Probate and Estate Administration with NJ Surrogates By Kenneth Vercamme...

Probate and Estate Administration while some Surrogate offices still closed to the public Prior to Covid, Executors had to make a personal appearance in the County Surrogate’s Office. Due to Covid, County Buildings and Surrogate’s offices were closed to the public. Therefore, to handle probate matters when there is a valid Will we first fill out the Surrogate’s Information Sheet. Then we forward the Surrogate’s Information Sheet together with a copy of the Will and copy of Death Certificate. Each County Surrogate has its own procedures. Then the surrogate is sent by certified mail: - Original Will - Original Death Certificate - Signed Surrogate papers - Check typically for $160 We receive paperwork from the Surrogate to be signed by the Executor then we file with the Surrogate: - Notarized Application for Probate - Notarized Auth to accept process - Notarized child support form Thereafter, the Surrogate will forward your attorney or you the Letters Testamentary. We handle almost everything by email, fax and certified mail. If there is no Will, the procedure is more complicated, called an Administration. All the beneficiaries need to sign a Renunciation. We then fill out, notarize and file the following document with the Surrogate. [ X ] Application Administration [ X ] Renunciation by all Beni [ X ] Administration Affidavit of assets [ X ] Administrator Qualification [ X ] Power of Attorney Administration [ X ] Child support lien notice [ X ] acknowledgement receipt of bond info [ X ] Original Death Cert If all beneficiaries will not sign the Renunciation, then an expensive Complaint and Order to Show Cause must be filed requesting a Superior Court Judge to select someone to be the estate Administrator.