Planning for the future is an essential task that must be tackled to protect the interests of you and your family. Through estate planning, wills and trusts allow you to delineate how you want your real and personal property and assets distributed. At Chance & McCann attorneys are committed to helping you understand the tenets of estate planning and making the process as simple and seamless as possible.

What are the requirements for a valid will?

The requirements for a valid will vary slightly from state to state. In New Jersey a validly executed will must:

  • Be in writing
  • Signed by you
  • Signed by at least two witnesses

In addition to these basic requirements, New Jersey law mandates that you must be at least 18 years old and legally competent. Competence is satisfied you are of sound mind and understand the meaning and purpose of the will as well as the nature and extent of his or her assets and property. In some cases, wills are handwritten. These are known as holographic wills. New Jersey recognizes holographic wills if it is written in your own handwriting.

Why do I need to have a will?

Many people mistakenly believe that it is only important for people with significant assets to have valid wills. However, if you die without a validly executed will your property will be distributed according to New Jersey’s intestacy statutes. Intestacy statutes begin with your closest living relatives and continue until your property is distributed. You will need to assign guardianship of your children and a trustee of your assets. If you have no eligible beneficiaries under intestacy, your property escheats to the state. Effectively, a will is your only way to control what happens to your possessions and provide for the people of your own choosing. Our attorneys are also able to help you appoint someone you trust to handle your affairs if you become legally incompetent. This is known as a power of attorney and grants authority someone the authority to make decisions about your personal, medical and financial affairs.

Consult our experienced estate planning attorneys today to safeguard your future

Planning for the future is vital to protecting what you’ve worked hard for during your life. At Chance & McCann, our experienced wills and trusts attorneys provide personalized counsel to help you make sound decisions.

We can provide you with:

  • Last Will & Testament
  • Living Wills
  • Financial Powers of Attorney
  • Heath Care Powers of Attorney

CALL US TODAY AT 856.451.9100 so that we can provide immediate assistance!

 

FORMER & CURRENT CLIENTS

Amazon, Ashley-McCormick, Barton F. Sharp & Son, Bellvue Holding Company, Biondi Insurance Agency, Bolig Foods, Bridgeton Family Medicine, Bridgeton Fire Department, Bridgeton Main Street, Bridgeton Midget Football League, Bridgeton Police Department Superior Officers Association, Bridgeton Police Department Benevolent Association, Cruzan’s Truck Service, Cumberland Food Service, Cumberland Self Storage, Italian American Civic Club, Johnson Farms, Johnson Farms Enterprises, Montana Motors, Neptune Restaurant, Newcomb Hospital, NJEA, NJPBA, NJ Fraternal Order of Police, NJ PBA Legal Protection Plan, New Jersey State Police NCO Association, New Jersey State Police Fraternal Association, PBA Local 105, Pee Dee Associates, Physician’s Billing Service, R.H. Excavating, RAKAB Transportation, Salmon Ventures Inc, Salvation Army A.R.C., Sjogren Inc, St Andrews Episcopal Church, Statewide Hi-Way, Tap Electric, Thompson Realty, Three Moons, LLC, Timber Road Associated, Vince Paladino Farms Inc, Whibco, Young Men’s Savings & Loan, Colonial Bank, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Franklin Bank, Hudson Bank, Sun National Bank, Bridgeton Board of Education, Carney’s Point, City of Bridgeton, City of Millville, City of Salem, City of Salem Board of Education, Salem Community College, Salem County Board of Social Services, Salem County Health Department, Salem County Surrogate, Cumberland County, Cumberland County Surrogate, Cumberland County Insurance Commission, Fairfield Township, Fairfield Volunteer Fire Company, Gloucester County Insurance Commission, Gloucester County Office of Assessment, Pennsgrove, Stow Creek Township, Township of Deerfield, Township of Delran, Township of Delran, Township of Pennsville, Township of Pittsgrove, Allstate Ins Co, American Reliance Ins Co, Blue Ridge Ins Co, Cumberland Mutual Ins Co, Farmers Mutual Fire Assurance Assoc. Farmers Mutual of Salem, Franklin Mutual Ins Co, Frontier Ins Co, GAB Robbins Risk Management, Mercer Mutual Ins Co, Mid Continent Group, Provident Mutual

 

OUR PRACTICE

Mr. Chance carefully served clients in southern New Jersey for over 60 years. In keeping with the continuity of the law firm, Keron D. Chance & Kevin P. McCann formed the partnership of Chance & McCann LLC in 1978. Practicing law for over 45 years, Kevin P. McCann is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney and a Certified Trial Advocate. In September 2007, our firm expanded the practice to Salem County and opened a second office in Woodstown, NJ

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