For more than 26 years, I have practiced elder law in New Jersey. Over that time, I have drafted tens of thousands of estate-planning documents—last...
Eldercare Lawyer Blog
Estate Planning
Gift and Estate Tax: The Boogeyman
Beginning in 2026, the federal lifetime exclusion against gift and estate tax is scheduled to increase to $15,000,000 per individual. In simple...
Why Everyone Should Have a Power of Attorney
Few legal documents offer more practical protection than a Durable General Power of Attorney (POA). It ensures that someone you trust can manage...
The Hidden Tax Break
When it comes to real estate, most people focus on the obvious—mortgage rates and neighborhood values. But there’s a quieter financial reality...
Legal Documents Every Parent Should Have
All three of my children are in college and over eighteen. Though I still think of them as kids, the law sees them as adults. The moment a person...
“Do I Have To Pay Mom’s Credit Card Bills?”
“My mother died recently. She had about $20,000 in credit card debt. I am the executor of her estate. Do I have to pay that credit card debt or did...
A Reasonable Flat Fee
I have been practicing elder law for twenty-five years. Most of my practice is transactional law, as opposed to litigation. I draft estate planning...
Wills Must Be Drafted Carefully
A last will and testament is a document through which a person passes his assets on to others after his death. A Will is also a document through...
Do I Need a Trust?
“Do I need a trust?” I hear this question all the time from clients. There is no easy answer because the reason a person may need a trust varies....
Having an Estate Plan
In my lifetime, several United States presidents have passed away, and one thing I notice about presidents is, each of them planned out their...
New Year’s Estate Planning Resolutions
It’s another new year. Many of us will enter resolutions with ourselves—either spoken or unspoken—things we want to accomplish in the new year. I...
Will I Pay Estate Tax?
The new year is upon us, and with that, the federal government has issued new numbers for the credit equivalent against federal estate and gift tax....
Where Did My Money Go? Understanding What Happens to Assets After Death
Many families are surprised to learn that assets do not always pass according to a will. Accounts with named beneficiaries, jointly held property,...
Applying for Medicaid: Cost and Services
In last week’s article, I wrote about non-attorney Medicaid application companies. Medicaid is a health payment plan for needy individuals. Medicaid...
Protecting Assets with a Trust
When a family member needs long-term care, the family has many concerns, not the least of which is the cost of the care and their ability to pay...
Categories
Recent Posts
Living Documents
For more than 26 years, I have practiced elder law in New Jersey. Over that time, I have drafted tens of thousands of estate-planning documents—last wills and testaments, financial general durable powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. These documents...
Gift and Estate Tax: The Boogeyman
Beginning in 2026, the federal lifetime exclusion against gift and estate tax is scheduled to increase to $15,000,000 per individual. In simple terms, this means that a person can give away—or die owning—up to $15 million in assets without paying any federal gift or...
Understanding the Role of a Guardian in New Jersey
Planning for the future is something many people postpone until it is too late. In New Jersey, when an individual becomes unable to manage their own personal, financial, or health-related affairs, the absence of proper planning can lead to the need for a...
Why Everyone Should Have a Power of Attorney
Few legal documents offer more practical protection than a Durable General Power of Attorney (POA). It ensures that someone you trust can manage your finances if you become ill, incapacitated, or simply unavailable to sign a document. Yet many residents of New Jersey...
Why a Revocable Trust Can Save You Headaches
When people hear the term “trust,” they often think about taxes, wealth, or complicated legal maneuvers. But the most practical reason for creating a revocable living trust is much simpler: avoiding probate in other states. Probate in New Jersey: Quick and Easy Here...
Archives
To schedule a consultation with the Law Offices of John W. Callinan, call our office closest to you:
Sea Girt (732) 974-8898 Middletown (732) 706-8008