One of Hunterdon County's oldest and largest law firms, Gebhardt & Kiefer has been providing legal services since 1884. Their estate planning practice drafts complex trust instruments including credit shelter, QTIP, special needs, and charitable remainder trusts.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Hunterdon County, New Jersey
How probate works in Hunterdon County: the Surrogate's Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Hunterdon County Surrogate's Court
Hunterdon County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
65 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822
Website
Filing in person
Appointment required
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
Filing in person
Appointment requiredSubmit the information sheet with copies of the death certificate and will through the online forms page, or email or fax them, and the office contacts you to schedule an appointment. The original signed will and an original death certificate are brought to the appointment and kept by the court.
Self-represented filing
AllowedAn attorney is not required for probate or administration. The office guides applicants through the process but does not give legal advice or recommend attorneys.
Accepted payment
- At the counterCash, Check, Credit card.Cash, check, Visa, Mastercard or Discover, with checks payable to Hunterdon County Surrogate. A check bearing the decedent's name is not accepted unless it is a joint spousal account.
P.O. Box 2900
Flemington, NJ 08822
Fax
1-908-788-1586
About the court
- The office is on the second floor of the Hunterdon County Justice Center at 65 Park Avenue in Flemington.
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Hunterdon 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 Hunterdon County, probate runs through the Surrogate's Court at 65 Park Avenue, Flemington.
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 Hunterdon County
What probate costs in Hunterdon 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 65 Park Avenue, Flemington.
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 Hunterdon County are filed at the Surrogate's Court. File in person during business hours or by mail.
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 Hunterdon County Self-Filing Assessment.
Hunterdon 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
Waiting periods after the death
Probate certificates issue only after ten full days have passed since the death, including the tenth day, and administration certificates after five full days, including the fifth. An application may be made in the meantime.
SourceDocument Requirements
Next of kin must all be listed
The information sheet asks for the names and full addresses of the decedent's closest next of kin, whatever their inheritance or estrangement, and an application that leaves someone out or lists an address as unknown is not accepted. If a named executor has died, bring a copy of that executor's death certificate.
SourceRecords Access
Records search requests
Estate records can be searched in person in the records room or by written request. A written request gives the decedent's name, the information needed and your contact details, with a $10 search fee payable to Hunterdon County Surrogate, mailed to the office.
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 Hunterdon County
In Hunterdon 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
Hunterdon 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
Hunterdon County · Hunterdon County Medical Examiner
Phone
Verified November 3, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Hunterdon 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 Hunterdon County are recorded with the County Clerk at 71 Main Street, Hall of Records Building, Flemington, NJ 08822. Phone: 1-908-788-1221. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 2900, Flemington, NJ 08822-2900.
The County Clerk charges $30 for the first page plus $10 for each additional page.
Hunterdon County accepts electronic recording through CSC, ePN and Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Hunterdon County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
71 Main Street, Hall of Records Building, Flemington, NJ 08822
Website
E-recording
P.O. Box 2900
Flemington, NJ 08822-2900
Fax
1-908-782-4068
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 |
| 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 Hunterdon 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 Hunterdon 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.
Augulis Law Firm works from Warren in Somerset County and serves Somerset, Middlesex, Union, Hunterdon and Morris families. The practice covers trust administration, Medicaid and elder law, special needs planning, and asset protection for family-owned businesses, alongside wills, trusts, and incapacity documents. Estate planning consultations are free.
Giuditta Law Firm provides estate planning and probate services to families in Union County and throughout New Jersey. Founding attorney Nicholas A. Giuditta III brings 30 years of experience and co-chairs the Union County Bar Association Elder Law Committee.
Founded in 1978, Hill Wallack is a Princeton firm serving Mercer County and central New Jersey. Its Trusts & Estates attorneys handle probate, collection of assets, payment of estate liabilities, estate tax returns, and distribution, guiding executors and trustees through estate administration alongside will and trust drafting.
Norris McLaughlin specializes in Estate Planning and Administration & Wealth Preservation with a 15-attorney practice group, serving clients throughout North and Central Jersey.
Hollander, Strelzik, Pasculli, Vandenberg, Hontz & Associates is a Sussex County law firm established in 1964. Janice D. Pasculli is a Certified Elder Law Attorney through the National Elder Law Foundation who devotes her practice to estate planning and elder law.
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)
- Hunterdon County Surrogate's Court, official page
- Hunterdon County Clerk, official page
- Hunterdon 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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