E746 VercammenLaw News

 

E746 VercammenLaw News 1 Photo Ken V with Mike Eruzione Captain of USA hockey team Miracle on Ice Olympic Hockey 1980  2  St. Thomas Aquinas Cross Country Team Undefeated Conference Champs to be inducted into St. Thomas Aquinas Athletic Hall of Fame. 3. What to do in an Accident and recovery for injured persons 4 Central Jersey St. Patrick parades & events 5 Congratulations to Prosecutor Jennifer A. Burgess  winner of the 2026 Municipal Court Practice Award Middlesex County Bar 6 NJ becomes latest state to legalize medical ‘Magic Mushroom’ therapy 7 No duty to a Non client & No Malpractice Claim from a Non-Client 1 Photo Ken V with Mike Eruzione Captain of USA hockey team Miracle on Ice Olympic Hockey 1980   February 22, 1980 was the Miracle on Ice, the greatest moment of 1980 ! I was a college athlete that year and the evil Russian/Soviets had invaded a neighboring country. The Miracle on Ice made us proud during the dark time when Iran held US hostages until Reagan took over for Carter. Watch Final Minute of the "Miracle on Ice" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYscemhnf88 Eruzione Miracle on Ice Also watch a great 14 minute clip on the greatest sports story in history, so proud of that team https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHtOUV8fPo8 2  St. Thomas Aquinas Cross Country Team Undefeated Conference Champs to be inducted into St. Thomas Aquinas Athletic Hall of Fame.  MATTHEW SILVESTRI Athletics Director  ST. THOMAS AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL... On behalf of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, it is my great honor and privilege to inform you that the 1975 Cross Country Team has been selected for induction into the St. Thomas Aquinas Athletic Hall of Fame. This recognition celebrates your outstanding accomplishments, dedication, and the lasting impact you made on Aquinas athletics. Your success during the 1975 season set a standard of excellence that continues to inspire our student-athletes today. More than wins and results, your teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship reflect the values that define St. Thomas Aquinas High School. The Athletic Hall of Fame induction is reserved for those individuals and teams whose achievements have made a meaningful contribution to our school’s proud athletic tradition. Your selection is a testament to the hard work, commitment, and legacy of the entire team. We are pleased to invite you to the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which will take place on Friday, April 17th, at the Metuchen Country Club. We kindly ask that you please share this information with all of your former teammates. A formal invitation with additional event details will be sent in the coming weeks. This special evening will allow us to celebrate your accomplishments alongside family, friends, alumni, and members of the Aquinas community. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor. Thank you for the legacy you have left at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. With sincere appreciation and congratulations,   MATTHEW SILVESTRI Athletics Director  ST. THOMAS AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL Edison, New Jersey  This featured the school’s first undefeated varsity team finishing with a 15-0 record.     The team was so strong they took top 4 runners in 13 out of 15 races, including winning the conference championship. Chris Heiser was the school’s first State champion. Fred Janiec won the county two mile. Ken Vercammen was a 3 time all conference runner and University of Scranton star.  Tom Kalanta won the 1/2 mile championship. Bob Horvath was conference 440 champ. Pete McEvoy, Gene Schreiner, Admiral Kevin Donegan Bob Dillon and Bill Bobowicz were among the other standouts. Many continued on to stellar collegiate careers. https://www.stahs.net/athletics/hall-of-fame https://www.facebook.com/events/1163543745858571 3. What to do in an Accident and recovery for injured persons Kenneth Vercammen & Associates Law Office helps people injured due to the negligence of others. We provide representation throughout New Jersey. The insurance companies will not help. Don't give up! Our Law Office can provide experienced attorney representation if you are injured. More info at http://www.njlaws.com/accident.htm/    We sincerely hope that you and your family will enjoy safe motoring, free from accident. If however you do have an accident, to protect your legal rights, the following suggestions may be helpful: At The Accident Scene - 1. Stop . . . do not leave the scene of the accident (a) DIRECT OTHER TRAFFIC around the accident. (b) HELP THE INJURED but don't move them unless absolutely necessary. (c) CALL THE POLICE, tell them where the accident occurred and ask for medical help if needed. 2. Photos of damage to your car Take  Photos of accident site Get names, addresses, and license numbers of all drivers involved. ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 3. Get description and registration number and insurance information of all cars involved. _____________________________________ License Plate Number ____________________________________ Registration # Make ___________ Year _________ ____________________________________ Damage ______________________________________________________ Insurance Company ____________________________________ Insurance Policy Number 4. Get names and addresses of all witnesses (other than passengers) _________________________________________________ Name _______________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________ Phone _____________________________________________ Name _______________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________ Phone 5. Police Officers __________________________________________________ Department ________________________________________________ Officer. _______________________________________________ Badge No. ____________________ Officer. ____________________ Badge No. 6. Accident Information ____________________ Date Time ____________________ Location ____________________ No. of vehicles involved ____________________ Weather ____________________ Road conditions ____________________ Damage ____________________ Speed of the other car 6. Summary of accident ____________________ 7. Diagram of accident 8. Make sure no one is injured. If anyone is injured call an ambulance. If you have any reason to suspect you were injured in the accident, see a physician promptly. You'll want it on record that you sought treatment right away - not in a week or so . 9. Witnesses will be a tremendous help to you in any subsequent court action, if there is any question of liability involved. Get the names and addresses of as many witnesses as possible. If they refuse to identify themselves, jot down the license plate numbers of the their automobiles. Do not discuss the accident with the witnesses. Do not give the witnesses to anyone but the police, your attorney or your insurance company. 10. Do not assign or accept blame for the accident. - The scene of the accident is not the place to determine fault. Discuss the accident only with the police, your attorney and with representatives of your insurance company. Give the other party only your driver’s license number, registration number and insurance information. - Be cooperative with the police. 11. Seek hospital attention. 12. Speak with your Doctor  13. Call your insurance company to report the accident. 14. Call: Kenneth A. Vercammen, Attorney At Law (732) 572-0500 When you need help the most, we will be ready to help you. 15. Never give a signed statement to the claims adjuster representing the other driver's insurance company. The same goes for a phone recording. They may be used against you in court. 16 . What you must always have in your car..... a.- Driver’s License b.- Car Registration c.- Insurance Card e.- A Working Pen f. – cell phone  (Ambulance/First Aid and Police) Copyright 2020 Vercammen Law 4 Central Jersey St. Patrick parades & events 2026 Ken V hopes to attend    March 1 Belmar St. Patrick Parade   Sun 12:30pm https://www.belmarparade.com Ken V will be marching with Friendly Sons of the  Shillelagh FSOS Belmar    March 8 Mt. Holly Burlington St Patrick parade & 5k Sat race 11am, parade 1pm     https://mounthollyparade.com March 9  Asbury Park St. Patrick Parade  [bring flask of Irish Coffee w Jamison if cold] @ 1:00 PM   Sunday,     http://asburyparkstpatricksparade.com Ken V will be marching with Friendly Sons of the  Shillelagh FSOS Belmar 3/14/26 North Myrtle Beach South Carolina St Patrick’s Parade  9am https://www.nmb.us/411/St-Patricks-Day-Parade-Festival Ken V will be marching with Friendly Sons of the  Shillelagh Carolinas March 28th, 2026 Keansburg St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday,  1pm kickoff https://keansburgnj.gov/keansburg-event/st-patricks-day-parade-march-26th-1pm/    Go to Half Moon     Other fun St. Patrick parades: 3/7/26 Ocean County/Seaside Heights  St Patrick Parade    Saturday  @ Noon  https://www.ocstpatricksdayparade.com/parade 3/13/26 Newark St. Patrick Parade   1pm  Friday https://www.facebook.com/groups/461283292161524 https://www.facebook.com/pg/NewarkParade/events/?ref=page_internal  Mar 17 NYC St Patrick parade 11am   https://www.nycstpatricksparade.org 3/15/26   So Amboy St. Patrick's Parade 2pm      Sunday          http://www.southamboyparade.com/ 3/21/26   Highlands St Patrick parade  2pm Saturday https://www.highlandsnj.com/Special_Events/St_Patricks_Day_Parade/St_Patricks_Day_Parade-page.shtml  Other parades 3/14/26 Union County St Patrick's Day Parade.    Parade steps off at 1PM. Saturday   https://unioncountyparade.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawP9Tq9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJLcEE1NGZIeVRia2RESXA2c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmLAKrCb4sklU7Pq4CPUZCD8ngbFFhWcEgyEPcyta2wAEUoc3n46Dr5h84_i_aem_u0qZXWB32beluRpJRpDeHQ   3/8/26  Woodbridge  St. Patrick's  Parade Same as Asbury              1:30 Sunday 3/21/26    Keyport St. Patrick Parade   1pm    https://www.facebook.com/p/Keyport-St-Patricks-Day-Parade-100063638707328/ 3/7/26 Guinness run Highlands   https://www.highlandsnj.com/Special_Events/Guinness_Run/GuinnessRun-page.shtml ___  ?Central Jersey Emerald Society Police bagpipes   https://www.facebook.com/cjpoliceemeraldsociety March __  Freehold St. Patrick's parade 12 noon   3/8/26 Rumson,   St. Patrick Parade & Festival  https://www.facebook.com/Rumsonstpats/photos/a.467232449983490.107380.467202036653198/1782068055166583/?type=1&theater 5 Congratulations to Prosecutor Jennifer A. Burgess  winner of the 2026 Municipal Court Practice Award Middlesex County Bar Previous Municipal Court Practice Award Winners                Mark Anderl   2025        Eric Morrell 2024          Prosecutor Lorraine Nielson 2023        Prosecutor Dave Spevack  2022 ·       Joseph S. Surman, Jr. - 2021 ·       Prosecutor Mark J. Cintron - 2020 Robert Adochio - 2019 Edward P. Shamy, Jr. - 2018 Tara Auciello - 2017 Prosecutor Joseph Lombardi – 2016 Jay Ziznewski - 2015 Renee Anthony (in memoriam) – 2014 James P. Durek – 2013 William G. Brigiani – 2012 Jeremy Solomon – 2011 Joshua Altman – 2010 Peter J. Hendricks – 2009 Kenneth A. Vercammen – 2008 James E. Trabilsy – 2007 Peter H. Lederman – 2006 6 NJ becomes latest state to legalize medical ‘Magic Mushroom’ therapy The law allows medical professionals to use the hallucinogenic compound found in some mushrooms to treat mental health disorders. Former Gov. Phil Murphy signed a new law in January legalizing the use of psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms, as a medical treatment. State Sen. Nicholas Scutari (NJ-22), the president of the New Jersey Senate, sponsored the now-law in the Legislature. He described it to News 12 as a "psilocybin behavioral health assessment and therapy pilot program...to study the efficacy of the psilocybin product." The law permits designated medical professionals in New Jersey to use the hallucinogenic compound found in some mushrooms as a treatment for mental health conditions. More info at https://newjersey.news12.com/nj-becomes-latest-state-to-legalize-medical-magic-mushroom-therapy 7 No duty to a Non client & No Malpractice Claim from a Non-Client No duty to a Non client Christakos v. . Boyadjis ·       The Supreme Court adopt the standard set forth in Section 51 of the Restatement (Third) of the Law Governing Lawyers for determining when an attorney owes a duty of care to a non-client.  ·       Here, the defendant attorney did not owe non-client plaintiff Helen Christakos a duty of care under either Section 51(2) or Section 51(3). Full opinion at Vercammen Law Probate Blog https://njprobate.blogspot.com/2026/02/no-duty-to-non-client-christakos-v.html

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E745 VercammenLaw News

 

E745 VercammenLaw News 1. For 2026, the Federal Estate and Gift tax lifetime exemption increased to $15 million per person  2. Valentine’s Day February 14 3. Congratulations to new Middlesex Superior Court Judges 4. Winter Will seminars. 5. Attorney General memo to Prosecutions for DWI Alcotest 9510 machines 1. For 2026, the Federal Estate and Gift tax lifetime exemption increased to $15 million per person  The Federal Estate Tax is a tax on your right to transfer property at your death. It consists of an accounting of everything you own or have Good news rich people        For 2026, the Federal Estate and Gift tax lifetime exemption is increased to $15 million per individual (and $30 million per married couple with proper planning).     The annual gift tax exclusion will remain at $19,000 per persont. Note, that does not apply to Medicaid, which permits no gifts. These changes were enacted by the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA), signed into law in July 2025, which made the increased exemption amounts permanent under current law and prevented a scheduled decrease.  This is actually good news, since in the prior decade the Estate tax started at $675,000 and many NJ estate were subject to high estate taxes. Few NJ estate now exceed $15,000,000. There is no Estate tax if assets are under $15,000,000 The fair market value of these items is used, not necessarily what you paid for them or what their values were when you acquired them. The total of all of these items is your "Gross Estate." The includible property may consist of cash and securities, real estate, insurance, trusts, annuities, business interests and other assets. Once you have accounted for the Gross Estate, certain deductions (and in special circumstances, reductions to value) are allowed in arriving at your "Taxable Estate." These deductions may include mortgages and other debts, estate administration expenses, property that passes to surviving spouses and qualified charities. The value of some operating business interests or farms may be reduced for estates that qualify. After the net amount is computed, the value of lifetime taxable gifts (beginning with gifts made in 1977) is added to this number and the tax is computed. The tax is then reduced by the available unified credit. Most relatively simple estates (cash, publicly traded securities, small amounts of other easily valued assets, and no special deductions or elections, or jointly held property) do not require the filing of an estate tax return. A filing is required for estates with combined gross assets and prior taxable gifts exceeding the Estate Tax amount [$15,000,000] Since January 1, 2011, estates of decedents survived by a spouse may elect to pass any of the decedent’s unused exemption to the surviving spouse. This election is made on a timely filed estate tax return for the decedent with a surviving spouse. Note that simplified valuation provisions apply for those estates without a filing requirement absent the portability election.  More info at https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estate-tax   2. Valentine’s Day February 14 - You have loved ones. Do estate planning for those you love Thomas Begley Esq wrote for Valentine's Day, we remind you to protect your loved ones by planning for the future. Estate and financial planning will ensure that your health care and financial goals are met if you should become incapacitated or after you pass away. It will provide peace of mind to you and your family.          Regardless of your net worth, if you are over eighteen, it's important to have a basic estate plan in place. A basic estate plan should include a Will, a Power of Attorney, and an advance directive (Living Will with health care proxy). Estate planning may also include trusts which enable you to put conditions on how and when your assets will be distributed upon your death. To learn more about estate planning, please read www.njlaws.com/wills.html  3. Congratulations to new Middlesex Superior Court Judges Hon. James Hoebich JSC [previously our Judge in Metuchen Court, New Brunswick Court, Piscataway Court Hon. William Waldron JSC [U of Scranton grad and Delaware Law School grad and past Metuchen Councilman] Hon. Falguni Patel JSC [Middlesex County Asst Prosecutor Hon. Jacqueline Boulos JSC Hon. Adam Kenny JSC    Congratulations to new Civil Presiding Judge: Hon. Bruce J. Kaplan.   and congrats to Hon James Pastor to Ocean County Bench [previously Carteret Judge]         Welcome back Judge Dennis V. Nieves: Retired judge recalled to service in the Civil and Criminal Divisions, effective Jan 13, 2026. 4. Winter Will seminars. Piscataway Library Wills, Estate Planning & Probate seminar February 10, 2026  Piscataway Public Library Kennedy Branch 500 Hoes Lane  Wills, Probate & Estate Planning update   East Brunswick Library -Live in person & Zoom February 25, 2026 Wednesday, at 6pm There are no others for 2026. 5. Attorney General memo to Prosecutions for DWI Alcotest 9510 machines       The following instructions apply to all prosecutions utilizing the Alcotest 9510 breath-testing instrument to determine an individual’s blood alcohol content (“BAC”). Previously Stayed Cases       Pursuant to the Supreme Court’s Order, dated December 19, 2025, the limited stay of 9510 DWI matters is lifted, and all matters should proceed in the normal course, including prosecutions relying on Alcotest 9510 readings.      The Law Remains Unchanged              The Supreme Court dismissed the reliability challenge to the Alcotest 9510 presented in State v. Cunningham after defendant moved to withdraw her motion for a reliability hearing, and no other defendant or amici was willing to serve as the named party in the case. Therefore, prosecutors should continue to rely on prior precedent, including State v. Chun, 194 N.J. 54 (2008) (upholding established principles of breath testing generally, and the reliability of the Alcotest 7110 specifically), and State v. Olenowski, 253 N.J. 133 (2023) (clarifying legal framework for challenges to reliability of novel scientific evidence in the criminal context).       Prosecutors seeking to admit breath-testing results from an Alcotest 9510 system should proceed in the normal manner, establishing that: (1) the instrument was in proper working order at the time of the test; (2) that the operator was certified; and (3) that the test was administered according to official procedure. Chun, 194 N.J. at 54 (citing Romano v. Kimmelman, 96 N.J. 66, 81 (1984)). The State shall offer into evidence the most recent certification report prior to a defendant’s test, including control tests, linearity tests, the parameter report, wet and dry adjust, cylinder installation reports, all certificates of analysis for the simulator solution, simulator, dry gas, and barometer, the instrument certificate of accuracy, and the credentials of the coordinator who performed the certification. See Chun, 194 N.J. at 154. Future Reliability Challenges              The upgrade from the Alcotest 7110 to the Alcotest 9510 does not change the Supreme Court’s historic acceptance of breath testing as a reliable means of determining an individual’s blood alcohol content. Despite that fact, defendant Cunningham and amici initially sought to challenge the reliability of the Alcotest 9510 instrument specifically; however, the matter was dismissed before any challenges specific to the instrument were heard. If there are future Daubert-Olenowski challenges to the reliability of the Alcotest 9510 specifically, the State will continue to seek to consolidate those challenges to be heard at a Statewide level.                      Accordingly, any prosecutor handling a DWI matter in which the defendant files a Daubert-Olenowski motion, or is informed that such a motion will be forthcoming, must immediately communicate that fact to their County Prosecutors Office Municipal Prosecutor Liaison, who is to then notify the Division of Criminal Justice.                    Prosecutors should also inform their court that the challenge will be forwarded to the Division of Criminal Justice for review and consideration for a motion for direct certification. It is possible that such defendants may become named defendants in a reliability hearing before the Supreme Court and likely a Special Adjudicator. In order to prevent undue delay or inefficiency, prosecutors should advise defendants pursuing such motions that the Supreme Court in Cunningham repeatedly held that the defense was responsible for its own litigation expenses, including the cost of any defense expert witnesses the defense believed necessary to support its motion. Full Attorney General memo at: https://www.blogger.com/blog/posts/38696672

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