Blog

  • I have a will. Do I also need a ‘pour over’ will?
    The language surrounding estate planning can be confusing. You may already have a will, but perhaps the term “pour-over will” has come to your attention. What is a pour-over will, and how is it different from a more typical last will and testament? What is a will? A will is a written declaration stating how you want your assets distributed to your heirs when you die. Generally, there are certain formalities laid out in state...
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  • Understanding a will contest in New Jersey
    Most New Jersey residents view their will as the last step in determining how their assets will be distributed upon their death. In most cases this view prevails, but in other cases, one or more heirs (or potential heirs) will object to one or more specific bequests in a will. In these cases, the dissatisfied heirs may decide to commence a lawsuit to challenge the validity of the will. These lawsuits are commonly called “will...
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  • How does a divorce affect my New Jersey estate plan?
    When couples are heading for divorce, they rarely think of their estate plan. Often, divorce is more about getting through it. But, for those going through the process, you should know that it can have a significant impact on your estate plan both legally and what you actually want the estate plan to contain after the divorce is finalized. New Jersey Statutes 3B:3-14 According to New Jersey Statutes 3B:3-14, a divorce or annulment automatically revokes...
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  • Creating a business succession plan
    There comes a time when a business owner may need to prepare to transfer leadership to a new group of people. Sometimes, this is because the owner chooses to retire or because they move on to a new venture. Business succession planning can ensure that the business continues to grow, even when it changes hands. In a small, family-owned business, this can involve transitioning the business to a new generation of owners. Business succession planning...
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  • How trusts can provide for children with special needs
    Many individuals and families set up a trust as a way to provide for their children. This goal takes on added urgency when the child has special needs. Fortunately, trusts come in many forms and are highly adaptable to many needs and situations. One type of trust, known as a special needs trust, can provide for a child with special needs both while the parents are alive and after they are gone. Trust basics When...
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  • Common estate planning mistakes
    An estate plan helps assure that your wishes are carried out after your death or if you ever become incapacitated. For anyone who is at least 50, estate planning is essential. But common mistakes can undermine your planning. An estate plan helps assure that your wishes are carried out after your death or if you ever become incapacitated. For anyone who is at least 50, estate planning is essential. But common mistakes can undermine your...
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  • New Jersey supports FTC’s proposed ban on non-competes
    As part of doing business, you might routinely ask employees to sign non-compete agreements, in which they agree not to work for competitors within a certain geographic range and within a certain timeframe. The purpose of non-compete agreements is to ensure your business’ trade secrets and other proprietary information is not unduly disclosed to your competitors by a former employer to your detriment. Non-compete agreements come under fire While you might only have the best...
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  • Compliance missteps for small businesses to avoid
    All too often, small businesses imagine compliance with federal and state rules and regulations are the concerns of the big fish in the pond, that their noncompliance will go unseen, that sound compliance procedures and policies are not an essential part of the business build. But this isn’t so. The smallest company can be reached by state and federal regulations, and a lack of compliance is exposure. What might happen? Compliance irregularities leave a business...
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  • How does the probate process start?
    People in New Jersey may have wills or they may not when they pass away. Whether they have a will or not though does not change the fact that most of the time administration of their estate needs to go through probate. This is the legal process that allows people to transfer the property of the deceased to beneficiaries and pay any creditors they owed at the time of their death. If people did have...
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  • How do I pass down my New Jersey business to family?
    If you own a business in the Garden State and you want to pass it on to your family members as part of your estate plan, you need to consider some key steps and concepts. New Jersey business succession planning is the process of preparing for the transfer of ownership and management of your business when you retire, die or become incapacitated. Identify your goals and objectives What do you want to achieve with your...
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MEET ATTORNEY MICHAEL D. RITIGSTEIN

Michael Ritigstein is a Founding Partner of the firm concentrating his efforts in supporting the firm's litigation, corporate and estate matters. Mr. Ritigstein graduated from the University of Delaware in 1996 and Seton Hall University School of Law in 2000. In 2007 he received a Masters of Law in Taxation with a concentration in Estate Planning, from Temple University's Beasley School of Law.

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