META LAW LLC, ESTATE PLANNING LAW FIRM
META LAW, ESTATE PLANNING LAW FIRM
Wills + Trusts
Secure your legacy and protect your loved ones with thoughtful estate planning. Our firm is here to guide you through the journey of preserving your assets, ensuring your wishes are honored, and providing peace of mind for the future.
Meta Law is an estate planning law firm serving Northern New Jersey, including Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Morris Counties and surrounding areas, as well as the DFW metro area in Texas and Los Angeles, California and surrounding areas.
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Based in Bergen County, New Jersey, Meta Law LLC (formerly the Lee Law Group, PC) began operations in 2007. Owner, Charles Lee, grew up in Bergen County and currently resides in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, with his wife, Soo, and their two children.
Contact
Location
43 Yawpo Ave.
Suite 6
Oakland, NJ 07436
EDUCATION
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University of Illinois School of Law, L.L.M. Estate Planning (2018)
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Seton Hall Law School, J.D. (1998)
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Lafayette College, B.A. (1994)
PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE
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New Jersey State Bar
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California State Bar
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Texas State Bar
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American Bar Association
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Bergen County Bar Association
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Notary Public (New Jersey)
PERSONAL
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Coaching Junior Golfers
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Other interests include fishing, golf, hunting and watersports.
Areas of Practice
WILLS
A will, also known as a last will and testament, is a legal document that outlines a person's wishes regarding the distribution of their assets and the care of their minor children (if any) after their death. The individual creating the will is referred to as the "testator" or "testatrix" if female.
Key elements typically included in a will are:
1. Appointment of an Executor/Personal Representative: This person is responsible for ensuring that the instructions in the will are carried out and for managing the estate during the probate process.
2. Distribution of Assets: The will specifies how the testator's property, money, and possessions are to be distributed among beneficiaries. Beneficiaries are the individuals or entities named to receive these assets.
3. Guardianship of Minor Children: If the testator has minor children, the will may designate a guardian to take care of them in the event of the testator's death.
4. Debts and Taxes: The will may address how debts and taxes should be handled from the assets of the estate.
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Creating a will is an important aspect of estate planning, and it allows individuals to have control over the disposition of their assets and the well-being of their dependents after they pass away.
POWERS OF ATTORNEY
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that grants someone else the authority to act on your behalf in legal, financial, or healthcare matters. The person creating the power of attorney is known as the "principal," and the individual appointed to act on their behalf is the "agent" or "attorney-in-fact."
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Creating a power of attorney allows individuals to plan for unforeseen circumstances and ensure that someone they trust can make decisions on their behalf.
LIVING WILLS
A living will is a legal document that outlines an individual's preferences regarding medical treatment in the event they become unable to communicate or make decisions about their own healthcare. It typically specifies the types of medical interventions and life-sustaining treatments the person wishes to receive or avoid, such as the use of ventilators, resuscitation efforts, or artificial nutrition.
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The purpose of a living will is to guide healthcare providers and loved ones in making medical decisions on behalf of the individual when they are incapacitated. It helps ensure that the person's wishes regarding end-of-life care are respected and followed.
TRUSTS
A trust is a legal arrangement in which one party, known as the "settlor" or "grantor," transfers assets to another party, known as the "trustee." The trustee holds and manages these assets for the benefit of a third party, known as the "beneficiary" or beneficiaries. Trusts are commonly used for estate planning, as they provide a means to distribute and manage assets outside of the probate process.
There are different types of trusts, and they can serve various purposes, including:
1. Living Trust (Revocable Trust): This trust is created during the settlor's lifetime and can be altered or revoked by the settlor. It allows for the seamless transfer of assets to beneficiaries without the need for probate.
2. Irrevocable Trust: Once established, an irrevocable trust cannot be altered or revoked without the consent of the beneficiaries. This type of trust is often used for specific estate planning goals, such as reducing estate taxes or protecting assets from creditors.
3. Testamentary Trust: Created through a person's will and comes into effect after the person's death. It allows for the distribution of assets over time or under specific conditions.
4. Charitable Trust: Designed to benefit a charitable organization or cause. It may provide income to the donor during their lifetime, with the remaining assets going to the designated charity upon the donor's death.
5. Special Needs Trust: Created to provide for the financial needs of a person with disabilities without jeopardizing their eligibility for government assistance programs.
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Trusts offer advantages such as privacy, flexibility, and the ability to plan for specific circumstances. They can also be used to minimize estate taxes and protect assets from certain legal challenges.
REAL ESTATE DEEDS
A real estate deed is a legal document that serves as evidence of the transfer of ownership or interest in real property from one party to another. It is a written instrument that outlines the details of the property transfer, including the names of the parties involved (grantor and grantee), a legal description of the property, and any conditions or covenants associated with the transfer.
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Real estate deeds play a crucial role in establishing and maintaining a clear chain of title, which is essential for the transfer and financing of real property. They provide a legal framework for documenting ownership changes and help protect the interests of both buyers and sellers in real estate transactions.