Elder Law

Haines & Yost
Attorneys at Law
214 Washington Street
Toms River, NJ 08753-7566

Telephone: (732) 240-4900
Fax: (732) 240-4830
E-mail: HainesandYost@aol.com

At Haines & Yost, we assist our clients, both young and old, in planning and organizing their estates. Most of our clients derive a lot of relief and satisfaction from the knowledge that their affairs are now properly structured and that, after they die, their property will pass on smoothly to their designated heirs. Estate planning includes not only planning for the division of your assets upon your death, but also for your own care and the care of your assets should you become incapacitated during your life and unable to continue managing your affairs.

For many people, estate planning needs can be met through the creation of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and Health Care Directive documents. We can help by drafting a valid will or by setting up various kinds of trusts that can minimize the tax consequences of your estate. At the same time, we have considerable expertise in guiding clients through the probate process, making sure that all the debts of a deceased relative are paid and that any remaining assets are properly distributed.

Our attorneys are available to assist you in the area of estate planning. For those with estate tax concerns, ownership of real estate outside of New Jersey, or a desire to provide for future administration and distribution of assets, more sophisticated trusts may be recommended. If you have young children, you may wish to provide for their future care through the inclusion of guardianship provisions in your will. If you are getting older and need assistance planning for a future in a nursing home or an assisted living facility, we can help.

Haines & Yost has accumulated considerable experience handling estate planning matters. We routinely assist our clients with the management and distribution of their property during their lifetime while preparing for what will happen after death. We always take into account any wills, unpaid taxes, insurance proceeds, property, and trusts. The ultimate goal is to derive maximum benefit from all laws while at the same time carrying out the person's wishes. We also guide families through the probate process. This is the court-supervised process through which a will is tested for validity and the estate of a deceased person (the decedent) is administered. The probate process generally includes collecting the decedent's assets, liquidating liabilities, paying necessary taxes, settling debts, and distributing the remaining property to the heirs. At Haines & Yost, we understand how difficult it usually is for a bereaved family to be fighting over a dead relative's property, and we make every effort to be sensitive and discreet about these things. Whenever necessary, we can make guardianship arrangements for persons less than 18 years of age or conservatorship arrangements for those over 18. We also engage in probate litigation as well as in the location and distribution of long-lost or misappropriated assets.

Contact us today if you want to experience the relief that comes with knowing that your most cherished possessions are protected for you by a competent and knowledgeable attorney.