Joseph M Hoffmann Law Office

GRITS, GRATS and QPRITS are all acronyms (names) for some of the available special-planning techniques used by our office to minimize federal estate taxes. For example, a "QPRIT" is a "Qualified Personal Residence Trust". It reflects a planning technique permitted under sections of the Internal Revenue Gift and Estate Tax Code to allow part of the value of up to two homes to be excluded from your taxable estate.

We enable a separate list to give family heirlooms to the people you love, without changing your Will. We can set up your plan so that your family does not have to go through a complex estate administration or purchase any bonding. We make sure that your documents are properly signed notarized and finalized and that you know how to keep and use them.

We meet with you and answer all of your questions about corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnership so that you can choose the proper new format for your business. We give you written guidance and a checklist so that you can focus on forming your entity and avoiding mistakes. We also talk with your accountant if needed.

YES! New Jersey law now allows people to set up a "Pet Trust" to take care of their domesticated animals after they're gone. The pet trust can be set up as a separate written document or a part of your Will or estate plan. One person can serve both functions and we recommend you consider providing for alternates.

The King could do no wrong and no one could rule against him. Until recently, all legal systems had the "Doctrine of sovereign immunity." Simply stated, it said you cannot sue any government authority, entity, board or municipality for any wrongdoing. New Jersey did not change this law until 1972 when it adopted the "Tort Claims Act."