Bookbinder Law is a Marlton elder law and estate planning practice serving Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, and Mercer counties, founded in 1996 by Dana E. Bookbinder, a Certified Elder Law Attorney through the National Elder Law Foundation. The firm assists executors and families with probate and estate administration, special needs planning, and guardianships across South Jersey.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Burlington County, New Jersey
How probate works in Burlington County: the Surrogate's Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Burlington County Surrogate's Court
Burlington County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Office
50 Rancocas Road, 1st Floor, Mount Holly, NJ 08060
Website
Filing in person
Appointment required
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
Filing in person
Appointment requiredThe office works by appointment, in person and by phone, email and regular mail; call 609-265-5005 to schedule. Probate and administration appointments are in person for executors and administrators who live in New Jersey, and record searches are also by appointment. Replies to calls and emails take 24 to 36 hours.
Self-represented filing
AllowedThe forms page carries the probate and administration information sheets, renunciations, guardianship consents, the refunding bond and release, and the office fee schedule.
Accepted payment
- At the counterCash, Check.Check or cash for the filing fees.
County forms
- Probate Information SheetSent with a certified death certificate before a probate; staff call to schedule the signing once the documents are ready.
- Administration Information SheetSent with a certified death certificate before an administration when there is no will.
- Surrogate Record Search RequestRequests a search of the Surrogate's estate records.
P.O. Box 6000
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
Fax
1-609-261-4511
Departments
- Probate and administration1-609-265-5005 · surrogates@co.burlington.nj.us
- Estate litigation, adoptions and minors' funds (Superior Court matters)1-609-265-5235
- Superior Court guardianships1-609-265-5201
- Minors' funds1-609-265-5238
About the court
- An online index of the estates on record is reached from the office's Records Search page.
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Burlington County
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 Burlington County, probate runs through the Surrogate's Court at 50 Rancocas Road, 1st Floor, Mount Holly.
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. Creditors have 9 monthsN.J.S.A. 3B:22-2, 3B:22-4, 3B:22-8, 3B:22-10, 3B:22-33Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the date of death.
What Probate Costs in Burlington County
What probate costs in Burlington 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 50 Rancocas Road, 1st Floor, Mount Holly.
New Jersey charges $100N.J.S.A. 22A:2-30Verified Oct 17, 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%Modeled estimate under R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (counsel fee out of the estate); R. 4:42-9(b) (affidavit of services; RPC 1.5(a) factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney serving as fiduciary): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.9%Modeled estimate under R. 4:42-9(a)(3) (counsel fee out of the estate); R. 4:42-9(b) (affidavit of services; RPC 1.5(a) factors; no statutory percentage); N.J.S.A. 3B:18-6 (attorney serving as fiduciary): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
New Jersey sets executor compensation by statute — about $20,500 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 4.1%N.J.S.A. 3B:18-14Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members 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%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under 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.
How to File Probate at the Surrogate's Court
Probate cases in Burlington County are filed at the Surrogate's Court. File in person during business hours or by mail.
Beside the filing office, the court lists separate lines for Probate and administration, Estate litigation, adoptions and minors' funds, Superior Court guardianships, and Minors' funds.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
New Jersey has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not availableN.J.S.A. 3B:3-17, 3B:3-19; 2B:14-1 (Surrogate is the Judge and Clerk of the Surrogate's Court — no non-judicial/registrar track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Burlington County Self-Filing Assessment.
Burlington County Filing Requirements
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Before You File
Information sheet sent ahead with the death certificate
Attorneys and out-of-state executors or administrators complete the Probate or Administration Information Sheet and send it by certified mail, FedEx or UPS with a certified death certificate. When the documents are ready, staff call an attorney to schedule the signing, or call an out-of-state representative and mail the documents for signature.
SourceWhat to Bring
Filed with the opening petition at the Surrogate's Court: Original will and any codicils (lodged with the Surrogate for probate); Certificate of death, or other competent proof of death — the requirement may be dispensed with for good cause, and does not apply to an application for substitutionary letters (County Surrogates in practice ask for a certified copy with a raised seal); Application identifying the heirs / next of kin and persons entitled to letters, with their addresses and relationshipsN.J.S.A. 3B:3-17 (probate of will & grant of letters), 3B:3-22 (10-day wait), 3B:10-1, 3B:10-2, 3B:10-13 (letters of administration)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Death Certificates and the Medical Examiner in Burlington County
In Burlington County certified copies of the death certificate come from the Local Registrar of the town or city where the death occurred, or from New Jersey Department of Health - Office of Vital Statistics and Registry.
Vital Records Office Record
New Jersey Department of Health - Office of Vital Statistics and Registry
Burlington County · State vital records office
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:00 PM (except state holidays)
Office
140 East Front Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
Website
Certified copies
From the Local Registrar of the town or city where the death occurred, or from New Jersey Department of Health - Office of Vital Statistics and Registry
Vital Record Mail Services
Attn: New Jersey Vital Records
P.O. Box 222130
El Paso, TX 79913
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $25 |
| Each additional copy ordered at the same time | $2 |
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Medical Examiner
Burlington County · Burlington County Medical Examiner Office
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
4 Academy Drive, Westampton, NJ 08060
Website
Release of remains
1-609-265-7105 · 24-hour line · 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Mail and offices
Fax
1-609-265-5989
Verified November 3, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Burlington County
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 Burlington County are recorded with the County Clerk at 50 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, NJ 08060. Phone: 1-609-265-5122. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 6000, Mount Holly, NJ 08060.
The County Clerk charges $30 for the first page plus $10 for each additional page.
Burlington County accepts electronic recording through the New Jersey County Recording portal.
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Burlington County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Office
50 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly, NJ 08060
Website
P.O. Box 6000
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
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 Seller | $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 SurchargeRequired with most deeds | $5 |
| 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 October 16, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Burlington County
New Jersey allows independent administrationN.J.S.A. 3B:14-23 (fiduciary powers without court authorization); 3B:16-2 (inventory only if the court requires it); 3B:17-2 (accounting only if required)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so the personal representative manages, pays and distributes the estate without returning to the court for approval at each step. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in New Jersey are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Burlington 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.
Price & Price is a father-and-son elder law and estate planning firm founded in 1973 in Haddonfield. With over 50 years of experience, the firm focuses on elder law matters and serves clients across seven South Jersey counties. Carl Ahrens Price is a Certified Elder Law Attorney and Casey Price holds a Master of Laws in Taxation.
Simeone & Raynor is a Cherry Hill firm in Camden County, with a second office in Medford, serving South Jersey. The firm handles estate planning, estate administration, and estate litigation, and its attorneys routinely appear in probate courts and serve as court-appointed administrators across the region.
Gary F. Woodend practices from Medford and files through the Burlington County Surrogate in Mount Holly, also serving Camden and Ocean County families. The practice covers probate and estate administration, intestate succession, estate tax, and access to a decedent's online accounts, alongside wills and simple estate plans. The firm publishes its fee schedule on its own site.
Founded in 1876, Capehart Scatchard is a Mount Laurel firm serving Burlington County and South Jersey. Its Wills, Trusts & Estates attorneys handle probate and estate administration, trust administration, estate litigation, elder law, and Medicaid planning for executors, trustees, and beneficiaries.
Sherman, Silverstein, Kohl, Rose & Podolsky is a Moorestown firm in Burlington County whose estate group handles probate and estate administration, will and trust contests, guardianships, and Medicaid and asset-protection planning for clients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The firm offers free same-day consultations, with emergency consultations available for urgent matters.
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.
Legal Sources
(10)·
- N.J.S.A. 22A:2-30
- N.J.S.A. 3B:14-23 (fiduciary powers without court authorization); 3B:16-2 (inventory only if the court requires it); 3B:17-2 (accounting only if required)
- N.J.S.A. 3B:18-14
- N.J.S.A. 3B:22-2, 3B:22-4, 3B:22-8, 3B:22-10, 3B:22-33
- N.J.S.A. 3B:3-17 (probate of will & grant of letters), 3B:3-22 (10-day wait), 3B:10-1, 3B:10-2, 3B:10-13 (letters of administration)
- N.J.S.A. 3B:3-17, 3B:3-19; 2B:14-1 (Surrogate is the Judge and Clerk of the Surrogate's Court — no non-judicial/registrar track)
- N.J.S.A. 22A:4-4.1 (L.1965, c.123, s.2; last amended L.2007, c.144)
- Burlington County Surrogate's Court, official page
- Burlington County Clerk, official page
- Burlington County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
Data sourced from New Jersey statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Tools for Settling an Estate in New Jersey
Free tools for settling an estate in New Jersey: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in New Jersey: creditors have 9 monthsN.J.S.A. 3B:22-2, 3B:22-4, 3B:22-8, 3B:22-10, 3B:22-33Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
See the Steps
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in New Jersey happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeN.J.S.A. 3B:31-1 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
See the Steps
Can I Self-File Probate?
New Jersey has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not availableN.J.S.A. 3B:3-17, 3B:3-19; 2B:14-1 (Surrogate is the Judge and Clerk of the Surrogate's Court — no non-judicial/registrar track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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