adults are now living without a romantic partner altogether, there has also been an increase in the number of couples who cohabit and share lives without getting married. There are many different reasons that… Read More »
What is the Difference Between an Easement Appurtenant and Easement in Gross?
Whether you are buying or selling real property, or you are trying to obtain or grant an easement on real property, it is critical to understand the terminology around easements and land use in New Jersey. Sometimes easements can come as a surprise if you are purchasing property and did not realize that there… Read More »
Estate Planning for Blended Families
Blended families are extremely common in New Jersey. If you are newly in a blended family, or if you became part of a blended family some time ago, it is important to consider key issues for blended families in estate planning. Whether that means revisiting an old estate plan or creating new estate planning… Read More »
Reasons to Consider a Spendthrift Provision in a Trust
Many New Jersey estate plans contain one or more trusts. Trusts are important legal arrangements through which assets can be placed by one party (the “grantor” or the “trustor”) for the benefit of another party (the “beneficiary”). The trust is then managed by a party with the title of “trustee.” A trustee may in… Read More »
Who sits on the Zoning Board?
Generally, once the municipality adopts a zoning ordinance, it must also create a zoning board of adjustment. The zoning board of adjustment must consist of seven (7) regular members and no more than four (4) alternate members. The members of the zoning board are generally appointed by the mayor or governing body. Each regular… Read More »
Who Should Consider a Special Needs Trust?
Have you already created an estate plan in New Jersey and are wondering about the addition of one or more trusts? Or are you just beginning to think about estate planning and want to find out about creating a trust? Under either circumstance, you might have started looking into the types of trusts that… Read More »
What Are Charitable Remainder Trusts?
For many Summit, New Jersey residents, establishing a trust is an important part of estate planning. While estate plans have various components that almost always include a will and advance directives, numerous estate plans also include one or more trusts. Depending on an individual’s circumstances, a trust can be necessary to provide for a… Read More »
Why All Single Parents Need an Estate Plan
For single parents in Summit who have minor children, it is especially important to have an estate plan in place so that you can have the certainty that your kids will have the care and support they need in the event that you are not here to provide it. There are different ways in… Read More »
Inheritance and Estate Taxes: What to Know for Estate Planning
If you have a high net worth estate, it is essential to discuss inheritance and estate taxes with your estate planning lawyer in Summit. New Jersey has a state inheritance tax, and a federal estate tax may apply, depending on the value of your estate. Some people and entities are exempt from the inheritance… Read More »