Ridgewood Estate Planning

Ridgewood Estate Planning

One Legal Strategy for Your Assets, Care & Family

Effective planning accounts for more than the transfer of property after death. At Alguram Law Group, we coordinate estate planning with long-term care, benefits, and disability-related needs to create an individualized strategy for Ridgewood, New Jersey families.

Attorney Jason Alguram focuses his practice on Elder Law and Special Needs Planning. He advises clients on Estate Planning, Trust Planning, future care, and Medicaid Planning. He is also certified by the Veterans Administration to assist with Veterans Benefits.

Discuss your goals with our Ridgewood estate planning attorney by calling (732) 538-7904 for a free initial consultation.

Our Ridgewood Estate Planning Process

We begin by listening, then develop and present planning options based on your family, assets, care concerns, and priorities.

Your planning process can include:

Discovery: We discuss your current circumstances, long-term concerns, and priorities for the people or causes important to you.
Strategy: We develop an individualized approach and explain the available planning options.
Benefits considerations: We address Medicaid and veterans benefits when they’re relevant to your situation.
Document preparation: We draft the selected estate planning documents and review them with you.
Execution: We guide you through signing the completed documents.
Updates: We revise your plan when life changes require a fresh review.

Changes in health, family relationships, property ownership, or care needs can affect an existing plan. Updating the documents keeps them aligned with your current decisions rather than circumstances that no longer apply.

Wills, Trusts & Incapacity Documents

We prepare coordinated documents based on what your plan needs to accomplish. Some clients need a will and incapacity documents, while others need trust planning that addresses asset management, long-term care, or a beneficiary with a disability.

Our estate planning services include:

Wills
Revocable trusts
Irrevocable trusts
Special needs trusts
Powers of attorney
Advance healthcare directives
Probate and estate administration

A power of attorney identifies who can handle financial matters if you can’t act for yourself. An advance healthcare directive records healthcare instructions and decision-making authority. Because the appropriate trust structure depends on its purpose, we explain the available options before preparing the documents.

Schedule an Initial Consultation

Alguram Law Group serves clients in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and offers initial consultations with Attorney Jason Alguram at no charge. Consultations are available in person and virtually, allowing you to choose the format that fits your circumstances.

Our contact form provides space to explain your priorities and identify the estate planning, benefits, or probate issues that need attention.

Call (732) 538-7904 to schedule your free initial consultation with Attorney Jason Alguram.

Probate for Ridgewood Estates

Probate and estate matters involving Ridgewood residents are handled through the Bergen County Surrogate’s Court. The Surrogate validates wills, appoints executors or administrators, and handles guardianship filings.

Initial probate requirements include:

A New Jersey will must be presented to the Surrogate before it can be admitted to probate.
A will can’t be admitted to probate until at least 10 days after the date of death.
An executor generally isn’t required to bring an attorney to a routine, uncontested probate appointment in New Jersey.

The court appointment is only one part of administering an estate. The executor may also need to identify estate property, address valid debts, complete tax-related work, and distribute assets under the will and applicable law. The required steps depend on the estate’s assets, beneficiaries, debts, and any disputes that arise.

Creditor Claims & New Jersey Tax Considerations

Once probate begins, the executor must administer the estate, not simply receive authority from the court. In New Jersey, creditors have nine months to file claims against an estate.

New Jersey eliminated its state estate tax for deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2018. A separate New Jersey inheritance tax can still apply depending on the beneficiary’s relationship to the person who died.

Class A beneficiaries exempt from New Jersey inheritance tax include:

Spouses
Children
Grandchildren
Parents

Other beneficiary classifications may receive different treatment, so the identities of the beneficiaries matter. Tax obligations and filing requirements depend on the estate’s specific circumstances.

Executor & Trustee Support

We assist executors with probate and estate administration and help trustees administer living trusts. When a client doesn’t have a family member available to act as executor, Alguram Law Group can serve directly in that role.

We tailor our work to the fiduciary duties in the governing will or trust and the assets involved. We identify the applicable legal steps and help the executor or trustee organize the administration.

Read Our Client Reviews

Contact Us Today

At Alguram Law Group, we're always ready to take your call! Give us a call at (732) 538-7904 or fill out the form below to contact one of our team members.

First Name
Last Name
Phone
Email
Are you a new client?
How can we help you?
By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from Alguram Law Group at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance. Acceptable Use Policy

Highly Personalized, Client-First Experience

Our hands-on, relationship-driven approach gives clients confidence and peace of mind throughout what can be an emotional process.
Focused on Estate Planning

Alguram Law Group focuses exclusively on estate planning, giving clients deeply experienced attorneys who work in this niche every day and create truly customized plans.
Proven Reputation & Specialized Credentials

Founder Jason Alguram brings extensive experience and professional recognition in estate planning, supported by strong community reviews and consistent 5-star ratings.
We Provide Free Consultations

The firm offers free consultations, emphasizing transparency and accessibility while ensuring clients feel supported from the very first conversation.