Clinton Township Newsletter

1 0 a p r i l 2 0 2 0 W W W . C L I N T O N T W P N E W S L E T T E R . C O M Call for Your Free Consultation Today! Devoted Advocates for Your Family, Criminal and Estate Law Needs. www.denilaw.com (908) 782-2900 g e T y o U R a F F a i R s i n o R d e R It's the time of year for some spring cleaning, including getting organized. Part of getting organized is also looking at your estate plan. While the process might sound involved, we can make it simple. By putting in just a few hours of planning, you can avoid the worst-case scenario. Here is a basic list of some of the most common estate planning documents and why you should consider having one drafted this year, regardless of your age: 1. Last Will and Testament: Most clients assume they only need a Last Will and Testament if they are elderly or if they are wealthy, but there is nothing further from the truth. If you pass away unexpectedly and leave no Will, the Court decides who makes decisions about your affairs including everything from your funeral arrangements (whether you are buried or cremated) to who will care for your children. We often think of estate planning for those who are trying to avoid Estate taxes and are willing to spend thousands of dollars to plan accordingly, but a simple Will drafted to ensure an individual's wishes are carried out upon their death is more affordable than you might think. 2. Power of Attorney: A Power of Attorney is a document that enables another individual to pay your bills and make basic financial decisions for you if you are ever unable to do so. This document can be effective immediately when it is signed, or it can be effective only when a doctor says you are incapacitated. Again, many clients assume that only the elderly need a Power of Attorney. But what happens if you are in a car accident and then hospitalized? Dealing with banks to make sure simple bills, such as the rent or the mortgage, are paid when you are hospitalized can add a significant amount of stress to your life. That is why, no matter what your age, having a Power of Attorney is always a sound decision. 3. Medical Power of Attorney: Most of us have gone to the hospital and been asked to sign a form expressing our wishes before surgery. But have you ever thought about the implications of these simple forms? Medical decisions and procedures are incredibly complex and yet we expect doctors to follow a three or four question form about our wishes when making life or death decisions about our care. This oversimplification can have dire consequences in practice. A Medical Power of Attorney allows our clients to select a trusted friend or family member to make medical decisions, in consultation with the client's doctor, about their medical care. Your Estate plan can be very simple and inexpensive or it may require a deeper discussion about Trusts and other scenarios unique to your family and financial situation. We are here to help you identify what you may need. Please call to set up a consultation with Marisa Baker Trofimov, Esq. at The Deni Law Group: 908.782.2900. The Clinton Sunrise Rotary Annual Pete Pender Memorial Fishing Derby will be held on Saturday May 2, rain or shine! DeMott Pond will be stocked with fish for this FREE family event, and bait, bobbers and hooks will be supplied—just bring your own pole. The event is open to youth ages 4-16 years old and each participant will receive a raffle ticket for door prize drawings during the event. Registration will be conducted from 8:00 am - 9:00 am; fishing is from 9:00 am -12:00 noon. DeMott Pond is located on Route 173 in Clinton, across the street and one block west of the Clinton Holiday Inn. Sponsorship opportunities are available to offset the cost of stocking the pond and prizes for all youth participants. For more information or to download a sponsorship form, visit: www.ClintonSunriseRotary. org or contact Rotary at: 908.279.0112. s a v e T H e d a T e ! C l i n T o n s U n R i s e R o T a R y m e m o R i a l F i s H i n g d e R B y s e T F o R m a y 2 !

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