Shore Homeowners

Estate Planning for Shore Homeowners

Protect Your Pennsylvania Estate—and Your New Jersey Shore House Too

If you live in Pennsylvania but own a vacation home at the Jersey Shore, your estate plan needs to cover more than just your primary residence. At The Galam Firm LLC, we help families plan for their second homes, beach houses, and shore properties—ensuring your legacy is protected across state lines.

We focus on estate planning for homeowners with property in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, helping you avoid double probate, minimize taxes, and pass on your shore home exactly the way you want.

🌊 Why Estate Planning for Shore Homes Is Different

Owning a second home in New Jersey comes with special legal considerations—especially if you’re a Pennsylvania resident. Without the right plan in place, your family could face:

  • Double probate in two states

  • NJ inheritance taxes, even if you live in PA

  • Delays or disputes over who gets the beach house

  • Complications if the home is shared among multiple heirs

We help you create a plan that makes it easy for your loved ones to inherit and enjoy your shore home without legal red tape or family conflict.

🛠️ Our Estate Planning Services for Shore Homeowners

🏠 Wills & Trusts for Multi-State Property

Having property in two states means your will or trust needs to account for multi-jurisdictional laws. We help you:

  • Use a revocable living trust to avoid probate in both PA and NJ

  • Ensure your will covers your real estate clearly and legally

  • Create testamentary or supplemental trusts for your shore home

  • Plan for co-ownership, if multiple heirs will share the property

🧾 Deed Planning & Property Transfers

The way your shore house is titled will impact how it’s passed on. We review and update your deed as needed to reflect your estate goals.

  • Title transfers into trusts or between family members

  • Joint ownership vs. trust ownership strategies

  • Use of life estate or transfer-on-death deeds where applicable

  • Aligning ownership with your overall estate plan

🛡️ Minimizing NJ Inheritance Tax

New Jersey imposes inheritance taxes—even on out-of-state residents—if your heirs don’t fall into exempt categories. We help:

  • Identify who may owe NJ inheritance tax

  • Use tax-saving trusts or gifting strategies

  • Structure transfers to reduce or eliminate tax exposure

💼 Coordinating Multi-State Plans

Having one home in PA and another in NJ means your estate plan must work in both states. We handle the coordination so nothing falls through the cracks.

  • Aligning powers of attorney and healthcare directives

  • Avoiding multi-state probate through trust planning

  • Working with out-of-state advisors if needed

📍 Why Clients with Shore Homes Choose The Galam Firm LLC

✔ We Know Both Sides of the Bridge – We’re experienced with estate law in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
✔ Flat-Fee Pricing – Know your investment upfront. No surprises.
✔ Custom Legal Planning – Every plan is tailored to your family, your assets, and your wishes.
✔ White-Glove Support – We walk you through every step, answer every question, and make sure no detail is overlooked.

📞 Schedule Your Estate Planning Consultation Today

Your Jersey Shore home holds more than just memories—it’s part of your legacy. Let’s make sure it’s protected and passed on properly.

Call 856-528-9195 or click here to schedule your consultation.

❓FAQs About Estate Planning for Shore Homes

I live in PA—why do I need to worry about NJ probate?
Because your New Jersey property is subject to NJ probate unless it’s held in a trust. Without planning, your estate could go through probate in both states.

Will my heirs have to pay NJ inheritance tax?
Maybe. New Jersey still has an inheritance tax for non-lineal heirs (like siblings, nieces/nephews, or friends). We’ll help you determine risk and minimize exposure.

Can I leave the shore home to multiple people?
Yes—but shared ownership can get complicated. We help you structure clear agreements or trusts to reduce the risk of conflict.

Is it better to put the shore house in a trust?
Often, yes. A trust can help avoid probate, reduce taxes, and simplify inheritance. We’ll help you decide what works best for your situation.