Pursuant to the Rules of Court,
the personal representative of an estate is required to mail, within sixty (60)
days of the probate of a will, notice in writing that the will has been probated.
The “notice of probate” must be sent to the decedent’s spouse, heirs, next of
kin, other persons (if any) entitled to letters, and all beneficiaries under
the will. Such notice must also contain additional information including, but
not limited to, the place and date of probate and the name and address of the
personal representative. Within ten (10) days of mailing, proper proof of same
must be filed with the Surrogate.
If the name or address of anyone
entitled to notice of probate is not known, or cannot by reasonable inquiry be
determined, then it may be necessary to publish the notice in a newspaper of
general circulation in the county naming or identifying those persons as having
a possible interest in the probate estate. Additionally, in the event that any
property in the will is devoted to a present or future charitable use or
purpose, like notice must be mailed to the Office of the Attorney General. In
this instance, the Attorney General is entitled to a copy of the will with the
notice, and it may be necessary to continually involve the Office of the
Attorney General in the administration of the estate.
Although failure to provide the
necessary notice of probate will ordinarily not render the probate judgment
void, failure to provide the required notice could be of significant
consequence, especially in the event of a will contest.
Because estate administration, estate litigation,
and Will contests require particular knowledge, you may wish to consult with an
experienced attorney if you have questions regarding a loved one’s or your own
Last Will and Testament, your or your loved one’s Power of Attorney, suspicions
of undue influence, the probate process, administration of an estate or trust,
fiduciary obligations, preparation of a formal or informal accounting,
refunding bonds and releases, and the procedures for removing an executor or
administrator from office. This article
is for information purposes only, and is neither legal advice nor the creation
of an attorney client relationship.
Justin M. Smigelsky, Esq. /
Timothy J. Little, P.C. - 2017 - All Rights Reserved
Probate / Estate Practice Areas: Will
contests and disputes, caveats, the elective share, undue influence claims, Power
of Attorney abuse and inter vivos gift disputes, drafting of Wills and
Trusts, appointment and removal of fiduciaries, probate
procedures, intestacy, fiduciary duties and obligations, fiduciary accountings
and exceptions, fiduciary compensation, marshaling of assets, actions to compel
an inventory, actions to remove a fiduciary, insolvency petitions, ejectment
and eviction from estate or trust property, Refunding Bonds and Releases, New
Jersey Transfer Inheritance Tax (IT-R), New Jersey Estate Tax (IT-Estate)
Timothy J. Little, P.C. is a full-service law
firm with offices in Woodbridge and Chesterfield, New Jersey. Timothy J.
Little, P.C. represents clients throughout New Jersey including Middlesex
County (Old Bridge, Woodbridge, Sayreville, East Brunswick, Spotswood, Perth
Amboy, Dunellen, Colonia, Sewaren, Iselin, Avenel, Fords, Keasbey, Menlo Park, Port Reading, South Amboy, Monroe Township, Edison, Carteret, Cranbury, Helmetta, South River, Milltown, Highland Park, Jamesburg, Laurence Harbor), Monmouth County (Aberdeen, Matawan, Hazlet, Holmdel, Cliffwood Beach,
Keyport, Keansburg, Middletown, Lincroft, Manalapan, Englishtown, Marlboro, Howell,
Freehold, Colts Neck, Rumson), Union County (Rahway, Elizabeth), Ocean County
(Jackson, Brick, Point Pleasant, Toms River), Somerset County, and Burlington
County (Chesterfield).
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