Free New Jersey forms for planning an estate or settling one: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed, and the probate forms an executor files.
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
In New Jersey, a will is signed before 2N.J.S.A. 3B:3-2Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyN.J.S.A. 3B:3-2Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
New Jersey allows a choice for a healthcare power of attorney: 2New Jersey Commission on Legal and Ethical Problems in the Delivery of Health Care sample Proxy Directive (published by the NJ Department of Health; not codified in statute)Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses or a notary.
New Jersey requires explicit durability language for a power of attorney to survive incapacityN.J.S.A. §§ 46:2B-8.1 to 46:2B-8.14 (Revised Durable Power of Attorney Act); R.S. 46:14-2.1; R.S. 46:14-6.1; N.J.S.A. §§ 3B:14-61.9, 3B:14-61.10 (RUFADAA)Verified Sep 18, 2026View source, and it is signed before a notaryN.J.S.A. §§ 46:2B-8.1 to 46:2B-8.14 (Revised Durable Power of Attorney Act); R.S. 46:14-2.1; R.S. 46:14-6.1; N.J.S.A. §§ 3B:14-61.9, 3B:14-61.10 (RUFADAA)Verified Sep 18, 2026View source.
In New Jersey, a pour-over will is signed before 2N.J.S.A. 3B:3-2Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in New Jersey: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.
In New Jersey, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 2.4%R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (court may allow a counsel fee out of the estate in a probate action) and R. 4:42-9(b) (fee must be supported by an affidavit of services addressing the RPC 1.5(a) reasonableness factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney also serving as fiduciary)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.9%R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (court may allow a counsel fee out of the estate in a probate action) and R. 4:42-9(b) (fee must be supported by an affidavit of services addressing the RPC 1.5(a) reasonableness factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney also serving as fiduciary)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
Probate in New Jersey takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate and charges attorney fees of typically 2.4%R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (court may allow a counsel fee out of the estate in a probate action) and R. 4:42-9(b) (fee must be supported by an affidavit of services addressing the RPC 1.5(a) reasonableness factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney also serving as fiduciary)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.9%R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (court may allow a counsel fee out of the estate in a probate action) and R. 4:42-9(b) (fee must be supported by an affidavit of services addressing the RPC 1.5(a) reasonableness factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney also serving as fiduciary)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.
An attorney-prepared revocable trust in New Jersey runs $4,440Estimate: 10 hours at $444, Clio's New Jersey Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $6,660Estimate: 15 hours at $444, Clio's New Jersey Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $1,305Estimate: 3 hours at $435, Clio's New Jersey Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,610Estimate: 6 hours at $435, Clio's New Jersey Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
Probate on a $500,000 estate in New Jersey costs an estimated $35,885R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (court may allow a counsel fee out of the estate in a probate action) and R. 4:42-9(b) (fee must be supported by an affidavit of services addressing the RPC 1.5(a) reasonableness factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney also serving as fiduciary)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 2.4%R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (court may allow a counsel fee out of the estate in a probate action) and R. 4:42-9(b) (fee must be supported by an affidavit of services addressing the RPC 1.5(a) reasonableness factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney also serving as fiduciary)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.9%R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (court may allow a counsel fee out of the estate in a probate action) and R. 4:42-9(b) (fee must be supported by an affidavit of services addressing the RPC 1.5(a) reasonableness factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney also serving as fiduciary)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
New Jersey automatically revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorceN.J.S.A. 3B:3-14Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.
Probate on a $500,000 estate in New Jersey costs an estimated $35,885R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (court may allow a counsel fee out of the estate in a probate action) and R. 4:42-9(b) (fee must be supported by an affidavit of services addressing the RPC 1.5(a) reasonableness factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney also serving as fiduciary)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source and takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees of typically 2.4%R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (court may allow a counsel fee out of the estate in a probate action) and R. 4:42-9(b) (fee must be supported by an affidavit of services addressing the RPC 1.5(a) reasonableness factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney also serving as fiduciary)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.9%R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (court may allow a counsel fee out of the estate in a probate action) and R. 4:42-9(b) (fee must be supported by an affidavit of services addressing the RPC 1.5(a) reasonableness factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney also serving as fiduciary)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate. Estates under $20,000N.J.S.A. 3B:10-3Verified Sep 8, 2026View source can use a small-estate procedure instead.
77 estate planning firms in New Jersey, by county and firm type.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to discuss your situation and verify their current practice areas and availability.
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77 firms
FirmHackettstown, NJ
Lavery, Selvaggi & Cohen covers Warren County and surrounding areas with estate plans ranging from simple to highly sophisticated. Their trusts and estates practice covers estate and gift tax planning, special needs trusts, and Medicaid planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planningand 2 more
FirmMorganville, NJ
Levine, Furman & Rubin serves Monmouth and Middlesex counties from its Morganville office, with a second office in Ocean County. The firm handles estate and trust administration, probate, guardianships, special needs planning, and Medicaid and elder law matters, in addition to wills and living trusts.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawTax Planningand 3 more
FirmAtlantic City, NJ
Levine, Staller, Sklar, Chan & Brown is a full-service Atlantic City law firm established in 1978 with 12 partners. Multiple partners concentrate on estates, trusts, estate planning, and federal and state tax matters.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTax Planningand 3 more
FirmNew Providence, NJ
Founded in 1954, Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper is based in New Providence in Union County, serving central and northern New Jersey. Its attorneys handle estate planning and estate and trust administration, including probate, estate inventory, creditor notification, and fiduciary support for executors and trustees.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawTax Planning
FirmRoseland, NJ
Mandelbaum Barrett, founded in 1930 and based in Roseland in Essex County, expanded through its January 2026 merger with Ivey, Barnum & O'Mara. Its trusts and estates attorneys handle estate planning, estate and trust administration, elder law, and asset-protection matters for New Jersey families.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawAsset Protection
Solo PracticeHoboken, NJ
The Law Office of Frank Marciano serves Hudson County families from Hoboken, filing through the Hudson County Surrogate's Court in Jersey City. The practice handles probate of estates after death and intestate succession where there is no will, and drafts last wills, living wills, and living trusts structured to avoid probate.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawTrustsWills
FirmToms River, NJ
The Matus Law Group serves Ocean County and the Jersey Shore from Toms River, with a second office in Red Bank. Founder Christine L. Matus handles probate and estate administration, guardianships, special needs trusts, and Medicaid planning, with particular focus on families that include a member with special needs.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawGuardianshipand 3 more
FirmNewark, NJ
McCarter & English, headquartered in Newark, runs a Trusts, Estates & Private Clients practice serving individuals, business owners, and financial institutions. Its attorneys handle estate and personal tax planning, charitable giving, estate administration, and fiduciary litigation.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more
FirmPrinceton, NJ
Mason, Griffin & Pierson has been a Princeton community firm since 1955, serving Mercer County. Its Estates & Trusts group handles probate, estate and trust administration, and estate, gift, GST, and New Jersey inheritance tax matters, advising fiduciaries and beneficiaries and preparing wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningTrustsWills
FirmMontvale, NJ
Meyerson, Fox, & Conte serves Bergen County from Montvale, filing through the Bergen County Surrogate in Hackensack. Its wills, trusts and estate group handles estate administration and contested estate matters alongside guardianship and disability work, and partner Mark Conte has spoken on contested guardianships with the Chancery Division bench.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more
FirmLittle Falls, NJ
The Montanari Law Group covers Passaic County from Little Falls, serving Woodland Park, Wayne, West Milford and Clifton and filing through the Passaic County Surrogate in Paterson. Its estate attorneys take executors through probate and estate administration and draft wills and living trusts. The firm offers free initial consultations and flexible appointment times.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate
FirmClifton, NJ
The Law Offices of Franklin S. Montero serves Passaic County from Clifton, handling probate through the Passaic County Surrogate's Court in Paterson. The firm assists families with probate and estate administration, guardianships, powers of attorney, and health care directives, and drafts wills and trusts. It is a Spanish-speaking office serving clients across northern New Jersey.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipTrustsWills
FirmNewton, NJ
Founded in 1899, Morris, Downing & Sherred is one of the oldest and largest firms in Sussex County, based in Newton. Its estate attorneys handle probate and estate administration, wills and trusts, asset protection, and life estates for families across northern New Jersey. The firm offers a free initial consultation.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipAsset Protectionand 2 more
Solo PracticeEast Brunswick, NJ
Robert C. Nisenson practices from East Brunswick and files through the Middlesex County Surrogate in New Brunswick. He advises heirs, beneficiaries, personal representatives and estate administrators on probate and estate administration, and prepares wills and trusts. The initial consultation is free.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate
FirmBridgewater, NJ
Norris McLaughlin specializes in Estate Planning and Administration & Wealth Preservation with a 15-attorney practice group, serving clients throughout North and Central Jersey.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawTax Planning
FirmBrick, NJ
O'Malley, Surman & Michelini has served Ocean and Monmouth counties for over 40 years. Co-founder Gregory A. Surman has practiced law in Ocean County since 1976 and concentrates on estate planning, trust and estate administration, taxation, probate, and elder law.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawTax Planning
FirmHackensack, NJ
Pashman Stein Walder Hayden is a Hackensack firm in Bergen County, with a second office in Holmdel. Its Trusts & Estates group advises individuals, families, and financial advisors on trust and estate planning, gifting, and wealth preservation, and handles probate litigation and elder law and special needs matters.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more
FirmJersey City, NJ
A Jersey City-based firm serving Hudson County with a focus on estate planning, probate, and trust law. They create customized estate plans including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrustsWills
FirmClark, NJ
A Union County firm founded in 1998 with a focus on helping families and small business owners with estate planning. Michael Forrester has more than 20 years of experience in estates and trusts work.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTrustsWills
FirmWayne, NJ
Petriello Law serves Passaic County families from Wayne, administering estates through the Passaic County Surrogate's Court in Paterson. The firm works with executors to gather and value estate assets, settle the decedent's debts, taxes, and bills, and distribute the remaining assets, and pairs estate administration with a real estate practice for estates holding property.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateWills