2053 Woodbridge Avenue - Edison, NJ 08817

Thursday, June 30, 2011

371 1. You are invited to Ken Vercammen's Annual Summer Happy Hour, Friday, July 8 · 5:00pm - 7:00pm 2. Belmar 5 fun teams July 9, 2011 8:30 3.

NJ Laws Email Newsletter E371
Kenneth Vercammen, Attorney at Law

June 29, 2011

Office Phone Number:


(732) 572-0500

www.njlaws.com

In This Issue:

1. You are invited to Ken Vercammen's Annual Summer Happy Hour,

Friday, July 8 · 5:00pm - 7:00pm

2. Belmar 5 fun teams July 9, 2011 8:30

3. On DWI court can weigh mitigating and aggravating.

4. Defendant entitled to PCR hearing on whether they the court advised of deportation consequences.

5. Don't always put Pod on bank accounts. Avoid This Common Banking Error By Tom Begley III


1. You are invited to Ken Vercammen's Annual Summer Happy Hour

Friday, July 8 · 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Bar Anticipation

703 16th Avenue

Belmar, NJ

This is the 35th Annual Vercammen Summer Blast

Free Food 5-7 Hot & Cold Buffet with carving station

$1.00 Drafts 6-7 [need special wrist band from Ken V]

Games & prizes

We will be at outside bar #1 in the back, near cabana 1, not far from outdoor band duo called the Toxic Twins, who play 5-9

Hydrate for Belmar 5 mile Race the next day

- Meet the "SuperLawyers" of NJ

This is open to your friends. If attending email Ken's Law Office so we can put your name on the list for wristbands:VercammenLaw@Njlaws.com

- Appearances by the "Legends of Belmar" and Janet Vercammen of Ohio

After Happy Hour, join us outside at Cabana #1, VIP area

More details at:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=206188099419852

2. Belmar 5 fun teams July 9, 2011 8:30

Kenneth Vercammen is again putting together 5 teams of both competitive and non- competitive runners. If you can finish 5 miles in less than 1 hour, you can be on our teams of fun.

Our winning teams in 2010 won free beer tickets. Individual Application online at: http://www.belmar5.com/belmar.pdf

or go to: http://Active.com

The name of Ken's teams are US Olympic Development 1, RVRR Beer Mile Champs, and US Olympic Development 3 [ just trying to finish] and our masters, known as "The Legends of Belmar". We will have runners from several running clubs, including RVRR. JSRC, CJRR & Sandy Hooker Tri Club and Rumson Hash.

You do not need to be a member of USATF or any club to be on a team. We would like 30 people of different abilities.

Post Race Activities -

Enjoy a complimentary massage and stop by the sponsor and merchant tables in Silver Lake Park, for sampling and giveaways.

Team awards, music and Beach party, after the race at Bar Anticipation.

Bring your Belmar Five Mug - mug discounts all day after the Race!

Bar Anticipation - 703 16th Avenue, Lake Como (formerly South Belmar)

If you have or will enter the Belmar 5, email Ken V at KenV@njlaws.com

Call Kenneth Vercammen at 732-572-0500

More details on Belmar 5 at http://www.belmar5.com/

3. On DWI court can weigh mitigating and aggravating. State v Henry ____NJ Super. ____ (Law Div. 2011) Mercer Municipal Appeal 2010-16

In determining the term of incarceration for a defendant convicted of a second DUI offense, the court held that aggravating and mitigating factors prescribed by the Criminal Code, N.J.S.A. 2C: 44-1, if appropriately tailored, provide an appropriate guide for the exercise of sentencing discretion, although the factors are not mandated. The court also held that a driver's extremely high blood-alcohol level may be considered an aggravating factor, and does not constitute impermissible double counting of an element of the offense. The court also held that a probationary sentence conditioned on a jail term is authorized by N.J.S.A. 39:5-7, so long as the court imposes at least the mandatory custodial term under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50. 2/10/2011

Source: dailybriefing@njsba-njldailybriefing.com

4. Defendant entitled to PCR hearing on whether they the court advised of deportation consequences. State v Gaitan419 NJ Super. 365 (App. Div. 2011)

Defendant filed a petition for post-conviction relief, arguing his attorney failed to discuss with him the deportation consequences of his guilty plea. The trial judge denied the petition, concluding without the benefit of an evidentiary hearing that defendant's responses to the plea form as well as his testimony at the plea hearing demonstrated he understood the deportation consequences. In reversing that determination, the court also considered the impact of Padilla v. Kentucky, 559 U.S. __, 130 S. Ct. 1473, and State v. Nuñez-Valdéz,200 N.J. 129 (2009), both of which were decided after defendant pled guilty and after his PCR petition was denied.

The court recognized that certain aspects of Padilla -- namely, it's holding that counsel's failure to give any deportation advice is no different than the rendering of bad deportation advice, and its holding that the direct/collateral methodology regarding deportation advice had never applied to Sixth Amendment claims of ineffectiveness -- did not create new rules insofar as the Sixth Amendment is concerned. Because defendant was entitled to the benefit of that federal rule, the argument that Nuñez-Valdéz's rejection of the direct/collateral methodology as a matter of New Jersey constitutional law constituted a new rule was irrelevant in determining whether defendant received the effective assistance of counsel when he pled guilty.

These immigration cases have accounted for more than half of all new prosecution.

For more information: http://www.njcrimmigration.com


5. Don't always put Pod on bank accounts. Avoid This Common Banking Error By Tom Begley III

Many people make mistakes in titling bank and investment accounts. Often advisors and bankers counsel customers to "put your child's name on the account" or to set the account up as a "pay on death" (POD) account. However well-intentioned the advice, the results of either approach to titling an account can be surprising and unpleasant. Good intentions do not make good advice.

The Allure of Joint and POD Accounts

Often the attraction is probate avoidance. Either a joint account with survivorship features or a POD account will pass as a nonprobate asset and avoid a state-mandated probate process, which can in exceptional cases take several months to a year or longer.

For joint accounts, the attraction is often convenience. Unlike a POD account, during the parent's lifetime a joint account holder has immediate co-ownership rights, and, thus, immediate access to the account. An older person may feel better knowing that a trusted son or daughter has immediate access to an account "in case something happens."

The Dangers of Joint and POD Accounts

If the POD or joint account payee is a child with disabilities, the result could be terrible for the child upon the parent's death because the receipt of the account could jeopardize continuing qualification for public benefits such as Medicaid or SSI.

There are other compelling reasons why a joint account may not be the proper approach:


The co-owner child now owns the account as much as the parent. What if the child is sued? What if the child goes through a messy divorce? Or what if the IRS takes a keen interest in the child's affairs? Those events happen to the best of children; nevertheless, in those cases the joint account will be presumed to be owned by the child.

Another problem is that the co-owner/child's sibling may be out of luck. This happens all the time. For example, Mom wanted the kids to share equally, but after Mom is gone Sis suddenly recalls that Mom wanted her to have the accounts since she "was the one who always helped Mom." Because Sis was a co-owner of Mom's accounts and likely had survivorship rights, she owns the accounts now. Usually there is nothing the rest of the family can do about it, even with legal assistance.

A Better Way

If the goal is asset management in the event the owner becomes incapacitated, one effective approach is a properly drafted power of attorney.

A power of attorney has nothing to do with appointing lawyers. The word "attorney" has its roots in an old French Norman word for "legal substitute." A power of attorney is simply a document signed by someone called the "principal" appointing an "attorney-in-fact" or "agent" to manage some or all of the principal's financial and business affairs.

The terms of the power of attorney document control what the agent may, or may not, do. If the document covers a broad spectrum of duties, then it is a "general" power of attorney. An agent can be given very broad powers, but if that makes the principal nervous, the instrument can require the agent to secure some other person's permission before use. (Note: Many banks and financial institutions prefer to use their own POA forms, but a growing number of states have laws requiring the institutions to accept other, often attorney-drafted, power of attorney documents.)

If the goal is to avoid probate upon death of the account owner, the better approach may be a revocable or living trust. The assets in the trust will avoid probate. In fact, a revocable trust can also assist in post-incapacity management of the person's assets because a successor trustee named in the trust agreement can step in to handle continuing management of all assets held in the trust. Moreover, in contrast to the unlimited access of a joint account co-owner who may have issues with his own creditors, the assets in the trust are protected from the trustee's creditors.

Finally, all of the above considerations especially apply if the parent has a child with disabilities. There will rarely, if ever, be an appropriate time to name a child with disabilities as the co-owner of a joint account or the beneficiary of a POD account. Carefully consider using a special needs trust, either under a will, as part of a revocable trust, or created as a separate trust document, to hold that child's intended inheritance. Properly drafted, the special needs trust assets will not jeopardize the child's continuing eligibility for various public benefits.

Here's the point: Do not put your children on the accounts as a joint owner. Instead, execute a power of attorney that grants appropriate sorts of powers to an agent whom you completely trust to assume the day to day responsibility for managing your financial and business affairs when and if needed. Alternatively, consider a revocable trust. In the meantime, keep the accounts in your name.

The downside to the advice given here: Some fees to a lawyer. The upside: You may avoid a train wreck.

About this Newsletter: We hope you find this newsletter useful and informative, but it is not the same as legal counsel. A free newsletter is ultimately worth everything it costs you; you rely on it at your own risk. Good legal advice includes a review of all of the facts of your situation, including many that may at first blush seem to you not to matter. The plan it generates is sensitive to your goals and wishes while taking into account a whole panoply of laws, rules and practices, many not published. That is what The Special Needs Alliance is all about. Contact information for a member in your state may be obtained by calling toll-free (877) 572-8472, or by visiting the Special Needs Alliance online.

Editorial Assistance provided by Hetal Patel. Ms. Patel will be entering her second year of law school at New York Law School and is currently participating in our Kenneth Vercammen's summer internship program.

E371


Wednesday, June 22, 2011

E370 1. Recent Cases: Provisional Decal Legal. 2. On DWI, Court can Weigh Mitigating Factors. 3. Upcoming Events

NJ Laws Email Newsletter E370
Kenneth Vercammen, Attorney at Law

June 15, 2011

Office Phone Number:


(732) 572-0500

www.njlaws.com

In This Issue:

1. Recent Cases: Provisional Decal Legal.

2. On DWI, Court can Weigh Mitigating Factors.

3. Upcoming Events


1. Provisional Decal Legal. Trautmann v Christie ____ NJ Super. ____ (App. Div. 2011) A-3139-09T3

This appeal challenges Chapter 37 of the Laws of 2009 which requires a driver under the age of twenty-one who holds a permit or provisional license to display a decal so indicating on the automobile he or she drives. The court held that a person's age or age group is not "personal information" protected under the Federal Drivers Privacy Protection Act, 18 U.S.C.S. §§ 2721-2725 and that Chapter 37 is therefore not preempted by the federal act. The court also rejects allegations that Chapter 37 violates the affected driver's rights to equal protection and freedom from unreasonable search and seizure.

02-22-11 Source:dailybriefing@njsba-njldailybriefing.com

2. On DWI, Court can Weigh Mitigating and Aggravating Factors. State v Henry ____NJ Super. ____ (Law Div. 2011) Mercer Municipal Appeal 2010-16

In determining the term of incarceration for a defendant convicted of a second DUI offense, the court held that aggravating and mitigating factors prescribed by the Criminal Code, N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1, if appropriately tailored, provide an appropriate guide for the exercise of sentencing discretion, although the factors are not mandated. The court also held that a driver's extremely high blood-alcohol level may be considered an aggravating factor, and does not constitute impermissible double counting of an element of the offense. The court also held that a probationary sentence conditioned on a jail term is authorized by N.J.S.A. 39:5-7, so long as the court imposes at least the mandatory custodial term under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.

2/10/2011 Source:dailybriefing@njsba-njldailybriefing.com

3. Upcoming Events:

Join us at the Next exciting events. If you can't run or swim you can volunteer

June 17, 2011

Sandy Hookers Triathlon Club Friday night swims at Pier Village, Long Branch then snacks afterwards only $1.00

June 18, 2011

Long Branch Sprint Triathlon Series-1 .5k swim, 9.5 mile bike, 3 mile run 6:45am Long Branch NJ 732-614-6028 Sandyhookers.org

George Sheehan Classic 5 mile 5M, 8:30 Red Bank jsrc.org

June 19, 2011

Happy Father's Dad to my Dad, veteran of Korean War, past president Metuchen First Aid, Senior marcher of Edison Elks in Wildwood Patriotism parade

June 20, 2011

PRESIDENT'S CUP NIGHT RACE, 5K, 8pm, Charlie Browns, Millburn Free beer, big post race party

June 24, 2011

Will seminar at Ken's office

June 25, 2011

Rumson 10 mile, 10 bar Long Branch to Belmar This is not a race. You run, bike or walk 10 miles to between 10-13 bars. Cheap beer Finish at Bar A

June 26, 2011

Yankees Old Timers Day

June 28, 2011

Tuesday night Raritan Valley Road Runners RVRR 5k summer series New Brunswick Buccleuch Park 7pm

June 29, 2011

RVRR pub crawl New Brunswick

July 8, 2011

Vercammen Summer Happy Hour

The 35th Annual Vercammen Summer Blast

Free Food 5-7 Hot & Cold Buffet with carving station

$1.00 Drafts 6-7 [need special wrist band from Ken V]

Games & prizes

We will be at outside bar #1 in the back, near cabana 1, not far from outdoor band duo called the Toxic Twins, who play 5-9

Hydrate for Belmar 5 mile Race the next day

- Meet the "SuperLawyers" of NJ

This is open to your friends. Please if attending also email Ken's Law Office at VercammenLaw@NJLaws.com so we can put your name on the list for wristbands

Appearances by the "Legends of Belmar" and Senator Vercammen

Bar Anticipation

703 16th Avenue

Belmar, NJ

July 9, 2011

Belmar Five Mile Run 5 mile, 8:30am Belmar NJ 732-571-2162 free food at Bar a after race and reduced price beer Contact Ken to join our teams. We need 20 runners who can break 40 minutes for 5 mile. jsrc.org

Editorial Assistance provided by Roman Guzik. Mr. Guzik will be entering his second year of law school at Rutgers - Newark School of Law and is currently participating in our Kenneth Vercammen's summer internship program.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

E369 1. Recent Cases: Person Living in Home as Guest could be Household Member under Domestic Violence Act. 2. Unsigned Confession can be used to Refr

NJ Laws Email Newsletter E369
Kenneth Vercammen, Attorney at Law

June 1, 2011

Office Phone Number:


(732) 572-0500

www.njlaws.com

In This Issue:

1. Recent Cases: Person Living in Home as Guest could be Household Member under Domestic Violence Act.

2. Unsigned Confession can be used to Refresh Witness during Trial.

3. 2011 Update Wills and Estate Planning- Free Lunch & Law Seminar.

4. Welcome Summer Law Students.

5. If You Are Hurt In An Accident, We Can Help.Motion to Suppress Granted when Police did not Obtain Telephonic Search Warrant for Car.




Recent Cases:

1. Person Living in Home as Guest could be Household Member under Domestic Violence Act. S.Z. v M.C. 617 NJ Super. 627 (App. Div. 2011)

The court reverse the trial court and find jurisdiction under the "household member" provision of the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act in a situation where the male defendant was a guest in the male plaintiff's home, living with plaintiff and his wife and children for seven months. While living with plaintiff, defendant allegedly climbed a ladder placed against the home to peep through a window at plaintiff coming out of the show the court. Ten months after being thrown out of the home, defendant allegedly follow the court plaintiff and planted a secret camera in plaintiff's truck to surreptitiously record him. Although the two men never had a traditional familial, romantic or sexual relationship, the court find that neither the incompatible sexual orientations.

2. Unsigned Confession can be used to Refresh Witness during Trial. State v. Gore 205 NJ 363 (A-77-09)

State v. Cleveland, 6 N.J., 316 (1951), is superseded by the New Jersey Rules of Evidence. Rule 803(c)(5) permits the admission of a defendant's unsigned and unacknowledged transcribed statement, used to refresh a witness' memory as past recollection recorded, provided there is no objection and all foundational requirements, including Rule 803(b)(1), are satisfied. Although the trial court erroneously permitted the formal confession statement to be moved into evidence after the record had closed, plain error does not exist because there is no reasonable likelihood that admission of the statement caused the jury to reach a conclusion that it otherwise would not have reached.

2011 Update Wills and Estate Planning- Free Lunch & Law Seminar

WHEN: Friday June 24, 2011 12:15-1:00 PM

WHERE: Law Office of Kenneth Vercammen, 2053 Woodbridge Ave, Edison, NJ 08817

Invited: Clients, Friends, Seniors, Accountants, CPA's, Financial Planners, Insurance Producers, Nursing Home Administrators, Hospital and Nursing Home Social Workers

COST: Free if you pre-register. Please bring a canned food donation, which will be given to the St. James Food Bank located on Woodbridge Avenue in Edison, NJ. Please email us if you plan on attending or if you would like us to email the materials. Complimentary Sandwiches and materials provided at 12:00 sharp. We previously held this seminar for the Metuchen and Edison Adult schools. This program is limited to 15 people. Re-scheduled from the January 12 snow cancellation.

SPEAKER: Kenneth Vercammen, Esq.

(Author- Answers to Questions About Probate)

The new NJ Probate Law made a number of substantial changes in Probate and the administration of estates and trusts in New Jersey.

Main Topics:

1. The New Probate Law and preparation of Wills

2. 2011 changes in Federal Estate and Gift Tax

3. NJ Inheritance taxes on estates over $675,000

4. Power of Attorney

5. Living Will

6. Administering the Estate/ Probate/Surrogate

7. Question and Answer

COMPLIMENTARY MATERIAL: Brochures on Wills, "Answers to Questions about Probate" and Administration of an Estate, Power of Attorney, Living Wills, Real Estate Sales for Seniors, and Trusts.

Co-Sponsor: Middlesex County Estate Planning Council

To attend or for Information: Mike McDonald 732-572-0500

or email VercammenLaw@njlaws.com

4. Welcome Summer Law Students:

Kenneth Vercammen and Associates welcomes the following summer law students who are workings on Public Defender matters, community seminars, and are updating the Public Defender's Criminal Article Blog:

Ashley Kolata will be entering her second year at Rutgers School of Law in Newark, NJ and obtained her M.A. from the University of Wisconsin. She also has participated in the Street Law Program in Newark NJ, teaching legal concepts to high school students.

Roman Guzik will also be entering his second year at Rutgers University School of Law in Newark, NJ. He received his B.S. at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY, New York, NY and has obtained ALS Legal Certification.

Matthew Sheptuk will be entering his second year at Georgetown University Law School. Mr. Sheptuk received his B.A. in American Studies from Georgetown University.

Christian Vera will be entering his third year at New York Law School. Mr. Vera received his B.A. from Seton Hall Law School. He speaks fluently in Spanish.

5. If You Are Hurt In An Accident, We Can Help

If you are hurt in a car, slip and fall or other type of accident, please call us. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality of legal representation to accident victims. We represent accident victims only - Not insurance companies. We Will fight for your rights and try to resolve your claim as fast as possible, with the goal being to obtain the maximum compensation for you. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation.

Editorial Assistance provided Christian Vera. Mr. Vera is currently participating in our Kenneth Vercammen's summer internship program.