He Left His $1.5 Million Home to His Girlfriend. Can His Children Take It Back?
A woman spends 20 years sharing a home with her longtime boyfriend. When he dies, he leaves her the house, now worth $1.5 million. His children are upset. They believe the property should stay in the family because the couple never married. Their disappointment may be understandable, but it does not automatically give them a […]
Estate Planning Counsel in New York & New Jersey
Find skilled estate planning counsel in New York and New Jersey. LOBEJ advises high-net-worth families on trusts, tax strategy, and wealth transfer.
Inheriting a Rental Property: Keep the Family Business, Hire a Manager, or Sell?
A rental property often represents decades of a parent’s work: the first down payment, years of repairs, the occasional difficult tenant, and the pride of building something to pass on. When that property goes to the children, it arrives as more than an inheritance. It arrives as a business, along with decisions the family may […]
When a Groom Dies Before a Wedding: Can The Venue Keep The Deposit or Demand The Balance?
When one partner dies before the wedding, a grieving family may suddenly face a venue that wants to keep what was paid or collect the rest. The death does not automatically cancel the contract, and it does not automatically entitle the venue to every dollar either. The answer turns on the agreement, the governing state […]
Commercial, Employment, Dispute & Estate Law and Outside General Counsel
Commercial litigation, employment law, and estate planning services for businesses and families in Livingston, NJ. Free 15-minute consultation available.
Where Your Driveway Meets the Sidewalk: Who Is Responsible for Repairs, Snow Removal, and Injuries?
The spot where your driveway crosses the public sidewalk may be small, but it raises big legal questions. Who fixes cracked concrete? Who clears the snow? And if someone trips, who is responsible? Property owners often have maintenance obligations even where the public has the right to walk. But the duty to maintain the area […]
Blended Families and Inheritance: Estate Planning That Protects Your Children
Two estate planning concerns often arise together: “How do I provide for my spouse while making sure my children inherit?” and “How do I treat my children equally when one cannot manage money responsibly?” Both questions call for more than deciding who receives a particular share. A thoughtful estate plan also determines how assets are […]
When Family, Business, and Estate Planning Collide
The reported dispute involving Dolly Parton’s estate and her nephew, Bryan Seaver, offers an important estate planning lesson for families of every financial level. The allegations in that matter remain contested, and this article does not address their merits. The broader takeaway is that when a family member also holds a trusted role in a […]
Can a Trustee Use Trust Money to Defend Against Allegations of Theft?
Discovering that a relative may have taken money from your trust is troubling enough. Learning that the same person is using trust assets to pay the lawyers defending her can feel like a second financial injury. Is that legal? The answer depends on the trust document, applicable state law, the nature of the legal work, […]
Protecting a Parental Gift When Buying a Home With An Unmarried Partner
A parental gift can make buying a first home possible. But when the buyer purchases with an unmarried partner, that generosity can create an unexpected financial dispute if the relationship ends. The safest approach is to document both transactions: the parents’ gift to their child and the couple’s agreement about ownership of the home. A […]