Probate in Bergen County runs through the Surrogate's Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Bergen County, settling their estate runs through the Surrogate's Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
Probate Court Record
Bergen County
Address
Phone
Hours
Accepted paymentCash, Check, Money order. Cash, a check drawn on a New Jersey bank bearing a New Jersey address, certified check, or money order. Credit and debit cards are not accepted. Out-of-state personal checks are not accepted unless certified.
By appointment only. Surrogate Michael R. Dressler passed away December 4, 2025; the NJ Courts surrogate directory now lists Aprill Fronduto-Slavin for Bergen County pending the November 2026 general election for a permanent successor. Probate inquiries: bersurrprobate@bergencountynj.gov; general correspondence: bersurrcorrespondence@bergencountynj.gov. Additional department emails: court division bersurrcourt@bergencountynj.gov, finance bersurrfinance@bergencountynj.gov, records bersurrrecords@bergencountynj.gov, letters bersurrletters@bergencountynj.gov.
Verified July 4, 2026 · Source
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Bergen County, probate runs through the Surrogate's Court at Two Bergen County Plaza, Suite 5000, Hackensack.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under New Jersey intestacy law when there is no will.
Most New Jersey estates take 9 months to 12 months to move through this process. The 9 monthsN.J.S.A. 3B:22-4Verified Sep 8, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
What probate costs in Bergen County, New Jersey comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Surrogate's Court at Two Bergen County Plaza, Suite 5000, Hackensack.
New Jersey charges $100N.J.S.A. 22A:2-30Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in New Jersey are negotiated, 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 estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is also statutory in New Jersey. Family executors who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%N.J.S.A. 3B:15-1Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in New Jersey typically runs 9 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
Probate cases in Bergen County are filed at the Surrogate's Court. File in person during business hours or by mail.
How to File Your Documents
You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Surrogate's Court is realistic.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Bergen County Self-Filing Assessment.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Notice of probate requirement
Within 60 days after probate of will, personal representative must mail notice to all beneficiaries and persons designated by R. 4:80-1(a)(3). Proof of mailing must be filed with Surrogate within 10 days.
SourceIdentification requirements for fiduciaries
Must provide photocopy of 2 forms of ID (driver's license, passport, work ID, etc.) and photocopy of proof of address (utility bill, credit card bill, etc.).
SourceProbate filing requirements
Must provide original Last Will & Testament, certified death certificate with raised seal, and statutory fee. Death certificate and will must be originals, not copies.
SourceAppointment required for all visits
Appointments required for all business including picking up or dropping off materials. Contact office after submitting documents to schedule appointment.
SourceBefore You Go
An appointment is required to file in person. Submit the required documents (by mail, email, or drop-off) first; a clerk then contacts you to schedule the probate appointment. Include a daytime phone number or email to avoid delay.
Cash, Check, Money order. Cash, a check drawn on a New Jersey bank bearing a New Jersey address, certified check, or money order. Credit and debit cards are not accepted. Out-of-state personal checks are not accepted unless certified.
To file at the Surrogate's Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Clerk.
Deeds and other real property documents for Bergen County are recorded with the County Clerk, led by County Clerk John S. Hogan, at One Bergen County Plaza, Room 150, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Phone: (201) 336-7036. Hours: Registry Office (filing land documents): Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
The County Clerk charges $30 for the first page plus $10 for each additional page.
Bergen County accepts electronic recording through CSC (erecording.com).
Recording Office Record
Bergen County · County Clerk · John S. Hogan
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $30 |
| Each additional page | $10 |
| Deed Abstract FeeRequired with most deeds | $10 |
| RTF-1 Affidavit of Consideration for Use by SellerRequired with most deeds | $10 |
| RTF-1EE Affidavit of Consideration for Graduated Percent Fee | $10 |
| GIT/REP-1, GIT/REP-3, GIT/REP-4 Seller's Residency Certification / ExemptionRequired with most deeds | $10 |
| County Homelessness Housing Trust Fund Surcharge | $3 or $5 per document (county option; $0 where not adopted) |
| Missing Cover Sheet / Electronic Synopsis Fee | $20 |
| Indexing Fee (names beyond 5) | $6 |
N.J.S.A. 22A:4-4.1 (L.1965, c.123, s.2; last amended L.2007, c.144)
Verified September 7, 2026 · Source
New Jersey uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Bergen County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.
Probate attorney fees in New Jersey are based on reasonable compensation — 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's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Bergen County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Surrogate's Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
FirmMontvale, NJ
Beattie Padovano is a Bergen County law firm founded in 1970 by James R. Beattie and Ralph J. Padovano. The firm provides estate planning, administration, and litigation services alongside corporate, real estate, and commercial litigation practices.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigation
FirmSaddle Brook, NJ
Cohn Lifland Pearlman Herrmann & Knopf, founded in 1924, is one of the oldest firms in Bergen County, based in Saddle Brook. Under third-generation leadership, its estate practice handles wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, probate, and estate litigation for northern New Jersey families.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrustsWills
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
FirmRoseland, NJ
Connell Foley's Taxation and Estate Planning team works from the firm's Roseland home office in Essex County, with a second Bergen County office in Hackensack and two in Jersey City. The group handles estate planning, estate and trust administration, charitable planning, and related tax matters, and litigates disputes between beneficiaries and fiduciaries. Partner Anthony F. Vitiello leads it.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax PlanningCharitable 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
FirmHackensack, NJ
Shapiro Croland sits minutes from the Bergen County Surrogate and Superior Court in Hackensack and runs a dedicated probate litigation practice across northern and central New Jersey. It represents fiduciaries and estate beneficiaries in contested wills, fiduciary and guardianship disputes, and estate administration, and takes local-counsel roles for out-of-state lawyers.
PracticesEstate AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTrust LitigationGuardianship
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Data sourced from New Jersey statutes and official state code. How we research.
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