paper bills and coins

The year 2014 will be remembered for many things, to include celebrity deaths. The details of another celebrity’s estate have recently been revealed. This time it is the estate of late actor Bob Hoskins. Unlike some other celebrity estates, Hoskins’ is fairly ordinary. Actor Bob Hoskins passed away last April at the age of 71. […]

red rose and dobermann

Did you know pets are property, much like your clothes, lawn mower and costume jewelry in the eyes of the law? It’s true. For many people, however, pets are more than just best friends. They are a valued member of the family. Question: Can you direct that your pets be put to sleep after you […]

Dunce Holding Paper Money

Do you have a revocable living trust? Are you thinking about creating (or updating one) in the New Year? Either way it is important to transfer your assets into that trust, including any real estate that you own. Estate planning attorneys who draft trusts for their clients always advise those clients to transfer assets into […]

Pad of Paper and pen

No one really wants to do it. I mean, it makes one face the realities of one’s own mortality. For many people writing a will can be a daunting task. Along with avoiding eye contact with death, it can be difficult to decide what to do with your assets after you pass away. However, once […]

man looking sad

A fool and his money will go separate ways. So it is with many an inheritance. People often fear that leaving large sums of money to their relatives will result in those relatives blowing the money on things they do not need. A recent case in the United Kingdom demonstrates that this is not an […]

pen and paper

John Sheridan, Cooper Health System’s CEO, and his wife were declared dead Sept. 28 after they were found unresponsive in their master bedroom in Montgomery Township’s Skillman section. No will for the Sheridans has been located. The family has not filed a detailed list of assets such as real estate, cash, and stocks and bonds. […]

paper bills and coins

A New York City landlord told his siblings, on his deathbed, that he hid $4.5m worth of silver bullion and gold krugerrands – but no one knew where. The confession sent a family into years of litigation and a costly treasure hunt, one still unresolved today. What would you do your dying family member claimed to have […]

Senior Couple on Computer

Search for the late actor and comedian Robin Williams on Facebook and you’ll quickly come to an invitation to “connect” to him. That could be difficult, to say the least. The much-beloved Academy Award winner departed this earthly realm four months ago. His page is now set up to receive tributes from his considerable fan […]

Children Holding Hands on School Playground

When Apple and Facebook made news recently for paying the expenses of their female employees to freeze their eggs, chances are you didn’t think it would have any effect on your estate plan. But if you have a daughter or a granddaughter, you may be mistaken. Modern medicine is definitely a game-changer in the estate planning […]

man planting money

Legion of Christ is a Catholic holy order whose founder was found to have molested seminarians and fathered children. A wealthy Rhode Island woman left her entire $60 million estate to the order. Now, the Rhode Island Supreme Court will decide if that woman’s niece can sue the order. While it is not unusual for […]