P.O. Box 1917
Morristown, NJ 07962
Direct 973-631-6045
Fax (973) 267-6442
mcestone@cmg.law
P.O. Box 1917
Morristown, NJ 07962
In 2021, Maria A. Cestone joined the Estate, Trust and Taxation Group at Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP.
Maria concentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning and administration (domestic & International), the counseling of fiduciaries regarding estate, trust and charitable administration issues, as well as the creation, implementation and taxation of businesses and succession plans. Her clients include individuals, corporations (for profit and not-for-profit) and fiduciaries. From 2010 to 2021, Maria was a shareholder in Cestone & Thompson, P.C. Prior to forming Cestone & Thompson, P.C., Maria was the principal of The Law Offices of Maria A. Cestone. Prior to establishing her own law firm, Maria was associated with the Tax, Trust and Estate Department at Schenck, Price, Smith & King LLP.
Maria received her undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science from Drew University (1993), her law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law (1996) and her LL.M. (Taxation) from Boston University School of Law (2000). Upon graduation from law school, she clerked for the Hon. David S. Cramp, J.S.C.
She serves as Assistant Secretary of the Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association, having previously served as Secretary and Assistant Secretary of the Section’s Board of Consultors. She is a member of the NJSBA Section of Taxation, the New York-Presbyterian Hospital Planned Giving Advisory Council and the Bergen County Estate Planning Council. She is a prior member of the New Jersey Supreme Court Ethics Committee (District VB), having successfully completed a four-year term. Maria became a member of the Board of Directors of the Tahirih Justice Center in 2014 and has been elected as Secretary annually since. Since 2011, Maria has been a member of Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), a worldwide professional association for professionals advising families with international interests
Education
- Seton Hall University School of Law (J.D., 1996)
- Boston University School of Law (L.L.M., 2000)
- Drew University (B.S., 1993)
Professional Admissions
- United States Tax Court (1997)
- State of New Jersey (1997)
Speaking Engagements
Estate Planning for Special Situations, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2021
Basic Estate Administration, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2020
Trusts, National Business Institute, 2017
Estate Planning and Business Succession Planning, National Business Institute, 2016
Advanced Tax Exempt Organization Strategies, National Business Institute, 2015
Estate Planning for Special Situations, New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), 2015, 2011
Tax Exempt Entities From Start to Finish, National Business Institute, 2012
Estate Planning and Administration Seminar, New Jersey Law Journal, 2011
Probate Seminar, New Jersey State Bar Association Convention, 2011
Closely-Held Business Seminar, New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), 2009
Estate Administration Seminar, New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), 2008
Publications and Presentations
Cestone, Maria. A Cautionary Tale for Estate Fiduciaries and Beneficiaries of Estates with Closely Held Business Interests. New Jersey State Bar Association – Business Law Section Newsletter (discussing U.S. v. Johnson et al. (U.S.D.C. Utah) Memorandum decision dated May 23, 2012) (Fall 2012 Newsletter)
News
-
March 25, 2024
2024 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
March 25, 2024Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP is pleased to share that 11 of the Firm’s attorneys have been selected to the…
-
May 11, 2023
Coughlin Midlige & Garland Attorneys Selected for Super Lawyers / Rising Stars Lists
May 11, 2023Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP is pleased to share that twelve of the Firm’s attorneys have been selected to the 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list in their respective practice areas.…
-
April 13, 2022
Coughlin Midlige & Garland Attorneys Selected to 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
April 13, 2022Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP congratulates nine of our attorneys who have been selected to the 2022 Super Lawyers and…
-
January 3, 2022
Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP Expands Its Estate, Trust and Taxation Group
January 3, 2022Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP (CMG) is pleased to announce the expansion of our Estate, Trust and Taxation (ETT) Group…
-
November 19, 2021
Maria Cestone to Present at New Jersey State Bar Association Webinar
November 19, 2021Maria A. Cestone will be a speaker at a NJSBA/NJICLE webinar – “Estate Planning for Special Situations” on November 30, 2021. Maria’s topic…