Skip Probate Entirely
Assets transfer immediately to beneficiaries without court involvement, saving months or years of legal proceedings.
HOUSE CALLS AVAILABLE - We Come to You
Expert Trusts Lawyer NJ
Keep Your Family's Inheritance Private and Protected
Without proper trust planning, your family's financial details become public court records. Your loved ones could wait months or years to receive their inheritance while paying expensive legal fees. Trusts keep everything private and immediate.
*No-obligation consultation - we explain your options with no pressure to proceed
Trusted By Clients Throughout New Jersey
- 10+ Years Experience
- JAG Army Reserve Captain
Hear From Our Clients
I had the pleasure of working with Mark Bittner for my international estate planning, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. Mark handled my case with exceptional expertise, particularly in navigating the complexities of a specific legal matter involving cross-border asset distribution. His deep knowledge of international estate law was evident, as he provided clear, well-informed guidance that made a potentially overwhelming process feel manageable and secure. Mark's professionalism is unmatched — he was incredibly responsive, promptly addressing every question and concern I had, no matter how small. He took the time to truly listen, showing genuine empathy and understanding of my unique circumstances, which made me feel valued and supported throughout the entire process. His attention to detail and ability to explain complex legal concepts in an approachable way gave me complete confidence in his counsel. Beyond his technical expertise, Mark's warm and professional demeanor made working with him a pleasure. He is a rare combination of being highly skilled and empathy, ensuring that every step of the process was handled with precision and compassion. If you're looking for a lawyer who will go above and beyond, I wholeheartedly recommend Mark Bittner for any estate planning or legal needs. He is, without a doubt, a five-star professional.
Excellent service, worked with us and accommodated our difficult schedule. Went out of his way to make sure our estate matters were handled.
Why Smart Families Choose Trusts Over Simple Wills
Trusts provide privacy, control, and protection that basic wills simply cannot offer. Here's what you gain with proper trust planning:
Protect Your Assets and Avoid Probate. Start with a Free Trust Consultation.
Trusts offer powerful advantages for your family. Speak with our experienced New Jersey attorney to simplify your options with zero pressure.
Complete Trust Solutions for Every Family
With 10+ years of estate planning experience, we create customized trust strategies that protect your assets and provide for your loved ones
Revocable Living Trust
The most popular trust option that allows you to maintain control during your lifetime while avoiding probate and providing incapacity protection.
- Avoid probate entirely
- Maintain full control during life
- Incapacity planning included
- Privacy protection
- Easy to modify or revoke
- Immediate asset transfer at death
Key benefit: Your family receives assets immediately without waiting months for probate court approval or paying expensive probate fees.
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust
Removes life insurance proceeds from your taxable estate while providing liquidity to pay estate taxes and support your beneficiaries.
- Estate tax reduction
- Creditor protection for proceeds
- Generation-skipping benefits
- Structured distributions
- Asset protection planning
- Tax-free wealth transfer
Tax savings: Can save wealthy families hundreds of thousands in estate taxes while ensuring life insurance benefits are protected from creditors.
Special Needs Trust
Provides financial support for disabled family members while preserving their eligibility for government benefits like Medicaid and SSI.
- Preserve government benefits
- Supplement care needs
- Professional trustee options
- Flexible distribution terms
- Long-term care planning
- Family peace of mind
Protection: Without this, an inheritance could disqualify your disabled loved one from essential government benefits they depend on.
Asset Protection Trust
Advanced trust planning that shields your wealth from creditors, lawsuits, and other financial threats while maintaining some access to assets.
- Creditor protection
- Lawsuit shielding
- Professional management
- Tax optimization
- Succession planning
- Multi-generational benefits
Security: Ideal for business owners, professionals, and high-net-worth individuals who face increased liability risks in their careers.
Our Bulletproof Trust Creation Process
We make it simple, fast, and legally ironclad so your family never faces uncertainty
1
Comprehensive Planning Session
We analyze your assets, family situation, and goals to determine the optimal trust structure for your needs.
2
Custom Trust Drafting
We create a tailored trust document with all necessary provisions, successor trustees, and distribution instructions.
3
Review & Signing
You review the trust document, we answer questions, make adjustments, then handle proper execution and notarization.
4
Trust Funding & Setup
We guide you through transferring assets into the trust and provide ongoing support to ensure everything is properly managed.
Common Trust Questions Answered
Understanding how trusts work and whether they're right for your situation
How much money do I need to justify a trust?
While there's no strict minimum, trusts typically make sense for estates over $100,000 or families with specific needs like minor children, disabled beneficiaries, or privacy concerns. The probate savings alone often justify the cost.
Can I still control my assets after creating a trust?
With a revocable living trust, you maintain complete control. You can buy, sell, modify, or even revoke the trust entirely during your lifetime. You're typically both the grantor and trustee.
What's the difference between revocable and irrevocable trusts?
Revocable trusts can be changed or cancelled and avoid probate but offer limited tax benefits. Irrevocable trusts cannot be easily changed but provide tax advantages and asset protection from creditors.
How does a trust avoid probate?
Assets titled in the trust's name aren't considered part of your personal estate when you die. The successor trustee can immediately distribute assets according to your instructions without court involvement.
What happens if I don't fund my trust properly?
Unfunded trusts don't work. Assets not transferred into the trust will still go through probate. We provide detailed funding guidance and can help transfer real estate, accounts, and other assets into your trust.
Do I still need a will if I have a trust?
Yes, you need a "pour-over" will to catch any assets accidentally left out of the trust and to name guardians for minor children. The will and trust work together as a complete estate plan.
We offer free initial consultations for all our practice areas. During this meeting, we'll review your situation, discuss your legal options, and provide an honest assessment of your case. There's no obligation to hire us, and you'll leave with a clear understanding of your legal position.
Our civil litigation practice covers contract disputes, business litigation, employment disputes, property conflicts, insurance claims, and professional liability matters. We represent clients in both state and federal courts, handling everything from complex commercial disputes to personal legal matters requiring courtroom advocacy.