Law Office of M. Suarez, A Limited Liability Company
Free consultation: 201-971-4112
Law Office of M. Suarez, A Limited Liability Company
Your Trusted Partner When Navigating Complex Real Estate Transactions
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Customize Your Will And Estate Planning Protections

The value of a will or advance directive is all in the details. The whole purpose of estate planning is to give clarity to your loved ones and ensure your wishes are honored. A do-it-yourself estate plan won’t have all the answers when that future day comes — and it might make things worse!

At the Law Office of M. Suarez, your goals and intentions are carefully preserved in clear and actionable terms. Attorney Melissa Suarez brings over 20 years of legal experience to these important legal protections. She has drafted wills and companion documents for hundreds of clients in New Jersey and will work one-on-one with you to get it just right.

What’s In An Estate Plan?

Whether you are still in your prime earning years or retired and living the good life, everyone should have some basic estate planning documents. Typically, the package will include:

  • Last will and testament — To declare your heirs and what part of your estate each should inherit
  • Durable power of attorney — To authorize a trusted person to manage your finances, business and legal affairs if you become incapacitated
  • Health care advance directive (living will) — To assign a proxy who could make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to communicate or advocate for yourself and to inform medical staff and your family of your specific wishes regarding life support and end-of-life care.

Additionally, you may or may not want to create a trust in conjunction with your will to avoid probate, to provide a layer of asset protection, or to set money aside for a family member with special needs. Melissa Suarez can also address business succession planning and how to plan for the transfer of a house or other real property to your heirs.

As your estate planning lawyer, Melissa will spend time getting to know you, answering your questions, explaining your options, and personalizing your estate plan.

Melissa also assists individuals who have been appointed for probate proceedings, estate administration or trust administration after a loved one’s death. She can guide you through the duties and address any probate-related disputes, such as a will challenge or breach of fiduciary duty.

LGBTQ Estate Planning

For some clients, it’s just a comfort level, knowing that their orientation or gender expression is not an issue. But there are also specific legal issues that may pertain to gay and lesbian partners in wills, trusts and probate. Title to property, joint tenancy, beneficiary designations and other intentions and survivors’ rights might not be recognized if a same-sex couple was not married. Or perhaps spouses need to update estate plans created under a New Jersey domestic partnership or other pre-Obergefell arrangement.

Melissa Suarez is attuned to those nuances of estate planning that may apply to same-same partners and can make sure your documents align with your wishes and provide “fireproof” protection under the law.

All Are Welcome At The Law Office of M. Suarez

Attorney Suarez counsels individuals and couples of all ages and all walks of life in her estate planning practice. Get started with a free consultation by calling 201-971-4112 or reach out by email. Se habla español.