2053 Woodbridge Avenue - Edison, NJ 08817

Friday, November 29, 2019

E5731. The Supreme Court on November 18 remanded State v Olenowski 2. Upcoming Community Events: 3. Fun Upcoming Running Races & Charity events participated by Kenneth Vercammen- Ken V is running 60 charity races in 2019. 4. Attorney General Grewal

E5731. The Supreme Court on November 18 remanded State v Olenowski 2. Upcoming Community Events: 3. Fun Upcoming Running Races & Charity events participated by Kenneth Vercammen- Ken V is running 60 charity races in 2019. 4. Attorney General Grewal 


1. The Supreme Court on November 18 remanded State v Olenowskito a Special Master (Judge Lisa who did Cassidy remand) for a Frye Hearing on the reliability and admissibility of Drug Recognition Evaluation evidence. 

Drug recognition evaluators /alleged expert (DRE) opinions based on drug influence evaluations (DIEs) are not generally accepted within the scientific community under Frye v. U.S., 293 F. 1013 (D.C. Cir. 1923. NJSBA member John Menzel argued the matter before the court, urging the court to exclude the DIE evidence in the case and remand the matter for the development of an appropriate foundation before the evidence can be admitted. The brief was written by Menzel, Joshua H. Reinitz, and NJSBA past president Miles S. Winder III.
The Supreme court focused on the question of why a special master should not be appointed to review whether DIEs meet the standards for admissibility, noting competing studies and scholarly writings on the issue, the credibility of which the court cannot evaluate without further hearings. 
The case arises from Olenowski’s convictions for driving while intoxicated, which occurred on two separate occasions in the same year. He drew a reading of .04 percent blood alcohol content the first time and a zero percent reading the second, but was visibly impaired, according to the officers who arrested him and the DREs who evaluated him. The trial court upheld the convictions, holding that DRE evidence was “generally acceptable and reliable in the scientific community.” The decision was upheld by the Appellate Division in an unpublished opinion.
In its brief, the NJSBA argued that neither the DIE technique nor the DRE opinion are generally accepted in the scientific community or sufficiently reliable to indicate that Olenowski was driving under the influence. “The NJSBA asks this court to declare the DIE technique and DRE opinion derived therefrom inadmissible for any purpose unless its proponent, the state, lays appropriate foundation,” the NJSBA wrote. “Such a ruling would provide guidance to trial courts and avoid the errors committed in the present case.”
  Source: https://tcms.njsba.com/PersonifyEbusiness/Default.aspx?TabID=1820&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NJSBA

2. Upcoming Community Events:

November 25th Clara Barton Branch Edison Library WILLS & ESTATE ADMINISTRATION seminar  at 6:00 PM Monday
141 Hoover Avenue Edison, NJ 08837

423 Main Street       Sayreville NJ 08872    
open to the public
https://www.facebook.com/events/1095113354031388/

Dec 1 Metuchen Winter Festival Parade & Christmas Tree Lighting

Dec 3 Young Lawyers Holiday Brew Ho-Ho Fox & Hound Pub and Grille 250 Menlo Park Drive Edison, New Jersey  08837 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM  NJSBA and MCBA   [Ken V was founder in 1988 as a Young Layer]
December 11, 2019  Recent NJ Municipal Court Cases- the Foundation of the Municipal Court Attorney’s Arsenalplus four prosecutors and the Author of the NJSBA’s new book on DWI and Drug Defense discuss the new DWI law effective December 1
-an NJICLE webinar-
Wednesday, Noon-1:40pm
Location: Online or NJ Law Center One Constitution Square
New Brunswick, NJ 08901 [next to Rutgers Cook campus]

Featuring:
Kenneth A. Vercammen, Esq.
Past Chair, NJSBA Municipal Court Practice Section
Past NJSBA Municipal Court Practitioner of the Year

Francis M. Womack, III, Esq.
Municipal Court Prosecutor Edison, Piscataway, Sayreville, South Amboy Woodbridge, North Brunswick Mayor

David R. Spevack, Esq.
Municipal Court Prosecutor Edison, Woodbridge, Carteret

John E. Kawczynski, Esq.
Municipal Court Prosecutor Metuchen & Piscataway

Chirag Mehta, Esq.
Prosecutor  Irvington and Morris Plains and Municipal Court Alternate Prosecutor Edison, New Brunswick, Rockaway Township, and Perth Amboy.

There were over twentyNew Jersey decisions in 2019 alone that should be at your fingertips when you enter a Municipal Court in New Jersey?
     These cases deal with major issues confronting municipal court law practitioners in this state. Without a complete understanding of what these cases involve, you could be at a serious disadvantage when you bring your next municipal court matter to court. Don’t miss this opportunity to benefit from the expertise and experience of four of the state’s leading municipal court law practitioners as they analyze this year’s leading municipal court law cases.
Seminar WMCP064819
One Constitution Square, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Phone: (732) 214-8500 · CustomerService@njsba.com
https://tcms.njsba.com/PersonifyEbusiness/Default.aspx?TabID=1699&productId=31995522

3. Fun Upcoming Running Races & Charity events participated by Kenneth Vercammen- Ken V is running 60 charity races in 2019
11/23/18 Born to Run 5 mile Freehold 11am Friday great Freehold FARC event  A free beverage after the race.
11/24 Crazy Eddie Memorial Hash run- not a race, trail hash with beverage stops Saturday Rumson Hasher HHH
12/1/19  Navesink Challenge 15k & 5k  10am 10:10 for 5k Post race at Red Bank Elks[Ken V runs 5k]
  
12/ 7 Big Chill 5k Rutgers New Bruns     10am 
http://recreation.rutgers.edu/big-chill/  Run with the RVRR team

12/8/19  Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis 5k run 9:30 Metuchen NJ  Wakefern Shoprite co sponsor

12/14 USATF National Championship cross-countryBethlehem PA Lehigh Univ.

December 21th  Saturday 9:30am - Hoboken Jingle Bell 5k in Hoboken

Jan 11, 2020  Secret Mystery Winter Trail Run 2.5 mile & 5 Mile Group Run 10:17am  Start Location: Secret Mystery wooded area North Brunswick to be emailed to pre-registered. Only $20.00 via https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/NorthBrunswick/SecretMysteryRun

4. Attorney General Grewal Attorney General Grewal and Kenneth Vercammen discussing law

Description: Macintosh HD:Users:kennethvercammen:Desktop:1  Kmac:zz Photo:Attorney General Grewal Attorney General  Grewal and Kenneth Vercammen at NJ Law Center.png
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Thursday, November 14, 2019

E572 1. Veteran’s Day - Local military veterans will be holding services and other events this week to commemorate Veterans Day. The holiday, originally called Armistice Day, was created to honor veterans of World War I. The armistice effectively ending the war was signed on Nov. 11, 1918. In 1954, Congress passed legislation setting Nov. 11 as a day to honor American veterans of all wars. 2Kenneth Vercammen interviewed on New12NJ TV on waiver of Miranda rights after criminal arrest 3. Reasons to sign a Power of Attorney 4Upcoming Community Events:

E572
1. Veteran’s Day - Local military veterans will be holding services and other events this week to commemorate Veterans Day. The holiday, originally called Armistice Day, was created to honor veterans of World War I. The armistice effectively ending the war was signed on Nov. 11, 1918. In 1954, Congress passed legislation setting Nov. 11 as a day to honor American veterans of all wars. 
2Kenneth Vercammen interviewed on New12NJ TV on waiver of Miranda rights after criminal arrest
3. Reasons to sign a Power of Attorney 
4Upcoming Community Events:

1. Veteran’s Day - Local military veterans will be holding services and other events this week to commemorate Veterans Day. The holiday, originally called Armistice Day, was created to honor veterans of World War I. The armistice effectively ending the war was signed on Nov. 11, 1918. In 1954, Congress passed legislation setting Nov. 11 as a day to honor American veterans of all wars. 

         While in college I wrote my senior class project on my grandfather Albert Louis Vercammen who fought in WWI against the German army serving in the Belgian Army. I wrote how he single handedly defeated the Germans to make the world safe for democracy.
         Decades later, the Red Chinese stormed into North Korea in the Korean War and threatened Communism throughout Asia. The Army summoned my dad, Albert P. Vercammen, to go over and fight the invaders. He was on a trooper carrier crossing the Pacific when the North Koreans and Chinese heard about the fierce Vercammen fighting spirit. The North Koreans started to retreat and wanted to surrender. The cowardly United Nations let them call it a truce. Again, the world was safe for democracy. 
         While in Korea, Al Vercammen was promoted to Sergeant. I recall him saying Korea was the coldest place in the world. Also, unlike the TV show MASH that had hot nurses, the ones in Korea were not attractive. The black and white photos taken in Korea my Dad has show barren hills near their Spartan tents. It looked cold. I am glad I did not have to go over there. So as Americans, we thank our dads and other vets that got the call to duty [draft] and helped turn the tide against the Communists. 
         My father in law John Bachenski served in WWII in the Army Air Corp, the forerunner of the Air Force. He helped start the sonar radar program for the Army. He successfully helped defend the air base at Boca Raton, Florida from the invading Italian navy. 

2Kenneth Vercammen interviewed on News12NJ TV on waiver of Miranda rights after criminal arrest

Miranda warnings require police to advise those arrested. If police forget to give Miranda warning, statement or confessions cant be used against that person. However, failure to give Miranda warnings does not invalidate an arrest.
Miranda applies not only upon arrest, but also upon custodial interrogation. However, failure to properly give Miranda warning does not stop the prosecution. It only throws out any confession. [and the fruit of the poisonous tree] The NJ Supreme Court this year held Miranda violated here where detectives failed to advise subject of charges State v. Vincenty237 NJ 122 (2019)
HELD: The record reveals that the detectives failed to inform Vincenty of the charges filed against him when they read him his rights and asked him to waive his right against self- incrimination. That failure deprived Vincenty of the ability to knowingly and intelligently waive his right against self-incrimination. Pursuant to A.G.D., Vincenty’s motion to suppress should have been granted. 
1. The right against self-incrimination is one of the most important protections of the criminal law. Individuals, as holders of the right, may waive the right against self- incrimination. Law enforcement officers must first advise a suspect of the right against self- incrimination before attempting to obtain a waiver of the right. The State carries the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the suspect’s waiver was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary in light of all the circumstances. 
2. In A.G.D., detectives questioned the defendant at his home about allegations of sexual abuse. 178 N.J. at 59. The detectives did not tell the defendant that a warrant for his arrest had been issued. Ibid. The defendant confessed to the alleged sexual abuse and was subsequently convicted of related offenses. Id. at 60-61. Before trial, the defendant moved to suppress his confession. Id. at 61. The Court held that the defendant’s confession should have been suppressed, id. at 69, because the “government’s failure to inform a suspect that a criminal complaint or arrest warrant has been filed or issued deprives that person of information indispensable to a knowing and intelligent waiver of rights,” id. at 68. If suspects are not informed that a criminal complaint or arrest warrant has been filed against them, they necessarily lack “critically important information” and thus “the State cannot sustain its burden” of proving a suspect has knowingly and intelligently waived the right against self-incrimination. Ibid. 
3. A.G.D. thus calls for law enforcement officials to make a simple declaratory statement at the outset of an interrogation that informs a defendant of the essence of the charges filed against him. That information should not be woven into accusatory questions posed during the interview. The State may choose to notify defendants immediately before or after administering Miranda warnings, so long as defendants are aware of the charges pending against them before they are asked to waive the right to self-incrimination. 
4. Vincenty’s interrogation is precisely what A.G.D. prohibits, and it substantiates A.G.D.’s holding. Unaware that charges had been filed against him, Vincenty appeared willing and ready to waive his right against self-incrimination. However, when Vincenty was informed of the criminal charges filed against him, everything changed. His willingness to speak with the detectives dissipated. As that chain of events demonstrates, Vincenty’s ability to knowingly and intelligently decide whether to waive his right against self-incrimination was fundamentally altered when he was informed of the criminal charges filed against him. Withholding that critically important information deprived Vincenty of the ability to knowingly and voluntarily waive the right against self-incrimination.  
5. The trial court and Appellate Division erred in holding Vincenty knowingly and intelligently waived his right against self-incrimination. Consideration of harmless error would not change matters here because some of Vincenty’s statements could be fairly characterized as inculpatory, and Vincenty’s conduct reveals that his decision to plead guilty was influenced by the trial court’s suppression ruling. 

3. Reasons to sign a Power of Attorney 
A Power of Attorney allows your spouse or another person to administer your assets during your lifetime, either upon disability or now. The lack of a properly prepared and executed Power of Attorney can cause extreme difficulties when an individual is stricken with severe illness or injury rendering him/her unable to make decisions or manage financial and medical affairs. More info at http://www.njlaws.com/power_of_attorney.html
In the absence of a Power of Attorney or other legal arrangement to distribute property if you become disabled, your family or partner cannot pay your bills or handle your assets. The result can be lengthy delays. 
The term "durable" in reference to a power of attorney means that the power remains in force for the lifetime of the principal, even if he/she becomes mentally incapacitated. A principal may cancel a power of attorney at any time for any reason. Powers granted on a power of attorney document can be very broad or very narrow in accordance with the needs of the principal.  

New Jersey has a detailed, expensive legal procedures, called Guardianships or conservatorships, to provide for appointment of a Guardian. These normally require lengthy, formal proceedings and are expensive in court. This means involvement of lawyers to prepare and file the necessary papers and doctors to provide medical testimony regarding the mental incapacity of the subject of the action. 
The procedures also require the involvement of a temporary guardian to investigate, even intercede, in surrogate proceedings. This can be slow, costly, and very frustrating.   Advance preparation of the Power of Attorney could avoid the inconvenience and expense of guardianship proceedings. This needs to be done while the principal is competent, alert and aware of the consequences of his / her decision. Once a serious problem occurs, it is usually too late.   
The Power of Attorney can be effective immediately upon signing or only upon disability. 
Most people who give a Power of Attorney to someone else do it with the thought that if they should become ill or incapacitated or if they should travel, the Power of Attorney will permit the holder of it to pay their bills and to handle all of their affairs for them as limited in the Power of Attorney. 

4Upcoming Community Events:

November 16th, Miracle Madness Kickoff Party Edison Elks  7:30 Gypsy Kicks Band  $20 includes food
November 18, Woodbridge Library
Wills, Estate Planning & Probate Seminar 7 pm Monday
Woodbridge Public Library
1 George Frederick Plaza
Woodbridge NJ 07095
732-34-4450
http://woodbridgelibrary.org/wills-estate-planning-probate-seminar
https://www.facebook.com/events/519832905429877/
November21st Thirsty Thursday Edison Elks

423 Main Street         
Sayreville NJ 08872    
open to the public
https://www.facebook.com/events/1095113354031388/

6. Fun Upcoming Running Races & Charity events participated by Kenneth Vercammen- Ken V is running 60 charity races in 2019

11/16  Manasquan Turkey Run  5-mile 11am party at Leggett’s after race discount beer co sponsor Wakefern Shoprite jsrc.org Manasquan 

11/23/18 Born to Run 5 mile Freehold 11am Friday great Freehold FARC event
11/24 Crazy Eddie Memorial Hash run- not a race, trail hash with beverage stops Saturday Rumson Hasher HHH
12/1/19  Navesink Challenge 15k & 5k  10am 10:10 for 5k Post race at Red Bank elks[Ken V runs 5k]
  
Office for rent Professional Office Space available in Edison Law Office
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
 Excellent space for an Attorney, Financial Planners, Accountant, Insurance Agents, and other Business Professionals as a 2nd location or location to meet clients in Edison. 
    The offices are located on the 1st floor of the building.
2 rooms office   
office room # 6 approx 12.4 x 9.4        
and front room approx 8 x 9 -office room # 5
plus use of reception room  16.6 x 7.2
and use of storage area in basement 
   Previously used by Robert Blackman, late former Judge and Prosecutor of Edison
   $500 per month  [was $600]
Call 732-816-4449
    Owner of building is local attorney, Kenneth Vercammen who handles Municipal Court, Estate Planning & Probate, and Criminal Law. 

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Monday, November 04, 2019

2019 Estate Planning & Probate Newsletter

    2019 Estate Planning & Probate Newsletter
     By Kenneth Vercammen, Esq. Edison, NJ             rev 1/25/19
Index
1. NJ Estate Tax eliminated in 2018 and 2019 changes to Federal Taxes
2. Problemsif You Have No Will or a cheap online form not valid
3.NJ Inheritance Tax must still usually be paid if assets are going to persons other than spouse or children.                                                                      2019 tax rates
4. Power of Attorney- Do not use a form purchased online.
5. Set up a Testamentary Trust in your Will for Protection for a second spouse to protect assets for children and grandchildren
6. Federal Health Privacy Law (HIPAA)- Have a new Living Will prepared
7. Always have proper Self- Proving Wills since witnesses often move or pass away, don’t rely on cheap online forms
[Photos page 1, 2, 3, 4
p1 POPEClose encounter of the Pope kind , Pope Francis blesses N.J. Bar association and other pilgrims page 1, 
page 2 Ethics speakers Prol Rosner Rome   
p3 
Photo text webinar  Spevack, Womack, Bezer, Metha
P4 Spigner Isele]

 1.  The NJ Estate Tax was eliminated in 2018 although there is still an Inheritance Tax for money that is not going to spouse, children, grandchildren, etc.
2019 Federal Estate Tax for rich people
Generally, a decedent dying between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2019, the estate should be subject to an estate tax, with an applicable exclusion amount of $11,400,000 (increased from $11,180,000 in 2018) and up from $5.49 million in 2017. In 2019, the annual Federal gift tax exclusion is $15,000. There is no tax to spouse.

2. Problems ifYou Have No Will or a cheap online form not valid        
         If you leave no Will or your Will is declared invalid because it was improperly prepared or is not admissible to probate:
1.  The procedure to distribute assets becomes more complicated. It will require all of the children to select someone to be the Administrator, then all the children to sign a Renunciation Affidavit in front of a notary. If all the children do not sign the Renunciation Affidavit if front of notaries, then a Complaint and Order with have to be filed in the Superior Court. Cost over $3,000. The preparation of a Will for under $400 eliminates these costs.
2.   Additional expenses will be incurred and extra work will be required to qualify an administrator-Surety Bond, additional costs often over $1,000 and extra legal fees
3.   State law determines who gets assets, not you. People who dislike you or don’t care about you can get your assets
4.   If you have no spouse or close relatives the State may take your property. Most people who rather have charities or friends get their money.
5.   It often causes fights and stress within your family and sometimes lawsuits
6.   If there are minor children a Judge determines who gets custody of grand children
7.   You lose the opportunity to reduce State inheritance taxes and Federal estate taxes without improper planning
         When loved ones are grieving and dealing with death, they shouldn’t be overwhelmed with Financial concerns and estate problems if there is no Will or not prepared or signed properly. 

         Who don’t you want to receive your assets?
         Who is not the best choice to raise your children, or safeguard your children's money for college?   Do you want children, or grandchildren, to get money when they turn 18?  Will they invest money wisely, or go to Seaside and play games?
      Beware of online documents not prepared by an attorney. Never use a form on line. No one tries to do their own electrical work on their home anymore or change their own oil. Have a professional do it right.
         Make sure it is a Self-proving Will and says no bond required.
         THE FOLLOWING IS A SAMPLE OF A VARIETY OF CLAUSES AND ITEMS WHICH SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A WILL:
1ST:  DEBTS AND TAXES
2ND: SPECIFIC BEQUESTS
3RD: DISPOSITION TO SPOUSE
4TH: DISPOSITION OF REMAINDER OF ESTATE
5TH: CREATION OF TRUSTS FOR SPOUSE
6TH: CREATION OF TRUST FOR CHILDREN
7TH: OTHER BENEFICIARIES UNDER 21
8TH: EXECUTORS
9TH: TRUSTEES
10TH: GUARDIANS
11TH: SURETY OR BOND
12TH: POWERS 
13TH: AFTERBORN CHILDREN
         A will must not only be prepared within the legal requirements of the New Jersey Statutes but should also be prepared so it leaves no questions regarding your intentions.

WHY PERIODIC REVIEW IS ESSENTIAL
         
         Even if you have an existing Will, there are many events that occur which may necessitate changes in your Will.  Some of these are:
* Marriage, death, birth, divorce or separation affecting either you or anyone named in your Will
* Significant changes in the value of your total assets or in any particular assets, which you own  
* A change in your domicile
* Death or incapacity of a beneficiary, or death, incapacity or change in residence of a named executor, trustee or guardian of infants, or of one of the witnesses to the execution of the Will
* Annual changes in tax law
* Changes in who you like and who care about you

MAY I CHANGE MY WILL?
         
         Yes.  A Will may be modified, added to, or entirely changed at any time before your death provided you are mentally and physically competent and desire to change your Will. You should consider revising your Will whenever there are changes in the size of your estate. For example, when your children are young, you may think it best to have a trust for them so they do not come into absolute ownership of property until they are mature.  Beware; if you draw lines through items, erase or write over, or add notations to the original Will, it can be destroyed as a legal document.  Either a new Will should be legally prepared or a codicil signed to legally change portions of the Will. 

3. NJ Inheritance Tax must still usually be paid if assets are going to persons other than spouse or children.                                                                                  
      Separate from the Estate Tax, New Jersey imposes an Inheritance Tax on the estates of limited resident and nonresident decedents.  The elimination of Estate Tax in NJ made no changes to the New Jersey Inheritance Tax.
        Even if no inheritance tax due, a Tax Waiver on a house must still be obtained and filed if the house was not co-owned by the spouse. Your attorney will assist you by filing the mandatory Tax forms.

2019 INHERITANCE TAX RATES
Class A- children, grandchildren, parent: No tax is due

Class C: brothers, sisters
First $25,000.......................No tax is due
Next $1,075,000................ 11%
Next $300,000..................... 13%
Next $300,000..................... 14%
Over $1,700,000................... 16%

Class D[other people]
First $700,000......................... 15%*
Over $700,000......................... 16%

Class E- charities, non-profits:  No tax is due

4. Power of Attorney- Do not use a form purchased online.
      A Power of Attorney should contain reference to the NJ statute requiring banks to honor the Power of Attorney. Section 2 of P.L. 1991, c. 95 (c. 46:2B-11). A NJ bank does not have honor a Power of Attorney without the NJ language. Also, if you or your representative move it is a good idea to have a new POA prepared since a bank may give your selected person a hard time if the address on their ID is different than the address on the POA.
      A Power of Attorney is a written document in which a competent adult individual (the "principal") appoints another competent adult individual (the "attorney-in-fact") to act on the principal's behalf. You usually select a spouse, child or family member.   In general, an attorney-in-fact may perform any legal function or task, which the principal has a legal right to do for him/herself. You may wish to sign a Power of Attorney giving your spouse, children or partner the power to handle your affairs if you become ill or disabled. In the absence of a Power of Attorney or other legal arrangement to distribute property if you become disabled, your spouse, family or partner cannot pay your bills or handle your assets. The result can be lengthy and expensive delays. Have a current Power of Attorney prepared.

5. Set up a Testamentary Trust in your Will for Protection for a second spouse to protect assets for children and grandchildren
         The Credit Shelter Trust (sometimes referred to as a “Bypass Trust” or an “A/B Trust”) was a popular estate planning technique used by married couples with combined assets to avoid the NJ Estate Tax. A Testamentary Trust (sometimes referred to as a Will trust or trust under will) is a trust, which arises upon the death of the testator [person who signed the Will]. A Credit Shelter Trust is a type of Testamentary Trust.     
         Even though NJ has eliminated the NJ Estate Tax, a Testamentary Trust within the Will is still a useful device to help ensure children and grandchildren with receive money down the road. Otherwise, the surviving spouse can spend all the money in Atlantic City. The surviving spouse could also get remarried and do a new Will leaving all assets to the new spouse. Also, if your spouse gets remarried and their new spouse has to go into a nursing home, your spouse may have to use some of your hard earned money to pay for the new spouse’s expensive nursing home. Many families want to protect at least some of the money from wasteful spending or a new spouse.
        In a typical Will Testamentary Trust, the surviving spouse is entitled to receive all of the income from the Trust for his or her lifetime, and has the right to demand principal distributions for his or her health, education, support and maintenance in his or her accustomed manner of living. Distributions in excess of that standard require the cooperation of a Co-Trustee – often an adult child of the surviving spouse or another trusted family member or friend.
        
6. Federal Health Privacy Law (HIPAA)- Have a new Living Will prepared
   The federal regulation known as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was adopted regarding disclosure of individually identifiable health information. This necessitated the addition of a special release and consent authority to all healthcare providers before medical information will be released to agents and interested persons of the patients.     
    Any old Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Revocable Living Trusts, and certainly all Medical Directives now require HIPAA amendments.  After you sign the Living Will in your attorney’s office, provide a copy to your doctor and family.
    Powers of attorneys and Living Wills should be updated to reference this Federal reg. 
A Living Will is your written expression of how you want to be treated in certain medical conditions. Depending on state law, this document may permit you to express whether or not you wish to be given life-sustaining treatments in the event you are terminally ill or injured, to decide in advance whether you wish to be provided food and water via intravenous devices ("tube feeding"), and to give other medical directions that impact the end of life. "Life-sustaining treatment" means the use of available medical machinery and techniques, such as heart-lung machines, ventilators, and other medical equipment and techniques that will sustain and possibly extend your life, but which will not by themselves cure your condition. In addition to terminal illness or injury situations, most states permit you to express your preferences as to treatment using life-sustaining equipment and/or tube feeding for medical conditions that leave you permanently unconscious and without detectable brain activity.

Fluids and Nutrition. I request that artificially provided fluids and nutrition, such as by feeding tube or intravenous infusion (initial one)
1. ______ shall be withheld or withdrawn as "Life Sustaining Treatment."

2. ______ shall be provided to the extent medically appropriate even if other "Life Sustaining Treatment" is withheld or withdrawn.
Directive as to Medical Treatment. I request that "Life Sustaining Treatment" be withheld or withdrawn from me in each of the following circumstances: (Initial all that apply)
1. ______ If the "life sustaining treatment" is experimental and not a proven therapy, or is likely to be ineffective or futile in prolonging my life, or is likely to merely prolong an imminent dying process;
2. ______ If I am permanently unconscious (total and irreversible loss of consciousness and capacity for interaction with the environment);
3. ______ If I am in a terminal condition (terminal stage of an irreversibly fatal illness, disease, or condition); or
4. ______ If I have a serious irreversible illness or condition, and the likely risks and burdens associated with the medical intervention to be withheld or withdrawn outweigh the likely benefits to me from such intervention.
5. ______ None of the above. I direct that all medically appropriate measures be provided to sustain my life, regardless of my physical or mental condition.
     
7. Always have proper Self- Proving Wills since witnesses often move or pass away, don’t rely on cheap online forms
        An old New Jersey Probate law required one of the two witnesses to a Will to travel and appear in the Surrogate’s office and sign an affidavit to certify they were a witness. This often created problems when the witness was deceased, moved away, or simply could not be located.  Some witnesses would require a $500 fee to simply sign a surrogate paper. My Grandmother’s Will was not self- proving, and the witness to Will extorted a $500 fee.
        The New Jersey Legislature later passed a law to create a type of Will called a “Self-Proving Will.”  In such a Will, the person for whom the Will is made must sign.  Then two witnesses sign.  Then the attorney or notary must sign; with certain statutory language to indicate the Will is self-proving.  Beware of online documents not prepared by an attorney. Never use a cheap form on line. No one tries to do their own electrical work on their home anymore or change their own oil. Have a professional do it right.
        When done properly, the executor does not have to locate any witnesses. This usually saves time and money.  If your Will is not “self-proving” or if you are unsure, schedule an appointment with an estate planning attorney. Some law offices ignore the revised law, and fail to prepare self proving Wills. Do not use a law office that follows old methods and does not do a self-proving Will. Also make sure your Will includes a formal “no bond required” clause so the executor/ personal representative does not have to spend thousands of dollars being bonded.
Call the Law Office of Kenneth Vercammen at 732-572-0500 to schedule an in-office consultation.
         
Kenneth Vercammen & Associates
Attorney at Law
2053 Woodbridge Ave
Edison, NJ 08817

If you or anyone you know needs an updated Will, Power of Attorney or Living Will, please have them fill out our confidential interview from and schedule a consult.

Pope Francis blesses NJ Bar members p1
Ethics in Your Practice in Rome p2
Speakers Steven L. Menaker, Esq.
Daniel Rosner, Esq. Past NIAJ President
Kenneth A. Vercammen, Esq., Chair ABA Estate Planning & Probate Committee
Thomas H. Prol, Esq, Past NJSBA President

Top 25 Municipal Court Cases and Criminal cases in the past year-Webinar available
Speakers
Donovan Bezer, Esq.-Municipal Court Prosecutor Metuchen, Jersey City
Kenneth A. Vercammen, Esq. Past Chair, NJSBA Municipal Court Practice Section, Past NJSBA Municipal Court Practitioner of the Year
David R. Spevack, Esq. Municipal Court Prosecutor Edison and Woodbridge, Carteret, Governor Murphy  Transition Team representative from Hispanic Bar Association
Francis M. Womack, III, Esq.-Municipal Court Prosecutor Edison, Piscataway and Sayreville, Carteret, Mayor- North Brunswick
  Chirag Mehta, Esq. Municipal Court Prosecutor Irvington, Alternate Prosecutor Edison, North Brunswick and Morris Plains
   Available online from NJ Bar

Page 4 ELDER LAW & ESTATE ADMINISTRATION BOOK 
Speakers/ Authors: KENNETH A. VERCAMMEN, ESQ., MARTIN SPIGNER ESQ.WILLIAM P. ISELE, ESQ.,