Simple, Affordable Wills for Gloucester County Families — Without the Guesswork
Every family deserves a clear plan. I've helped South Jersey residents get straightforward wills, powers of attorney, and living wills done for over four decades — at prices that don't turn people away before they even ask.
What a Will Actually Does for Your Family
William A. Sheehan Supporting Clients Across New Jersey
A will isn't a document for the wealthy or the elderly. It's for anyone who has people they care about and preferences they want respected. Without one, New Jersey's intestacy laws decide what happens to your belongings, your accounts, and — if you have children — who raises them. I've seen what that uncertainty does to families. It's avoidable, and it doesn't have to cost much to avoid it.
Put Your Wishes in Writing
A will is a legally binding document that directs how your property is distributed after you're gone, names an executor to carry out your instructions, and — critically — names a guardian for any minor children. Without it, those decisions belong to a court, not to you. I draft wills that are clear, properly executed under New Jersey law, and built to hold up when your family needs them most.
Who Needs a Will?
Everyone. That's not a sales pitch — it's the honest answer. A will is just as valid and just as useful whether you own a home and a retirement account or a car and a savings account. If you have children, a will is the only place you can name who you want to raise them. If you have opinions about what you want done with what you own, a will is how you say it once, clearly, so no one has to guess later.
Powers of Attorney and Living Wills — Planning for the Unexpected
A complete plan covers more than what happens after you're gone. A durable power of attorney designates someone you trust to handle financial and legal decisions if you become incapacitated. A living will — sometimes called an advance directive — records your medical wishes so doctors and family members aren't left making impossible calls without guidance. These documents work alongside your will to give you and your family clarity at every stage. I cover both in detail on the Power of Attorney and Living Wills page, and I can prepare all three documents together in a single appointment.
Affordability Is the Point
I set my fees for wills and estate documents specifically so that cost doesn't become the reason someone goes without. A basic will should not require a financial analysis before you pick up the phone. If you're putting off getting a will done because you assume it's expensive, I'd ask you to make one call before you decide that. A will shouldn't cost you more peace of mind than it gives you — and mine won't.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers Designed To Keep You Protected
Do I need a lawyer to write a will in New Jersey?
Technically, New Jersey law does not require an attorney to draft a will — but a will that isn't properly executed can be challenged or declared invalid, which defeats the entire purpose. An attorney makes sure your will meets the legal requirements, reflects your actual intentions, and holds up when it matters.How much does a will cost in New Jersey?
Attorney fees for wills vary widely. I keep my fees low specifically because I don't want cost to be the reason someone goes without a will. Call my office and I'll give you a straightforward answer before you commit to anything.What happens if I die without a will in New Jersey?
New Jersey's intestacy laws take over, and they distribute your estate according to a fixed formula — not according to your preferences. Your spouse, children, parents, and other relatives may receive shares in ways you wouldn't have chosen. More importantly, if you have minor children, a court will decide who raises them without any input from you.Can I get a will, power of attorney, and living will done at the same time?
Yes, and I'd encourage it. These three documents work together to cover your wishes during your lifetime and after. I can prepare all three in a single appointment, which is usually the most efficient approach for most families.Is a will only for older people or people with a lot of money?
No — and this is probably the most common misconception I run into. A will is useful at any age and at any level of wealth. If you have children, a will is the only legal mechanism for naming their guardian. If you have any opinions at all about what should happen to your belongings, a will is how you record them. Age and net worth have nothing to do with it.