Insights Articles

Picture this: Your aunt from New York passes away, leaving you her cottage in Vermont. As her heir, you’re eager to claim ownership and cherish the memories associated with your aunt’s cottage. However, you soon realize that merely inheriting it isn’t as straightforward as you thought. This is where ancillary probate comes into play.  When…

What is Probate? Imagine this: someone close to you passes away. Their belongings and savings need a new home. This means that probate will be required in order for those assets to be administered. Probate is the legal process that determines who inherits these assets by validating your loved one’s will. At The Chamberlain Law…

Imagine this: You’ve inherited a beloved family member’s estate, brimming with memories and assets. As you navigate the legalities, you stumble upon a critical requirement—an Employer Identification Number (EIN). This unique identifier, akin to a social security number for the estate, is your gateway to fulfilling IRS obligations and managing the estate’s affairs smoothly. An…

On top of the emotional grief of losing a loved one, there’s often the hassle of sorting out their finances. This is where probate comes in. Probate is like a scavenger hunt in court to find, collect, and distribute the deceased person’s stuff (their “estate”) to their rightful heirs, while also paying off debts. But…

Navigating Probate: A Journey Through Estate Settlement The probate process is like a bureaucratic journey your assets take after you pass away. Picture this: your loved ones, grieving your loss, are faced with navigating a court-supervised maze. This process involves tallying up all your belongings, from properties to prized possessions, and distributing them according to…

Exploring insurance plans in New Jersey is crucial for both financial security and maintaining family harmony during difficult times. In this article, we’ll explore various aspects of insurance and the importance of long-term care coverage. What is an Insurance Policy? An insurance policy is a contractual agreement designed to provide protection against specific losses and…

As New Jersey estate planning attorneys, we cannot overemphasize the importance of a medical power of attorney (MPOA). Medical powers of attorney can also be referred to as a “healthcare proxy.” This vital legal document allows you to appoint a trusted individual to make healthcare decisions for you when you are unable to do so.…

Choosing an executor is one of the most important decisions that a testator (person who drafts a will) has to make. The executor, known in New Jersey as a personal representative, must carry out the deceased’s stated wishes. Executors have other duties, including paying outstanding debts, taxes, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. If you have…

As New York probate attorneys, we know that the process of administering an estate can be stressful, time consuming, and potentially costly. Luckily, New York offers a streamlined process for small estate administration, providing an alternative to the standard probate procedure. This specialized approach is not only quicker and more cost-effective but also simpler, making…

Managing an estate can be challenging during a period of grief. Luckily, The Chamberlain Law Firm is here to break down the process into digestible pieces. This guide aims to provide a clear and concise overview of some of the key aspects involved in estate administration.  It’s important to note that this guide is not…