SPARTA, N.J. — Sept. 19, 2026 — Estate planning attorney Tamryn E. Valenzuela, Esq., known as “The NJ Legacy Lawyer,” is the featured guest on the latest episode of “Thought Leader Show: Legal Edition,” hosted by Dr. Tamara Patzer.
Valenzuela, chair of the Trusts & Estates Practice Group at Laddey, Clark & Ryan LLP in New Jersey, spent nearly two decades on the criminal side of the law before turning to estate planning after her own father died without a will. In the episode, titled “When Love Isn’t Enough: Why You Need a Will,” she discusses what happens to blended families when no will exists, why verbal wishes often fail even loving families, and the three documents she says every adult should have starting at age 18.
Valenzuela also describes a case in which an outdated beneficiary form left survivors filing annual gift-tax returns, and a 2026 case in which a child went months without health insurance after her father’s death because no guardian had been named.
“Ninety-eight percent of families sit in my office and say, ‘We all love each other,'” Valenzuela said in the interview. “But love doesn’t fill out a form.”
The episode is available now:
About Tamryn E. Valenzuela, Esq.
Tamryn E. Valenzuela, Esq. is Chair of the Trusts & Estates Practice Group at Laddey, Clark & Ryan LLP, with offices in Sparta, Morristown, and Phillipsburg, New Jersey. With more than two decades of legal experience, her practice covers estate planning, administration and litigation, guardianships, and long-term-care planning through individualized asset protection strategies. She previously served as judicial law clerk to the Hon. Angelo Servidio, J.S.C., Hudson County Vicinage, and as a court-appointed advocate for foster children and incapacitated individuals. She was named to the 2026 New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Stars list and serves as Secretary and Executive Board Member of the Sussex County Bar Association (2026–2027). She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Estate Planning Council of Northern New Jersey, and the New Jersey State Bar Association. Her community work includes hosting Wills for Heroes, coaching the Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition, and chairing a committee for the Patriot’s Path Council, Boy Scouts of America. She holds a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and a B.A. from Montclair State University. She is licensed in New Jersey and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
About Thought Leader Show: Legal Edition
Thought Leader Show: Legal Edition is produced by Dr. Tamara Patzer through TAMI LLC (Total Audience Market Immersion), a media and authority-building company based in Englewood, Florida. The show features in-depth conversations with attorneys recognized for excellence in their field, giving them a platform to share their expertise and connect with the clients and referral sources who need it. For more information, visit DailySuccessMedia.com.
- Business Innovators Radio: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/when-love-isnt-enough-why-you-need-a-will-with-tamryn-e-valenzuela-esq-the-nj-legacy-lawyer/
This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Tamryn Valenzuela is licensed to practice in New Jersey; laws vary by state. Figures mentioned are current as of the recording date. Consult an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction about your own situation.