Should You Appoint Co-Executors In Your Will?

By: Marc S. Galella, Esq. of R.C. Shea & Associates

As I explain to people when discussing estate planning, one of the reasons you do a Last Will and Testament, and possibly the most important reason, is to provide for the orderly disposition of your assets at the time when you pass away.

A common question that is asked when I am preparing an estate plan is whether someone should appoint more than one person to be their executor. In almost all cases my answer is NO. I do not believe that someone should appoint more than one person to be the executor of their estate.

My reason for this is quite simple. If you appoint two persons to be your co-executors it would require that both of those persons agree on all decisions that need to be made in handling your estate and all documents related to your estate would need to be signed by both persons. In the best-case scenario this can be cumbersome. In many cases, the co-executors do not reside in the same town, which would require that the documents that need to be signed have to be mailed to obtain the necessary two signatures. Of course, this additional mailing would translate into additional costs for the estate.

The problem that we have encountered is what happens when the two co-executors cannot agree on how to settle the estate? For example, suppose the estate has a house that needs to be sold and the co-executors cannot agree on the sales price. Having the co-executors fighting with each other is not the “orderly disposition of your assets.” If the two co-executors cannot agree on various decisions on behalf of the estate, the only recourse available would be for one of them to go to court and ask a judge to remove the other co-executor. In such a case, a judge will have to choose between the “good” co-executor and the “bad” co-executor. Unfortunately, in many of these cases each co-executor will try to present evidence to the court as to why the other co-executor is the “bad” co-executor. In many cases, the judge will conclude that if the two co-executors cannot agree then it is best to remove them both and appoint an independent person to act as the executor for the estate. (Legally this person would be referred to as an administrator CTA.)

Thus, you could wind up with a perfect stranger handling your estate because your two co-executors could not cooperate with each other. Accordingly, I always urge people not to appoint co-executors but rather to choose the individual they think is best capable of acting as the executor and then naming the other person as an alternate executor in the event the fi rst person is incapable of acting.

Learn To Play ‘Dungeons & Dragons’

TOMS RIVER – Ever wanted to learn to play “Dungeons & Dragons,” but didn’t know how to start? As part of our Adult Summer Reading Program theme, “All Together Now,” the Ocean County Library will present a “Dungeons & Dragons” crash course at six branches:

• Manchester Branch, 21 Colonial Drive, 732-657-7600, 6:30 p.m. July 19

• Plumsted Branch,119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, 609-758-7888, 6:30 p.m. July 24

• Lacey Branch,10 East Lacey Road, 609693-8566, 6:30 p.m. August 7

• Stafford Branch,129 N. Main Street, Man- ahawkin, 609-597-3381, 6:30 p.m. August 23

• Toms River Branch, 101 Washington Street, 732-349-6200, 6:30 p.m. August 28

The presentation will cover basics of the Fifth Edition. Learn how to fill out a character sheet, what each part means, and how to run a campaign as a Dungeon Master. This 90-minute program will help develop your gaming skills and get you started on a pastime full of fun and adventure.

Register at theoceancountylibrary.org/ events for this free program. For more information, visit or call any participating branch, or call 732-349-6200.

Zumba Classes

WHITIING – Crestwood Village VI announces Zumba with Ashley every Thursday afternoon from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Deerfield Clubhouse, 6 Congasia Road, Manchester. All villages are welcome. For more information, call 609-405-3234.

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The plan includes 23 basins and nine manufactured treatment devices to manage stormwater runoff.

Development

There are an above average number of crashes in these miles compared to other spots on the road, the Authority said. This part of the road was originally constructed in the 1950s, and is not made to take the kind of traffic it sees now.

There will also be more construction projects that will bring even more cars. One of them that the Authority cited was the redevelopment of downtown Toms River, with proposed apartment towers. There’s also the rerouting of traffic downtown that’s being considered.

Another big project is a multi-use condo complex in South Toms River.

Changing Exit Numbers

The standard in numbering exits is that if they are part of a single exit, they will be assigned the same number. Therefore, 81, 82, and 82A will now be 82A, 82B and 82C. That’s because these will all be accessed from the Collector-Distributor.

Exit 80 Changes

If you’re heading north on the Parkway, there will be a new exit that will bring you to Route 9 south. In this case, we’re not talking about Route 166 or Atlantic City Boulevard or whatever it is called through Beachwood and South Toms River. We’re talking about that long road with no driveways on it that hits several lights before it joins what we commonly call Route 9. This is the road that gets backed up with traffic from Parkway south every rush hour and now traffic from Parkway north will also be routed to here.

If you’re heading the other way, onto Parkway north, you currently have two lanes which combine into one after the light at Route 530/Dover Road. The new plan would have those two lanes both continue as auxiliary lanes. They will lead to the Collector-Distributor roadway and to the rest of the Parkway.

Also near this intersection, Dover Road westbound will be widened under the Parkway to accommodate two lanes. The idea is that the light before going onto the Parkway would stay green longer because cars going west wouldn’t need as much time to go through.

A new southbound entrance ramp will be created from Double Trouble Road to Parkway south.

If you’re driving west on Dover, you would take the jughandle at Railroad Avenue then make a left to travel south on the Parkway.

A lot of people in this area trying to go south on the Parkway just take Double Trouble to interchange 77. This would provide an alternative. It would likely be more popular for people leaving South Toms River (and the new development) and Manitou Park and would prevent adding traffic on local roads.

A new traffic light will be built at Double (Changes - See Page 23)

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Trouble Road at the existing ramp with a designated left-turn lane. It will be coordinated with the traffic light that already exists at 530 so that traffic can flow through them both.

Currently, the off ramp at exit 80 is dangerous. There is a designated right turn lane that people new to the area don’t realize is there right away. Then, the rest of the exit opens into a spot where you can go left or right, but there’s not much room to make a decision if you’re not experienced with it. Then, making a left out of there is difficult because a truck sitting at the light can block your view of oncoming cars. Making a right is tricky, too, because Double Trouble is a bit higher on your left so you can’t see cars coming.

Sometimes cars line up so long at this exit that they are stopped on the Parkway. This new traffic signal will detect cars and will turn green if the line gets long.

Interchange 81

Interchange 81 will be called Interchange 82A. The Collector-Distributor roadways will have access to this.

Heading north, the exit ramp will be redesigned and will link with the proposed roundabout in downtown Toms River. The roundabout (fancy word for circle) is proposed to be at Highland Parkway, Lakehurst Road, and Water Street.

If you’re leaving Toms River and heading north, the traffic pattern won’t change on the ramp itself. The only change is that you will get onto the Collector-Distributor. From there, you would be able to either get off at 82B or the rest of Parkway north.

The bridge going over the Parkway at Lakehurst Road will be replaced. The new one will be constructed slightly to the north of the current bridge. That way, people will use the old one until the new one is ready. Then, the new one will open up and the old one will be demolished.

Heading south from downtown, the entrance ramp to the Parkway will be enhanced to meet the standards of other entrances but the traffic flow won’t change. Heading south on the Parkway, your exit will be at a different spot. You’ll get off north of Lakehurst Road and the exit ramp will cut through the woods and come to the traffic light at Lakehurst Road. The Park and Ride will be reconfigured but the number of parking spaces will remain the same.

Interchange 82

Interchange 82 and 82A will be called 82B and C. It will still remain as a clo- verleaf. However the entrances and exits will be improved and updated to modern design standards.

They will connect to and from the Collector-Distributor roadway. Weaving lengths along this stretch and Route 37 will either be the same or be lengthened.

Interchange 83

At Interchange 83, the Authority is working with engineers working for Ocean County for a new southbound exit ramp to Indian Head Road.

Between 82 and 83, there will be a fourth lane as well as a widening of the roadway to create standard shoulders on both sides.

Neighboring Land Impacted

The Authority wants to acquire about 15 acres for these changes. Of these, 8.81 acres are “partial fee acquisitions,” however 7.3 of these acres are publicly owned. Only .08 acres of residential property is proposed to be bought at Interchange 80. Concrete barriers are expected to minimize the impact to local properties since the lanes are going to widen, encroaching on neighbors.

Recently, residents of Evergreen Woods in Brick have complained that after the construction several years ago, the lack of trees has created a constant drone of noise that is sometimes extremely loud.

Timeline

Given the scope of the work and the number of applications that need to be made, this project will be years before completion. Construction is expected to begin in late 2025 and will take about four years. There are several approvals that would be needed before the project starts. Included is the New Jersey State Historic Preservation Office since the Parkway is a “historic district.”

The project is going through wetlands, flood hazards, and riparian zones. It’s also subject to the Coastal Area Facility Review Act, which means the State Department of Environmental Protection has to do a thorough and notoriously lengthy review.

Other environmental approvals will be needed from the NJ Pinelands Commission and the Ocean County Soil Conservation District.

Comments Welcome

The Authority is open to suggestions or comments via email to GSP80to83@njta. com. Written comments should be submitted to: New Jersey Turnpike Authority; Engineering Department; P.O. Box 5042, Woodbridge, NJ 07095-5042; Attn: Vincent Mignella, PE, Project Engineer

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732-830-1425

Call 732-831-4483

Items For Sale

Thule Kayak Rack - Two Hullavators, $750 each. Two crossbars $150 each. 732-673-7072. (32)

Lands Exercise Bike New - Foldable. New $75. 732-849-2626. (30)

Model Trains - Large collection of American Flyer and HO trains. Call 732-551-5028 - leave message. (32)

Maple Dining Table - With leaf and 6 chairs. 7'x39" with leaf. Good condition. $1,675. 732657-6166, 732-207-7414. (32)

Golf Clubs - Ladies right hand "Taylormade" with bag, $150. 732-232-5843. (31)

Items Wanted

COSTUME/ESTATE JEW -

ELRY Looking to buy costume/ estate jewelry, old rosaries and religious medals, all watches and any type of sterling silver, bowls, flatware candlesticks or jewelry. Same day house calls and cash on the spot. 5 percent more with this AD. Call Peggy at 732-581-5225. (t/n)

$$$ WANTED TO BUY $$$

Jewelry and watches, costume jewelry, sterling silver, silverplate, medals, military items, antiques, musical instruments, pottery, fine art, photographs, paintings, statues, old coins, vintage toys and dolls, rugs, old pens and postcards, clocks, furniture, brica-brac, select china and crystal patterns. Cash paid. Over 35 years experience. Call Gary Struncius. 732-364-7580. (t/n)

Vintage Lighters wanted - One piece or entire collections. Looking for Zippo, Dunhill, Ronson, Cartier and European lighters. Email: vintageltr@aol.com or call Ira at 201-774-8482. (28)

Entire Estates Bought - Bedroom/dining sets, dressers, cedar chests, wardrobes, secretaries, pre-1950 wooden furniture, older glassware, oriental rugs, paintings, bronzes, silver, bric-a-brac. Call Jason at 609-970-4806. (t/n)

CASH PAID!! LP records - stereos, turntables, musical instru-ments, guitar, saxophone, CD’s, reel tapes, music related items. Come to you. 732-804-8115. (30)

Cash - Top dollar, paid for junk, cars running and nonrunning, late model salvage, cars and trucks, etc. 732-928-3713. (t/n)

Vinyl Records Wanted - Paying cash for LP albums. Rock, Reggae, Blues, Jazz. Very Good condition only. Call Rick 908-616-4104. (30)

Used Guns Wanted - All types: collectibles, military, etc. Call 917-681-6809. (t/n)

Junk or Wrecked Cars and

Wanted - Cash paid. 732-6577251, Steve. Thanks. (29)

CASH, CASH, CASH! - Instant cash paid for junk cars, trucks, vans. Free removal of any metal items. Discount towing. Call Dano 732-239-3949. (t/n)

Ca$h Paid For Old 45 RPM Records. - R&B, doo wop, soul, early rock & roll, and rockabilly preferred. Call between 8AM and 8PM 909-938-4623. (20)