Updated

Updated · wrnjradio.com · Aug 20

Morris County Surrogate Continues August Will Seminars, Urging Residents to Update Estate Plans

Updated

Updated · wrnjradio.com · Aug 20

Morris County Surrogate Continues August Will Seminars, Urging Residents to Update Estate Plans

Q: Could a judge actually reject the guardian you carefully chose for your children after you pass away?

Yes. A parent’s will usually lets you nominate a guardian, but a judge generally makes the final appointment and can refuse that choice if it is not in the child’s best interests. That does not mean your choice is ignored. In practice, courts give significant weight to a clear, properly signed nomination, especially when the person is willing, capable, and already has a strong relationship with the child. But the court can reject the nominee if there are serious concerns such as abuse, instability, poor health, unwillingness to serve, a criminal history, conflict with the child’s needs, or evidence that another placement would better protect the child. There is also an important limit: if one parent dies, the surviving parent typically keeps custody rights unless that parent is legally unfit or has lost parental rights. A will cannot override those rights on its own. That is why estate planners urge parents to do more than simply write down one name. Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling’s seminars highlight the value of naming guardians in a will so parents—not state law or a court with no guidance—help shape what happens. The stronger approach is to choose someone who shares your values, has a stable home, is willing to serve, and to name backup guardians in case your first choice cannot act. A valid will improves the odds that your wishes will be followed. It does not make the court’s review disappear.

1 articles · Updated · wrnjradio.com · Aug 20

Heather Darling this week met the Mine Hill Good Years Club, continuing Morris County’s in-person “Make a Will” Month seminars on wills and estate planning.
August’s campaign is meant to push residents to create or update wills, with Darling warning that without a plan, state law may determine how assets are distributed.
The sessions also explain how probate works through the Morris County Surrogate’s Office and how parents can name guardians for minor children.
Participants receive two Surrogate’s Court publications — “A Citizens Guide to Wills, Trusts and Estates” and a “Personal Record” for key emergency and estate information — both also available online.
Darling said she plans to keep offering estate-planning and related seminars across Morris County beyond this month.

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wrnjradio.com3d ago

Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling Holds Estate Planning Seminars for "Make a Will" Month

What surprising ways might state law distribute your life savings if you die without a valid will?

Could a judge actually reject the guardian you carefully chose for your children after you pass away?

Why might a revocable living trust protect your family's privacy and assets better than a traditional will?

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1 total

wrnjradio.com3d ago

Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling Holds Estate Planning Seminars for "Make a Will" Month

Morris County Surrogate Continues August Will Seminars, Urging Residents to Update Estate Plans

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