Areas Of Practice

• Wills and Trusts
• Estate Planning
• Issues of Incapacity
• Retirement Planning
• Multi Generation and Business Succession Planning
• Medicaid Planning and Spend Down
• Special Needs Planning 
• Trust and Estate Administration
• Conservatorships and Guardianships
• Asset Protection Planning

An Introduction to Estate and Probate Administration in New Jersey and How the Firm Will Assist You:

When a loved one passes away, the assistance of an experienced attorney is essential. Probate requires that the named executor if there was A Last Will and Testament or administrator if the deceased died intestate, without a Last Will and Testament bring a death certificate and original Last Will and Testament, if applicable to the surrogate’s office in the county where the decedent resided at the time of death no earlier than 10 days after the date of death. 

We will assist you in gathering information as the Executor or Administrator must complete the required forms at the Surrogate’s Office in order to receive Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. The individual is then authorized by the Surrogate’s office to sign documents and proceed with the Administration of the Estate. Unless the estate is small a bond will be required.

We then take over the work of estate administration with your assistance. The following are some of the duties of the Estate Administration Attorney:

• We will advise the Executor regarding duties and deadlines.

• The Executor or Administrator will provide and we will review for accuracy and adherence to deadlines, claims made by creditors against the estate such as medical bills. We will assist in locating assets including non-estate assets such as life insurance, 401K, pension and IRA’s. All assets must be disclosed in the accounting and inheritance tax return stating the value of each asset as of the date of death.

• Prepare all documents that will be provided to beneficiaries such as Notification, Accounting (either formal or informal), Waiver and Refunding Bond. Documents must be sent to beneficiaries, returned fully executed before estate distributions are made in order to insulate the Executor or Representative from potential liability. We will file on behalf of the executor the signed Refunding Bonds and Releases with the surrogate.

• Review the estate in order to determine if any Federal Estate Tax is owed, the New Jersey Estate Tax was repealed for those dying in New Jersey after January 1, 2018; however there remains an inheritance tax in the State of New Jersey. There is no inheritance tax on amounts inherited by Class A or E beneficiaries. However, an inheritance tax return must be filed in most cases. We will prepare and submit the return for you. Documents must be included with the submission of the Return to the State of New Jersey, Division of Taxation including, for example, Federal Income Tax Returns (1040).

Keith A. Singer has extensive experience in all aspects of Real Estate Law in the State of New Jersey. Should you require representation, please call for a free consultation: (732) 749-3700  

Generally speaking, real estate closings are an effort among attorneys, realtors, paralegals, title agencies and lenders to coordinate the real estate contract, financing, and timing. Much experience and logistical skill is required, the amount of forms and requirements can be daunting.  

The Law Office of Keith A. Singer provides professional services and experience in this area so that the significant transaction is closed seamlessly for each client. The Real Estate Area of practice includes but is not limited to the following:​ 

• Commercial, Residential, Office, Industrial and Shopping Center Properties
• Developers of Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Office Properties
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Commercial and Residential Buyers and Sellers
• Tax Appeals
• Planning Board Representation
• Environmental Issues and Representation
• Short Sales and Foreclosures
• New Construction 
• Residential and Commercial Leases
• Real Estate Disputes
• Real Estate Broker Issues
• Construction Defects and Mechanic's Liens
• Land Use and Zoning Matters 

• Business Formation and Planning
• Business Representation 
• Succession and Agreements
• Purchase and Sale of Existing Business 
• Nonprofit Formation and Representation
• Employment Agreements
• Intellectual Property  
• Contract Drafting and Review
• Trade Regulation Licensing & Compliance
• New Food Products and Compliance
• Technology Issues Including Work for Hire 
• Real Estate and Construction Issues

• Breach of Contract
• Civil Rights Issues
• Constructive Discharge
• Disability
• Discrimination
• EEOC
• Exceptions to At Will Employment
• N.J. Family, Medical, and Earned Sick Leave Acts
• Government and Municipal Employees
• Reasonable Accommodations
• Restrictive Covenants and Non Compete Agreements
• Severance and Separation Agreements
• Sexual Harassment
• Unemployment Claims
• Wrongful Discharge