DID YOU KNOW . . . ?

ESTATES

... That if you die without a Will as a resident of the State of New Jersey, your spouse will NOT automatically inherit all of your assets?
... That your family will have to post a potentially costly bond in order to administer your estate?
... That any property inherited by your child will automatically be held by the Surrogate's Court until he or she attains the age of 18 years, at which point ALL of the child's inheritance will be handed over to such child by the Court?
... That if you have no children, your spouse will likely have to share part of your estate with your parents, if they are still living?
... All of these generally unintended negative results can be avoided by your executing a simple will.


MATRIMONIAL

... The reason for the divorce generally has nothing to do with the ultimate results of the financial issues in the case?
... That the alimony statute in New Jersey was recently amended and now provides for limited duration or "term" alimony under certain circumstances?
... There are no guidelines for alimony but there are for child support?
... Child support awards are supposed to be reviewed every 3 years?
... Custody and parenting time issues are usually resolved through a process of mediation?
... There can be a finding of domestic violence and a restraining order issued even in the absence of any physical violence?

PERSONAL INJURY

... That if you or a family member is tragically injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the party who caused this injury? 

     Many people who are faced with tragedy become confused and uncertain as to their rights.  Often they are reluctant to consult an attorney because of a well-founded fear that they will be called upon to pay large sums of money and may end up getting nothing in return.   
     Gebhardt & Kiefer, a firm that has been helping victims injured in accidents for over 100 years, is well equipped to assist accident victims by counseling them as to their legal rights, at no cost.  We then accept appropriate, significant cases of this nature on a contingency fee basis.  This means that the client pays attorney fees only if there is a recovery, and then pays a percentage of the recovery. 
     If you or a family member is injured in an automobile accident, an injury around the house, a fall-down or a work related, industrial or machine type of accident, do not hesitate to consult with us about whether there is a claim.  Often, defendants are willing or can be compelled to compensate injured people for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the other losses that an injured person can suffer in accidents.
     If you or a family member is injured, it is important that you immediately consult with an attorney who can advise you on how to preserve and substantiate your claim.  It may be necessary for the attorney to hire investigators, experts, or photographers to preserve evidence or investigate the claim. You should hire a law firm that is experienced in personal injury matters and knows when experts are required and how to secure information.

... That with 81,000 acres of farmland statewide associated with the equine industry, New Jersey and particularly, Somerset County is horse country?
* Pictured below is a two page scan of an article that was published in Somerset Business magazine April 2007 issue, written by two of our attorneys about the N.J. State Equine Liability Statute passed in 1997 and a subsequent case.

... That the Dept. of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) published and adopted sweeping amendments to the N.J. Auto. Insurance Medical Fee Schedule Regulations, and the various Fee Schedules (Physician Fees, Dental Fees, Ambulatory Surgical Center Facility Fees, Services subject to the $99 daily cap, etc.). The stated purpose of the amendments were to make it easier for payers to process No-Fault Medical Expense Claims by eliminating many delays or disputes caused by attempts to discern the UC&R for unlisted and multiple procedures; and by providing a more fair rate of return to prevent run-away costs and abuses.
Below is a link to an article written by one of our attorneys, Jacob A. Papay, about these amendments:
OVERVIEW OF THE APPROVED NJ AUTO INSURANCE FEE SCHEDULE REGULATIONS & RATES Aug. 10, 2009

* Also below is a scan of a March 27, 2008 Hunterdon County Democrat article about one of our new firm partners, Steven Farsiou, and his love for the game of baseball and how it has affected his life.