Housing & Legal
Staying in your home safely, downsizing, wills, powers of attorney and New Jersey's inheritance rules.
4 in-depth guides
Aging in place in NJ: making your home safe and comfortable
Room by room changes, what they cost, who can help pay and how to hire a contractor safely in New Jersey, from split-levels to shore condos.
Estate planning basics for New Jersey seniors
Wills, powers of attorney, advance directives, POLST, inheritance tax and probate, explained in plain English for New Jersey families.
Where to live next: senior housing choices in New Jersey
From staying put to a continuing care community, here is what each option offers, what care costs in New Jersey, and what to ask before you sign.
Selling the family home in New Jersey: a downsizing guide
A realistic timeline, how to sort a lifetime of belongings, and the New Jersey tax rules every older seller should know before listing.
Questions people ask
Do I need a written contract for a small home repair in NJ?
New Jersey requires a written contract for home improvement jobs of $500 or more. It must include the contractor's registration number, dates, a description of the work and the total price.
How do I check whether a contractor is registered?
Call the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-242-5846, or ask your county consumer affairs office. They can also tell you about complaints.
Does New Jersey still have an estate tax?
No. There is no New Jersey estate tax for people who died on or after January 1, 2018. The state still has an inheritance tax, but it does not apply to Class A heirs such as spouses, children and grandchildren.
Do my children pay inheritance tax on what I leave them?
No. Children, stepchildren, grandchildren, spouses, domestic or civil union partners, parents and grandparents are Class A beneficiaries and owe no New Jersey inheritance tax.
Who licenses assisted living in New Jersey?
The New Jersey Department of Health licenses assisted living residences and nursing homes. You can look up a facility in its online facility search.
Who oversees continuing care retirement communities?
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs runs a CCRC Program under the Continuing Care Retirement Community Regulation and Financial Disclosure Act. Operators must register and give prospective residents a disclosure statement. Call 609-984-7905 with questions.
Who qualifies for the senior realty transfer fee rate?
Sellers 62 or older who own and live in a one- or two-family home and are New Jersey residents. For married couples owning as tenants by the entirety, only one spouse needs to qualify. Claim it on Form RTF-1 with the deed.
Do I pay the mansion tax when I sell?
For deeds recorded on or after July 10, 2025, the seller pays New Jersey's mansion tax on sales over $1 million, at graduated rates from 1% to 3.5%. Confirm the details with your closing attorney.
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