From Our Offices
Will your family be prepared? Why updating your will now can help your family later on According to a survey from senior living referral service Caring.com only 33% of Americans have a will or living trust. This means 67% are leaving what happens to them and their estates to others, including the state. To ensure final wishes are executed as intended, the Middlesex County Surrogate’s Office encourages everyone to draft or update their will this month.
Protecting people, property, and infrastructure County receives more than $1.1 million in federal funds to fight flooding In less than two weeks in 2021, Middlesex County suffered $40 million dollars in damage due to flooding caused by Tropical Storms Henri and Ida, which dumped several inches of rain on the region and hit the southern portion of the County especially hard. Flooding is the most frequent and damaging natural hazard facing Middlesex County, which is why we launched the Southern Middlesex County Flood Mitigation and Resilience Project. That initiative recently received a substantial boost, thanks to more than $1.1 million in federal funding secured through the efforts of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. The funds will enable the County to navigate the effects of climate change as the regional issue it is, identifying ways to slow or mitigate the impact of flooding in our communities. The funding is part of the federal appropriations bill that Congress passed in December. Menendez and Watson Coleman announced the funding in February.
HERE ARE HELPFUL TIPS FROM THE SURROGATE’S OFFICE:
AVOID DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN LOVED ONES A will lowers family disputes once you’re gone, avoiding any friction that could damage family bonds. It also eliminates the guesswork at what your final wishes were. ENSURE YOUR MINOR CHILDREN ARE CARED FOR Without a will you lose the privilege of naming a guardian for your minor children. This is vital, particularly if your spouse should not survive you. If you fail to nominate a guardian in your will, a court will appoint a guardian.
SAVE YOUR HEIRS TIME AND MONEY Making a will can save your family the cost of a bond. In your will, you decide to whom, when, and in what amounts your assets should go to. Having a will may avoid a forced sale of your property or costly and tedious applications to the courts for the right to sell it.
APPOINT AN EXECUTOR When selecting an executor or personal representative — the person who shall be responsible for the disposition of the estate — it is important to pick someone who is capable and trustworthy. From closing bank accounts to liquidating assets, the person you choose as an executor is the person who will be in charge of wrapping up your affairs. If you do not name an executor or personal representative, your property may not be distributed as you wish, and thus cause hardship for those you want to safeguard most.
“ “ “ I’m proud to announce that more than $1.1 million Central Jersey has long suffered from deadly flooding. Due to climate change, that flooding is
“
With this funding, we will be able to continue to identify and address gaps in flood resiliency within the Southern Middlesex County region. It will also enable us to continue working with municipalities and our other valued partners to implement more effective mitigation techniques that will better protect our people, property, and key infrastructure.” County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios Tropical Storm Henri devasted the lives of many in Monroe Township in 2021. My colleagues in the 14th Legislative District and I have worked to secure state funds to address and study the mitigation of catastrophic floods in our area. I am extremely happy that Senator Bob Menendez and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman have heard the people of Monroe and have joined in the effort to secure an additional $1.1 million in federal funding for flood mitigation planning.” New Jersey Assemblyman Wayne P. DeAngelo
Extensive, costly damage from storms in recent years has shown the need to strengthen flood resilience in southern Middlesex County in the face of extreme weather events to come. I’m proud to work with Sen. Menendez and Rep. Watson Coleman to secure this federal funding to strengthen Middlesex County’s flood durability and protect homes and businesses.” Senator Cory Booker Monroe Township residents have struggled with extreme flooding for years, really experiencing the worst more recently during Tropical Storm Henri. Combined with the state’s previous grant, these federal planning funds will ensure that we find ways to keep our residents safe from the increasing severity of floods due to climate change.” New Jersey Assemblyman Daniel Benson
of federal funding will be dedicated towards addressing gaps in flood resiliency planning in southern Middlesex County which in recent years has felt the devastating impacts of repeated flooding, including from Tropical Storm Henri and Hurricane Ida. Working together with regional partners, Middlesex County will make sure that their work takes into account the most vulnerable and underserved residents to provide solutions that are equitable, innovative, and inclusive.” U.S. Senator Robert Menendez Tropical Storm Henri was a major flooding event in Monroe Township, particularly in the Rossmoor Senior Community, and we need to explore long- term regional mitigations in response to a steady increase in storm frequency and intensity. We are thankful to Senator Menendez and Congresswoman Watson Coleman for funding this vitally important study by Middlesex County, that will lead to solutions in mitigating future flooding events.” Monroe Mayor Stephen Dalina
“ becoming more frequent and more severe. By acting now, we can protect generations to come,” Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman I am grateful for the efforts of our federal partners, Senator Menendez and Congresswoman Watson Coleman, in securing additional funding to address flooding in Southern Middlesex County. For almost a decade we have collaborated with local officials in order to find solutions that improve emergency responses to severe and repeated flooding in the area. These federal funds are a valuable next step in helping to identify and fight
A WILL GIVES PEACE OF MIND While some people put off creating or updating their will due to superstitions or time restraints, having a will gives many people peace of mind in knowing their wishes will be met after they’re gone. And remember a will only addresses your current circumstances, so it’s important to update it over time as your needs change.
“
“
To ensure your will stands up in court, reach out to an attorney who specializes in will drafting or estate planning. The attorney can guide you to the best decisions and ensure that your will is properly phrased, witnessed, and completed correctly. For additional information on the County’s role in probating a will, please visit: middlesexcountynj.gov and search “Wills” .
“
Protecting against property and mortgage fraud County Clerk offers free fraud alert service
flood impacts.” State Senator Linda Greenstein
property, one of your most important assets, sign up for this free service provided by the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office.” While our Property Alert Service can’t prevent property fraud, it can ensure residents are notified in a timely fashion when documents are filed for a specific property or an individual’s name, ultimately helping users identify unauthorized or fraudulent activity. To access this free tool, visit middlesexcountynj.gov and search “property alert.”
In an effort to combat property and mortgage fraud, Middlesex County Clerk Nancy Pinkin encourages property owners to protect their property and mortgage with the Middlesex County Property Alert Service. This free service notifies subscribers via email alerts whenever a document is recorded in the Clerk’s Office with data that matches the property legal description (municipality, block, and lot) or party name. “Unfortunately, property and mortgage fraud is a fast-growing crime in the United States. Scams are often committed against property owners in the form of fake deeds or liens, which can go unnoticed for years,” said Clerk Pinkin. “To protect your
County elected officials were joined by federal, state, and local officials at the Flood Mitigation Plan Study announcement held in Monroe.
SCAN HERE FOR FREE PROPERTY ALERT SERVICE
middlesexcountynj.gov 13
12 Your Middlesex | 2023 Issue 1
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker