Many people mistakenly believe that it is only important for people with significant assets to have valid wills. However, if you die without a validly executed will your property will be distributed according to New Jersey’s intestacy statutes. Intestacy statutes begin with your closest living relatives and continue until your property is distributed. You will need to assign guardianship of your children and a trustee of your assets. If you have no eligible beneficiaries under intestacy, your property escheats to the state. Effectively, a will is your only way to control what happens to your possessions and provide for the people of your own choosing. Our attorneys are also able to help you appoint someone you trust to handle your affairs if you become legally incompetent. This is known as a power of attorney and grants authority someone the authority to make decisions about your personal, medical and financial affairs.
Our criminal defense attorneys regularly appear in the criminal and municipal courts throughout New Jersey on behalf of our clients. Shanna McCann has been designated as a Municipal Court Law Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. With decades of significant education and practical experience supporting them, our incomparable criminal law attorneys are uniquely capable of providing the highest level of support for you.
DUI/DWI
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs – DUI cases are some of the most common violations that many people face. First time convictions usually result in fines and community service. Multiple convictions can lead to thousands of dollars in fines and significant time in jail.
Wrongful Death
• Family of apartment tenant who attempted to open his stuck door by striking it with his fist, but who missed the wooden frame and put his arm through a glass window, resulting in his death, brought a wrongful death and survivorship action against the apartment owner.
Traffic Violations
Sex Crimes
Serious indictable crimes – We have defended high-profile cases ranging from gun charges, serious drug charges, sex crimes, endangering the welfare of disabled adults, tampering with evidence, official misconduct, and more.
Fraud
• An appeal of a final agency decision of the Division of State Police involving whether a New Jersey State Trooper was entitled to an award of counsel fees, pursuant to state statute, as a result of having to defend against an indictment charging official misconduct, credit card fraud and identity theft.
Theft
Drug Crimes
Assault
Assault – Assault charges range from relatively minor simple assault to serious aggravated charges that can result in severe penalties.
Identity Theft
• Sergeant with the New Jersey State Police was indicted on charges of official misconduct, credit card fraud and identity theft. After charges were dismissed, he filed an action alleging that his rights under the United States Constitution and New Jersey law were violated.
Chance & McCann represents employees in employment litigation. Whether you have been discriminated against, wrongly terminated, or harassed, we can help. Our lawyers have aggressively and successfully handled many types of employment disputes, including wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination, and many other employment-related disputes. Below is a list of our practice areas.
Personal injury cases are legal disputes that arise when one person suffers harm from an accident or injury, and someone else might be legally responsible for that harm. The type of injury could be physical or emotional and could stem from person or from a defective product.
Medical Malpractice
Auto Accidents
Dog Bites
In New Jersey, a dog owner can be held strictly liable for the injuries caused by a bite from his or her dog regardless of the owner’s knowledge of any previous viciousness. Strict liability means that the owner is held responsible or liable for the damages the dog causes, regardless of fault or blame for the accident. Under N.J.S.A. § 4:19-16 (the “Dog-Bite” statute), the injured person must show three elements for the owner to be liable...
Planning for the future is an essential task that must be tackled to protect the interests of you and your family. Through estate planning, wills and trusts allow you to delineate how you want your real and personal property and assets distributed. At Chance & McCann attorneys are committed to helping you understand the tenets of estate planning and making the process as simple and seamless as possible.
Wills
Planning for the future is vital to protecting what you’ve worked hard for during your life. At Chance & McCann, our experienced wills and trusts attorneys provide personalized counsel to help you make sound decisions.
• In mortgage foreclosure action, the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Cumberland County, held that mortgagee could receive award of attorneys fees in excess of $7,500 following foreclosure, regardless of sum adjudged to be paid to mortgagee.
Tax Law
Andrea focuses her practice in the areas of real estate, tax appeals, wills and municipal government. She attended West Virginia University and earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware in 1985. Andrea received her law degree from Widener …