Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New Jersey

Re: Contestng a will

There is no good way to address a question such as yours in a short-answer forum like this. You have to find a way to engage a lawyer to help you.

Re: Contestng a will

While I agree with John that this is a difficult question to answer now, one suggestion. Since your daughter is a minor, have the Court consider appointing a guardian ad litem to represent her. I do not know if this will be done, or who will pay for it. Will contests are very expensive forms of litigation. Is what she may possibly inherit worth the expense?

Re: Contestng a will

Check with the Bar Association in your county - it may have a list of lawyers who will take a case like yours on a low-fee or deferred fee [not payable until you/your minor child receives money] basis.

When you were called "representative", did the court mean that you are personal representative [the person responsible for administering the estate of the decedent] of the estate, or representative of your daughter's interest?

You should also, as Mr. LeVine pointed out, ask the court to appoint a guardian ad litem for your daughter in this matter. The court may have a panel of lawyers who are available to take on this matter on behalf of the minor.

And, yes, a trustee must be appointed to handle funds that are for the benefit of your minor child, since children do not have legal capacity to own property or hold funds by themselves.