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Recent Blog Posts
Leaving the Family Vacation Home to Your Children Might Be More Complicated Than You Think
Whether it’s a house down the shore, a cabin in the mountains or a warm-weather getaway, many families cherish the memories they make in their vacation homes. Often, parents want to keep properties like this in the family so that their children and grandchildren can enjoy similar experiences in years and decades to come. Unfortunately, […]
THINGS CHANGE!
We, at The Paton Law Firm, always advise our clients to review their estate plan every five years, at least; and also whenever things change. We have seen dramatic changes in the world within the last five years. Often times people will prepare an Estate Plan that was good at the time of preparation but […]
Without Careful Planning, Nursing Home Costs Could Run into Six Figures Annually
People want what is best for their family members. Adult sons and daughters often devote substantial money and effort to finding the right nursing home for their parents. Likewise, individuals who are approaching their senior years don’t want to leave their loved ones with a major financial burden. According to the American Council on Aging, […]
Tragic Hackman Case Demonstrates Importance of Addressing Even Unlikely Estate Planning Contingencies
Most people understand how important it is to develop a valid estate plan, but for true security, you need to create legal instruments that clearly address all reasonable contingencies, and account for changes in circumstances. Knowledgeable legal guidance is critical in this regard. An experienced attorney understands the problems that arise when there are holes […]
Don’t leave any money on the Table: Get your ANCHOR, SENIOR FREEZE and STAY NJ Benefits.
Please make sure to apply for the ANCHOR Program, Senior Freeze and the new Stay NJ Program. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2025. There is only one application. Just google “NJ ANCHOR Program 2025” and you can apply online or print the forms for all of these programs. There are some qualifications, […]
Capital Gains Tax Exclusion on Sale of Primary Residence — Married vs. Single Sellers; Ownership Implications When Only One Spouse Is on Title
Avoiding Capital Gains on the Sale of Your Primary Residence When you sell your primary residence, the IRS offers a generous tax benefit: a capital gains exclusion of up to $250,000 per person. That means most married couples can exclude up to $500,000 of gain on the sale—potentially avoiding capital gains tax altogether. But there […]
How the New Jersey Real Estate Consumer Protection Enhancement Act Affects Home Sales
On both the national and state level, significant changes have been made to the home buying process. Litigation involving the National Association of Realtors has changed the agent commission system that had been in place for decades. Here in New Jersey, legislation was passed in 2024 to enhance transparency and accountability in real estate transactions. […]
Stay NJ
What is Stay NJ and who should apply? The Stay NJ Program incentivizes seniors to remain in the state after retirement by providing a credit on property taxes to eligible residents. This program’s creation was a part of the Stay NJ Act which amended the ANCHOR and Senior Freeze tax benefit programs and raised the […]
Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement)
What is Senior Freeze, and who should apply? The New Jersey Senior Freeze program provides property tax or mobile home site fee reimbursements to eligible seniors and disabled persons for their primary residences. The program qualifications concern home ownership status, property tax increases, total income, and age or disability status. To see the full list […]
New Jersey County Clerks Property Alert Services
Nearly every New Jersey County Clerk’s Office offers a form of free Property Alert Services to notify subscribers when documents such as deeds, mortgages, and liens are recorded in their name and/or property(ies). These services notify subscribers via email, text, or phone call, when a document with your name and/or property is recorded in the […]
