Warren County, NJ
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Warren County Surrogate
323 Front Street
Belvidere, NJ 07823
Appointments
In order to serve you efficiently, it is suggested that you call for an appointment.
908-475-6223
908-475-4219 (Fax)
Mailing Address
Warren County Courthouse
413 Second Street
Belvidere, NJ 07823
Michael J. Doherty, Surrogate
Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Why Everyone Should Make a Will
- Everyone who owns property - real or personal - has an estate. When no will exists, real and personal property are not distributed according to the decedent's wishes. Rather, it is distributed according to the statutes of New Jersey.
- A will saves your heirs time and money, and allows you to plan the orderly transfer of your property. You decide to whom, when and in what amounts your assets should be distributed. You select the executor who is responsible for the payment of your debts and the disposition of your estate.
- A will can be prepared by an attorney who specializes in will drafting or estate planning and who can guide you to the best decisions after obtaining facts only you can give. If you do not have an attorney, you can contact the Warren County Bar Association referral service by email at infor@warrencountybar.org.
- You don't need to itemize your assets, nor do you need to state disposition by item. It is not mandatory to make bequests only to family members. Friends or charities may also be beneficiaries of an estate. A will does not affect your ability to sell or dispose of the property.
- A will is also where you can appoint a guardian and establish trusts for your minor children.
- A will must be written, signed by the testator, witnessed by a least two persons and attested to by a notary or attorney. The original copy of your will is the legal document and must be signed.
- Keep your original will in a safe place, but let the executor know where it can be found. Keep your will current with changes in your life such as marriage, the birth of a child, or death of a beneficiary.
- You can change your will at any time by having a codicil prepared. Do not change your will by marking it in any way. Marking your will could destroy it as a legal document and may require a court hearing to probate the will.