--- title: "New Jersey Estate Planning Attorney | Wills, Trusts & Probate | Legacy Counsel" description: "Fixed-fee New Jersey estate planning attorney serving Hoboken and statewide. Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, NJ inheritance tax planning, and probate avoidance by Drew Jacobs." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "LegalService", "@id": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com/#legalservice", "name": "Jacobs Legacy Counsel", "alternateName": [ "Legacy Counsel by Jacobs Counsel", "Jacobs Legacy" ], "url": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com", "description": "Fixed-fee estate planning for high-net-worth families, founders, executives, and professional athletes. Licensed in New York, New Jersey, and Ohio.", "logo": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com/logo-dark.jpg", "image": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com/og-image.jpg", "telephone": "+1-646-343-7227", "email": "intake@jacobscounsellaw.com", "priceRange": "Fixed-fee engagements", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "221 River Street, Floor 9", "addressLocality": "Hoboken", "addressRegion": "NJ", "postalCode": "07030", "addressCountry": "US" }, "areaServed": [ { "@type": "State", "name": "New York" }, { "@type": "State", "name": "New Jersey" }, { "@type": "State", "name": "Ohio" } ], "knowsAbout": [ "Estate planning", "Revocable living trusts", "Irrevocable trusts", "Dynasty trusts", "Asset protection planning", "Generation-skipping transfer tax planning", "Estate planning for professional athletes", "Estate planning for founders and executives", "QSBS planning", "Pre-liquidity estate planning", "Probate and trust administration" ], "contactPoint": { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+1-646-343-7227", "email": "intake@jacobscounsellaw.com", "contactType": "client intake", "areaServed": [ "US-NY", "US-NJ", "US-OH" ], "availableLanguage": [ "en" ] }, "founder": { "@id": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/drew-jacobs#person" }, "employee": { "@id": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/drew-jacobs#person" }, "parentOrganization": { "@type": "LegalService", "@id": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/#legalservice", "name": "Jacobs Counsel LLC", "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com" }, "sameAs": [ "https://jacobscounsellaw.com", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/jacobs-counsel", "https://www.instagram.com/jacobscounsel" ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com/#website", "url": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com", "name": "Jacobs Legacy Counsel", "publisher": { "@id": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com/#legalservice" }, "inLanguage": "en-US" }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/drew-jacobs#person", "name": "Andrew R. Jacobs, Esq.", "alternateName": "Drew Jacobs", "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/drew-jacobs", "jobTitle": "Founder & Managing Attorney", "worksFor": { "@id": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/#legalservice" }, "sameAs": [ "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-jacobs-dj32/", "https://www.instagram.com/jacobscounsel", "https://profiles.superlawyers.com/new-york-metro/hoboken/lawyer/andrew-jacobs/5765bbd8-0554-4eb5-be6d-0431db28f834.html", "https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/07030-nj-andrew-jacobs-5765bbd8.html", "https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/attorneyservices/search?lastName=jacobs&firstName=andrew" ] } ] }, [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "LegalService", "@id": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com/new-jersey-estate-planning-attorney#service", "name": "New Jersey Estate Planning Attorney — Legacy Counsel", "url": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com/new-jersey-estate-planning-attorney", "areaServed": { "@type": "State", "name": "New Jersey" }, "serviceType": "Estate Planning", "priceRange": "Fixed-fee engagements", "description": "Fixed-fee New Jersey estate planning attorney serving Hoboken and statewide. Wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, probate avoidance, inheritance tax planning, and business succession.", "provider": { "@type": "LegalService", "name": "Legacy Counsel by Jacobs Counsel LLC", "url": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com" }, "founder": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Drew Jacobs" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com/new-jersey-estate-planning-attorney#faq", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does New Jersey still have an estate tax?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "New Jersey repealed its estate tax in 2018, but the inheritance tax still applies to non-lineal beneficiaries like siblings and unrelated individuals." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do you avoid probate in New Jersey?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Typically through a funded revocable living trust plus proper beneficiary designations. Funding — retitling assets — is what most DIY plans miss." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need a New Jersey lawyer if I already have a will from another state?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Often, yes — NJ has specific execution and inheritance tax rules. We recommend a review if you've moved here or acquired NJ property." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much does estate planning cost in New Jersey?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Every engagement is fixed-fee, quoted in writing after a scoping call — so you know the cost upfront." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do you meet with clients in Hoboken or virtually?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Both — virtually by default, in person when needed. Our NJ presence is anchored in Hoboken." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Estate Planning", "item": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com/estate-planning" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "New Jersey Estate Planning Attorney", "item": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com/new-jersey-estate-planning-attorney" } ] } ], { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "NEW Jersey Estate Planning Attorney", "item": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com/new-jersey-estate-planning-attorney" } ] } ] --- A Practice of [Jacobs Counsel LLC](https://jacobscounsellaw.com) Serving NY · NJ · OH — Vol. 2026 [Legacy Counsel ](/) Firm Resources Estate Planning Trusts [Probate & Admin](/probate-trust-administration)[Pricing](/pricing)[Book Call](https://cal.com/drewjacobs/estate-planning)[Start Intake](/get-started) Menu 1. [Home](/) 2. NEW Jersey Estate Planning Attorney New Jersey · Hoboken · Statewide Licensed NY · NJ · OH # New Jersey Estate Planning Attorney for Families, Founders, and Business Owners. Fixed-fee [wills, trusts](/estate-planning), powers of attorney, and healthcare directives for New Jersey families, drafted from our Hoboken-anchored practice. [Start Your Intake](/get-started)[Book a Consultation](https://cal.com/drewjacobs/estate-planning) Drew Jacobs — Admitted in NJ, NY, OH 01 / WHO NEEDS A NEW JERSEY ESTATE PLAN ## Who needs a New Jersey estate plan. If you live in, own property in, or hold business interests in New Jersey, your plan needs to be drafted under New Jersey law. Off-the-shelf templates routinely fail at the Surrogate's Court. ### New Jersey Homeowners NJ property owners need documents that avoid Surrogate's Court delays. ### Families with Minor Children Parents need named guardians and trusts that protect inheritances. ### Business Owners & Founders Owners need succession terms aligned with operating agreements. ### Executives & High Earners RSUs and concentrated stock need coordinated trust and tax planning. ### Blended Families Precise drafting ensures the right people inherit the right assets. ### NJ Residents with Out-of-State Assets Multi-state owners need a plan that avoids ancillary probate. 02 / WHAT'S INCLUDED ## A complete New Jersey estate plan. A coordinated document set drafted under New Jersey statutes. See our [trusts library](/trusts) for more. ### Last Will & Testament Names beneficiaries, executors, and guardians under New Jersey law. ### Revocable Living Trust Avoids Surrogate's Court probate and keeps your estate private. ### Durable Power of Attorney Lets a trusted agent manage finances if you can't. ### Advance Healthcare Directive NJ-compliant proxy and living will for medical decisions. ### HIPAA Authorization Lets named individuals receive medical information from providers. ### Beneficiary & Titling Review Aligns retirement, insurance, and account titling with your plan. 03 / REVOCABLE TRUSTS ## Revocable living trusts & probate avoidance in New Jersey. New Jersey probate runs through the county Surrogate's Court — public, slow, and a source of dispute when real estate or out-of-state assets are involved. A properly funded [revocable living trust](/trusts/revocable-living) keeps qualifying assets out of probate, plans for incapacity, and preserves privacy. We handle the drafting, funding, and deed work in one fixed fee. 04 / NJ INHERITANCE TAX ## New Jersey inheritance tax planning. New Jersey repealed its estate tax in 2018, but the inheritance tax remains. Spouses, descendants, and parents (Class A) are exempt; siblings (Class C) and non-lineal beneficiaries (Class D) face graduated rates. For clients leaving assets to siblings or non-family beneficiaries, we design trust and lifetime-transfer strategies to reduce that exposure. 05 / MINOR CHILDREN ## Planning for minor children & guardianship. The most important decisions aren't financial — they're who raises your kids and who manages their inheritance. We draft guardian nominations under New Jersey law and build child-protective trusts that release assets in stages, not as a lump sum at 18. Plans include backup guardians, successor trustees, and clear guidance beyond the dollar amount. 06 / BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE ## Business owners & real estate holders. Founders and partners need an estate plan that aligns with operating agreements and buy-sells, not conflicts with them. We coordinate ownership transfer and successor management so the business continues without a probate emergency. For real estate holders, we handle entity structuring and deed work for New Jersey and out-of-state property. 07 / FIXED-FEE ## Fixed-fee New Jersey estate planning. Every engagement is a fixed fee after a scoping call — no hourly meters, no surprise invoices. See the [pricing overview](/pricing) for how engagements are scoped, or [contact us](/contact) to discuss your situation. 08 / HOW IT WORKS ## How the process works. A clear path from first conversation to a funded plan, typically 30–60 days. 1. STEP 01 ### Confidential Intake Secure online intake covering assets, family, and goals. 2. STEP 02 ### Strategy Call A working session with Drew mapping options under NJ law. 3. STEP 03 ### Fixed-Fee Proposal A written scope and flat fee, decided before we begin. 4. STEP 04 ### Design, Sign & Fund We draft, execute, and guide retitling assets into your plan. Compare ## Will or trust in New Jersey? Both plans direct who receives what. The difference is how much of the work happens in court, in public, and on someone else's timeline. A trust only delivers these results once it is actually funded. New Jersey — will alone vs. funded revocable trust Issue Will alone Funded revocable trust Court process Admitted through the county Surrogate; no routine supervision. No probate for assets titled in the trust. Privacy A probated will becomes part of the public record. Terms and asset detail stay private. Incapacity No effect during life; relies on a power of attorney. Successor trustee steps in without court involvement. Inheritance tax No effect — the tax turns on who inherits. No effect by itself, but a platform for beneficiary planning. Out-of-state property Typically requires a separate ancillary proceeding. One instrument governs property in several states. Cost profile Lower upfront, higher administration later. Higher upfront, lower and more predictable later. Tax snapshot ## What actually drives the tax in each state. State-level estate and inheritance tax comparison for New Jersey, New York, and Ohio State What drives the tax What planning addresses New Jersey Inheritance tax based on the beneficiary's relationship to you. No state estate tax. Beneficiary class, lifetime giving, and life insurance ownership. New York State estate tax with a cliff once the threshold is exceeded. No inheritance tax. Threshold management, credit shelter design, and gifting strategy. Ohio No state estate or inheritance tax. Probate is court-supervised. Probate avoidance, TOD coordination, and trust administration. Thresholds and rates change, and the federal exclusion is scheduled to move. This is a general orientation, not tax advice — we coordinate with your CPA rather than substituting for one. Free Download ### Will or Trust? A Side-by-Side Comparison The honest comparison — court involvement, privacy, incapacity, out-of-state property, and cost over time — plus when a will alone is genuinely enough in New York, New Jersey, and Ohio. Send it to me Educational material only — not legal advice. Requesting the guide does not create an attorney-client relationship. We do not sell or share your email. ## Cities we serve. Local Pages [ ### Hoboken Estate Planning Attorney Hudson County — condos, dual-career couples, cross-border NY/NJ planning. Explore Hoboken → ](/estate-planning-attorney-hoboken-nj)[ ### Jersey City Estate Planning Attorney Hudson County — downtown finance families, high-rises, multigenerational homes. Explore Jersey City → ](/estate-planning-attorney-jersey-city-nj) 09 / FAQ ## New Jersey estate planning FAQs. ### Does New Jersey still have an estate tax? New Jersey repealed its estate tax in 2018, but the inheritance tax still applies to non-lineal beneficiaries like siblings and unrelated individuals. ### How do you avoid probate in New Jersey? Typically through a funded revocable living trust plus proper beneficiary designations. Funding — retitling assets — is what most DIY plans miss. ### Do I need a New Jersey lawyer if I already have a will from another state? Often, yes — NJ has specific execution and inheritance tax rules. We recommend a review if you've moved here or acquired NJ property. ### How much does estate planning cost in New Jersey? Every engagement is fixed-fee, quoted in writing after a scoping call — so you know the cost upfront. ### Do you meet with clients in Hoboken or virtually? Both — virtually by default, in person when needed. Our NJ presence is anchored in Hoboken. [Read the full FAQ →](/faq) Begin the Conversation Hoboken · New Jersey ## Build your New Jersey plan with counsel that picks up the phone. Initial consultations are private and conducted directly by Drew Jacobs — no sales floor, no junior intake. [Start Your Intake →](/get-started)[Book a Consultation](https://cal.com/drewjacobs/estate-planning) **Prospective Client Disclaimer.** Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship. Do not send confidential or time-sensitive information until we have signed an engagement letter. We will review your submission and follow up to discuss whether we can represent you. By submitting, you consent to be contacted about your inquiry. **Attorney Advertising.** Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. The information on this page is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Drew Jacobs is licensed to practice law in New York, New Jersey, and Ohio. Estate planning is highly state-specific; we represent clients whose residence, primary assets, or business interests are situated in NY, NJ, or OH, and coordinate with qualified local counsel elsewhere. Estate Planning & Legacy Counsel Legacy Counsel by Jacobs Counsel. Fixed-fee estate planning, trusts, wills, and generational wealth strategy for high-net-worth families. [← Visit jacobscounsellaw.com](https://jacobscounsellaw.com) [(646) 343-7227](tel:+16463437227)[intake@jacobscounsellaw.com](mailto:intake@jacobscounsellaw.com) 221 River Street, Floor 9 Hoboken, NJ 07030 Practice - [Estate Planning](/estate-planning) - [Trusts](/trusts) - [Probate & Administration](/probate-trust-administration) - [Pricing](/pricing) - [For Advisors](/for-advisors) States - [New Jersey](/estate-planning/new-jersey) - [New York](/estate-planning/new-york) - [Ohio](/estate-planning/ohio) - [State Guides](/resources/state-guides) Resources - [Blog](/blog) - [FAQ](/faq) - [Estate Planning Quiz](/quiz/estate-planning) - [Checklist](/resources/checklist) Firm - [About Drew Jacobs](/about) - [Contact](/contact) - [Start Intake](/get-started) - [Book a Consultation](https://cal.com/drewjacobs/estate-planning) - [Client Questionnaire](/client-questionnaire) Notices - [Privacy Policy](/legal/privacy-policy) - [Legal Disclaimer](/legal/disclaimer) - [Attorney Advertising](/legal/attorney-advertising) © 2026 Legacy Counsel by Jacobs Counsel. All rights reserved. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. **Jurisdiction.** Drew Jacobs is licensed to practice law in New York, New Jersey, and Ohio . Estate planning is highly state-specific — laws governing wills, trusts, probate, estate and inheritance tax, and asset protection vary materially by jurisdiction. We represent clients whose residence, primary assets, or business interests are situated in NY, NJ, or OH. For matters involving other states, we coordinate with qualified local counsel. Nothing on this site constitutes legal advice or an offer to represent you in a jurisdiction in which we are not licensed.