News and Background
Newer Homes - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: A March 2005 report by the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation, documents "...a catalog of shoddy and deficient construction practices, lax regulatory oversight and poor remediation options that routinely plunge unsuspecting new-home purchasers into a quagmire of waste, fraud, and abuse".
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Caveat Emptor in Residential Real Estate: Some attorneys who quote what sound like low fees actually end up costing you more. Here's how:
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Typical Services for Buyers and Sellers of Real Estate: List of typical legal services performed for you by Attorney David G. Christoffersen when you buy or sell real estate.
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Overview of Estate and Gift Tax Law Changes: Dramatic rise in the federal exemption amount has caused New Jersey to decouple its exemption amount from the federal exemption amount. Individuals with estate plans created using pre-2001 tax law assumptions need to have their estate plans reviewed.
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Three Documents Every Adult Should Have: At a minimum every adult should have a Will, a "Living Will," and a general, durable Power of Attorney.
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Adding Insult to Injury: You'd be surprised what can happen to you AFTER you suffer an injury.
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Know Your Rights in Criminal Court: Even if charged with only a traffic violation or disorderly persons offense, you have certain Constitutional Rights.
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More news and background on the resources page.
Speaking
Attorney David G. Christoffersen is available to speak to your group or club about a range of legal issues, including:
Business
Criminal
Estate Planning & Administration
Intellectual Property
Personal Injury
Real Estate
Traffic Cases
Some Examples
Teen drivers are typically not well informed about the risks they face or the responsibilities they assume when they get behind the wheel of an automobile. As a former assistant prosecutor, Attorney David G. Christoffersen knows what the issues are and can communicate with authority to youthful drivers and their parents about traffic cases and criminal liability.
Small business owners may not understand their legal exposures, and may not know where to go for reliable information. Attorney David G. Christoffersen has advised many small business owners on a wide range of legal matters. He is available to speak with clubs, associations, and networking groups regarding the legal aspects of starting and running a business, as well as what business owners should know about estate planning & administration.
First-time home buyers probably don't realize that the "listing agent" represents the seller's interests, not theirs; that realtors and title companies are not allowed to give legal advice; that every realtor-prepared contract leaves something to be desired. The sellers (who may be told by the listing agent that they don't really need an attorney) probably don't realize that they must come to closing with some or all of the following: a clear Certificate of Occupancy; a smoke detector certificate; a chimney certificate; a well certificate; a Deed in recordable form; an Affidavit of Title; an I.R.S. Form 1099; a mortgage payoff statement. Attorney David G. Christoffersen has handled many real estate transactions, and so can speak from experience - personal as well as professional - to buyers, sellers, and realtors about the potential pitfalls inherent in real estate transactions.
Families often need help with a wide range of estate planning and elder law issues. Attorney David G. Christoffersen has a Masters Degree in Tax Law from Georgetown University Law Center. He is available to speak with clubs, associations, and church and community groups about estate planning & administration issues.