ESTATE ADMINISTRATION
Probate typically involves the following steps:
1. Send the original Last Will and Testament and an original death
certificate with a raised seal to the Surrogate in the County in which
the decedent resided.
2. Many Surrogates request that you complete an "Information Sheet"
which contains background information about the decedent, the
decedent's assets, and the decedent's next of kin. If you send this
information to the Surrogate in advance of your visit, it greatly
reduces the amount of time required with the Surrogate.
3. The executor named in the Last Will must appear before a
representative of the Surrogate to sign documents evidencing the
person's desire to serve as executor and the person's understanding
that the executor's actions are under the supervision of the
Surrogate.
4. Bring a personal check or money order for the Surrogate fees,
which will usually be less than $250.00. Many Surrogates accept
credit cards.
Please check the Surrogates' web sites (e.g.; Monmouth County Surrogate,
Ocean County Surrogate, Union County Surrogate) as they contain valuable
information about probate as well as directions to their office and
hours of operation.