Maria A. Cestone

Of Counsel

973-631-6045
Maria A. Cestone

Maria A. Cestone

Of Counsel

mcestone@cmg.law
350 Mount Kemble Avenue
P.O. Box 1917
Morristown, NJ 07962
Direct 973-631-6045
Fax (973) 267-6442
350 Mount Kemble Avenue
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

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

350 Mount Kemble Avenue
P.O. Box 1917
Morristown, NJ 07962
Direct 973-631-6045
Fax (973) 267-6442
Services
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)