The process of drawing up a will can seem like a relatively simple matter, and of course there are many Internet marketers out there who would have you believe that it is. But when you see these “fill in the blanks” estate planning kits on the Internet you have to be aware of the fact that you get what you pay for. But unlike a cheap imitation gag gift your will is something that has extraordinary and far-reaching impact on the people you love the most. In other words, estate planning is not a trifling matter.
The thing about drawing up a will as your vehicle of transfer is that once you pass away, it is not going to exist in a vacuum. Your estate will have to go through the legal process of probate, and this is when the surrogate court supervises its administration by the executor or personal representative. Here in the state of New Jersey the probate process is designed to be efficient and streamlined but of course the average citizen has no understanding of exactly what the surrogate court is looking for when it examines a will to determine its validity.
New Jersey probate attorneys work with the surrogate courts on a daily basis, so they know exactly how the process works. Going back to the assertion that your will is not going to be administered in a vacuum, it should be constructed with the realities of the probate process in mind. And not just any probate process; the probate process here in the state of New Jersey.
You can’t overstate the importance of the legal document that will elucidate your wishes with regard to the distribution of your legacy. Given the magnitude of the situation the logical way to proceed when you are planning your estate is with the assistance of an experienced, savvy New Jersey probate lawyer.
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