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What Is Intestacy in New Jersey? What It Means for Blended Families, Stepchildren, and Unmarried Partners

Mar 20, 2026

Many people assume that if they die without a will, their assets will simply pass to the people they love most. In New Jersey, that is not always how it works. When someone dies without a valid will, they are considered to have died intestate, and New Jersey law determines who inherits from the probate estate. That legal framework can create painful surprises for families who assumed their loved one’s wishes were obvious, especially for...

Supporting South Jersey Families Through Estate Questions: What Abby Cohler’s Volunteer of the Month Recognition Reflects About Our Work

Feb 27, 2026

Volunteer UP Legal Clinic recently recognized Volunteer UP shared that, with Abby’s help, the client ultimately received a portion of her sister’s estate. Every estate matter depends on its own facts. Still, this story reflects something many people experience after a loss. Important legal and financial questions can surface quickly, often before you feel ready to handle them. You may be trying to understand why a bank account cannot be accessed, what happens to...

Estate Planning Isn’t Just for the Elderly: Why Every New Jersey Parent Should Have a Plan in Place

Jan 13, 2026

When many people in South Jersey hear the words estate planning, they immediately picture retirees in Florida or wealthy individuals with sprawling Medford estates. There is a common misconception that legal planning is something you do only when you reach a certain age or once you have accumulated a specific level of wealth. At Cohler Law, we regularly speak with young families in Marlton, Cherry Hill, and the surrounding areas who believe they have decades...

Do You Need a Living Will in New Jersey? Here’s What It Covers and What It Doesn’t

Dec 24, 2025

Life is defined by its many transitions, but few topics carry as much weight or uncertainty as the prospect of a medical crisis. We often spend our lives building legacies, caring for our children, and planning for retirement, yet many South Jersey families overlook the most personal aspect of a future plan: how medical decisions will be made when they cannot speak for themselves. At Cohler Law, we have spent over thirty years helping families...

Life Events That Should Trigger an Estate Plan Checkup in New Jersey

Nov 28, 2025

When Major Life Events Should Send You Back to Your New Jersey Estate Planning Attorney As At Cohler Law, we help clients in Marlton, Burlington County, and throughout South Jersey keep their plans current through thoughtful, personalized South Jersey estate plan review services. We look at wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, and living wills to be sure they still reflect your wishes and your family situation today, not ten or twenty years...

Top 5 Mistakes New Jersey Executors Make and How to Avoid Them

Oct 29, 2025

Losing a loved one is hard enough without the added stress of legal paperwork. Being named At Cohler Law, we guide executors in Marlton, Burlington County, and throughout South Jersey so they can carry out their duties with confidence and peace of mind. From the very beginning, you must act carefully, protect your interests and those of the beneficiaries, and follow the decedent’s wishes faithfully. Below, we’ll walk you through five of the most...

Do Siblings Pay Inheritance Tax in New Jersey or Are They Exempt?

Sep 23, 2025

Many families in New Jersey assume that siblings are automatically exempt from paying inheritance tax. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Although New Jersey eliminated its estate tax in 2018, the inheritance tax still applies to certain family members, including siblings, nieces, and nephews. At Cohler Law, we help families in Marlton and across Burlington County, Camden County, and Gloucester County Do Siblings Pay Inheritance Tax in New Jersey? Yes. Under New Jersey law,...

What Happens If You Die Without a Will in New Jersey?

Aug 22, 2025

A Guide for South Jersey Families Losing a loved one is hard enough, but when there’s no will, it can feel even more overwhelming. Without a legal plan in place, families are often left asking: In New Jersey, when someone passes away without a will, the state steps in to decide how their property is distributed. While this process, known as intestate succession, follows a fixed legal order, it doesn't always reflect what the...

Trusts vs. Wills in New Jersey: Which Estate Planning Tool Is Right for Your Family?

Jul 18, 2025

Estate planning is one of the most thoughtful steps you can take to protect your family’s future and ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. If you’re wondering whether a will or a trust is better for your family’s future, you’re not alone. In New Jersey, two of the most important tools in What Is a Will, and When Should You Use One? A Key Benefits of a Will Clarity and...

Probate Made Simple: How a Lawyer Can Save You Time, Money, and Stress

Jun 18, 2025

Navigating the What Is Probate and Why Does It Matter? Probate is the legal process of ensuring the proper distribution of a deceased person’s estate. It involves validating the While New Jersey’s probate process is considered straightforward compared to other states, it can still present challenges. Errors in paperwork, disputes among heirs, or complex assets can complicate matters. Hiring a skilled probate attorney ensures that these hurdles are addressed efficiently, minimizing delays and...