Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning in Far Hills, New Jersey

Planning Priorities for Far Hills Families

Far Hills plans should be built from the deed and balance sheet upward. A useful planning review often includes:

• Deeds, surveys, easements, farmland or conservation restrictions, and title documents
• Ownership of horses, equipment, vehicles, collections, or other tangible property requiring care or valuation
• Business, partnership, or LLC interests
• Property in other states that could create ancillary probate
• Trustee authority to maintain, lease, sell, insure, or divide real estate
• Liquidity for taxes, property expenses, insurance, and family buyouts

The plan should avoid leaving an executor with valuable property but no practical authority or cash flow to preserve it.

Somerset County Probate

The Somerset County Surrogate states that the office probates wills, appoints estate administrators, supervises guardianship appointments, and is located on the first floor of the county administration building at 20 Grove Street, Somerville. Somerset County also offers eProbate for probate of a will or administration of an estate.

For a routine probate, the executor generally needs the original will, certified death certificate, identification, and family and asset information. If there is no will, the estate is administered under intestacy rules and a surety bond may be required. If a dispute exists, court filings in the Probate Part may be necessary.

Trusts, Land, and Family Governance

A revocable trust can be practical for Far Hills clients who want continuity if they become incapacitated or who own property in more than one state. The trust should include detailed real estate powers and should be funded correctly. If a home, farm, or larger parcel is intended to remain in the family, the trust should address occupancy, expenses, sale rights, buyout methods, and dispute resolution.

Irrevocable trusts may be considered for federal estate tax, asset management, or long-term family planning, but they come with loss-of-control and tax consequences. We review the client's liquidity and family structure before recommending that approach.

New Jersey and Federal Tax Notes

New Jersey's former estate tax no longer applies to deaths on or after January 1, 2018. Inheritance tax remains a beneficiary-class issue, which matters when a plan favors siblings, nieces, nephews, friends, or unrelated beneficiaries. Federal estate tax is evaluated separately; IRS 2026 guidance lists the basic exclusion at $15,000,000.

For land-rich estates, tax planning should include valuation, basis, charitable goals, conservation restrictions if any, and how the estate will pay carrying costs while administration is pending.

Documents Commonly Needed

• Will and revocable trust, when a trust-based structure is appropriate
• Durable power of attorney with real estate, entity, tax, and insurance authority
• Advance health care directive and HIPAA authorization
• Tangible personal property memorandum or detailed instructions for collections and equipment
• Trust funding letter and deed review
• Business succession or operating agreement review

Local and authoritative references

• Somerset County Surrogate: Welcome Message
• Somerset County Surrogate: Probate and Administration
• New Jersey Highlands Council: Far Hills Borough
• NJ Division of Taxation: Inheritance and Estate Tax

Britt J. Simon leads the attorney design and funding strategy for Far Hills plans accepted by the firm. Team support may assist execution and records, while land, business, fiduciary, and distribution choices remain tailored to the client's assets.

Responsible Attorney: Britt J. Simon, Esq., Managing Partner, Simon Law Group, LLC.