James J. Costello, Jr. to Speak at Seminar on Probate Process

James J. Costello, Jr., a Member of the Bridgewater-based law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., will be a featured speaker at “The Probate Process from Start to Finish,” sponsored by The National Business Institute.  The seminar will take place at the Holiday Inn Princeton on Tuesday, December 19, from 8:30 am to 4:40 pm and at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center of Toms River on Wednesday, December 20 from 8:30 am to 4:40 pm.

The seminar is an “a through z” guide to probate designed to take the attendee from the first days of the estate timeline through all the steps of the initial filing, locating and paying the creditors, paying the beneficiaries, and laying the estate to rest. Attendees will receive the latest updates on the probate court procedure and tax laws, practical guidance from experienced probate attorneys on resolving estate disputes, and sample forms and checklists to speed up the administration process. CLE CPE, IACET, and PACE credits are available. For more information or to register, visit the NBI’s web site at www.nbi-sems.com.

Costello focuses his practice on estate planning and administration; elder law; litigation and disputes among beneficiaries; general federal and state tax law and controversies; and the formation, dissolution, purchase and sale of all types of closely-held business entities.

He represents individuals in all aspects of general and sophisticated estate planning, including drafting wills, lifetime and testamentary trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, prenuptial agreements and co-habitation agreements, employing sophisticated strategies when warranted matters include family limited liability companies (“LLCs”), sales to intentionally defective grantor trusts, spousal lifetime access trusts (“SLATS”), dynasty trusts and charitable trusts.  His representation of fiduciaries covers all aspects of estate and trust administration, including preparation and filing of federal and state estate and income tax returns; representation in IRS and New Jersey Division of Taxation audits; litigation and disputes among beneficiaries; preparation and filing of federal and state estate and inheritance tax returns; and defending those returns on audit.

Costello has published articles and lectured extensively to civic and professional groups about a variety of estate planning, elder law and tax law topics.  He is a former Trustee and Advisory Board Council member of the Alzheimer's New Jersey (formerly known as the Greater New Jersey Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association), and a former Trustee and Secretary of the Bernardsville Library Foundation, Inc. and currently serves on the Vestry of the Church of St. John on the Mountain in Bernardsville, New Jersey.  Costello earned his J.D. from Western New England College School of Law and his M.L.T. from Georgetown University Law Center.