At Ward, Shindle & Hall, we often work on behalf of families to act as the administrator of a deceased loved one’s estate or trust.
Administration of a Will in New Jersey:
If the decedent left a will, the personal representative must file a petition for probate with the Surrogate’s Court in the county where the decedent resided at the time of death. The petition must include the following documents:
- A certified copy of the decedent’s death certificate
- A copy of the decedent’s will
- An affidavit from the personal representative stating that they are willing and able to serve
Once the petition for probate is filed, the Surrogate’s Court will appoint the personal representative and issue Letters Testamentary. The personal representative then has the authority to administer the estate.
Administration of a Trust in New Jersey:
If the decedent left a trust, the trustee must first take possession of the trust assets. The trustee then has the responsibility of managing the trust assets according to the terms of the trust. This may involve investing the trust assets, paying the trust’s expenses, and distributing the trust’s assets to the beneficiaries.
Termination of the estate administration:
Once the personal representative or trustee has completed all of the necessary tasks, they can file a petition for final distribution with the Surrogate’s Court. The petition must include an accounting of the estate’s assets and liabilities, and a statement that all of the creditors’ claims have been paid. If the court approves the petition, the estate will be considered to be closed and the personal representative or trustee’s duties will be terminated.
Estate administration can be a complex and time-consuming process. It is important to have an experienced estate planning attorney to help you through the process. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights and obligations, and can represent you in court if necessary.
To learn more about our estate and trusts administration services or to schedule a consultation with the Ward, Shindle & Hall team, please contact our firm at (856) 853-7771.
Do You Need Legal Assistance With Your Estate Planning?
Contact Us!
NJ Estate Law Blogs & Articles
We see clients make the same mistakes in estate planning over and over. There is plenty of information out there...
Read More
While it can seem morbid, making end-of-life decisions is important to both your estate and your loved ones. There is...
Read More
This article should make you familiar with the general inheritance tax considerations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Tax considerations...
Read More
Aretha Franklin's estate battle teaches us lessons about a properly executed will. The recent jury verdict in the case of...
Read More
Undue influence in New Jersey can become a problem when transferring property according to a Last Will and Testament, as...
Read More
Did you know that if someone dies without a valid will, the law of intestacy in NJ governs who inherits...
Read More
Estate planning is an ongoing process that often requires changes. It is likely that you’ll have to make changes and...
Read More
If loved ones are manipulating a loved ones will after their demise you may be asking yourself the question of...
Read More
Estate Planning in New Jersey can be a complicated task. Often, when considering who will benefit from your assets in...
Read More
An unsigned will In New Jersey means nothing, if you write a will and do not properly sign it then...
Read More
As tax season approaches, the thing that most people do not realize is that a final tax return needs...
Read More
Our tangible personal property is often important to us, as is ensuring they go to the desired family or friends...
Read More
When drafting your Will and contemplating the probate process, it is good to know your options when it comes to...
Read More
When you revoke a will you void the previous will, this mainly happens when the old will no longer serves...
Read More
When drafting your Last Will and Testament, it is important to know what steps must be taken in order for...
Read More
When addressing your funeral arrangements it can be easy to disregard certain elements of estate planning when you’re giving attention...
Read More
Determining and paying the debts of the decedent and ensuring they are paid is one of the most important steps...
Read More
Amending or Revising a Will and Testament can take a lot of time, money, and energy. Codicils are an alternative....
Read More