Tools for Planning Your Estate in New Jersey

In New Jersey, a will is signed before 2 witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimony.

All Planning ahead Settling an estate

21 tools for New Jersey

How Much Does Probate Cost?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in New Jersey costs an estimated $35,885. Attorney fees run 2.4% to 3.9% of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.

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Who Inherits Without a Will?

Without a will in New Jersey, a surviving spouse takes the entire estate when every child of either spouse is a child of both, and descendants divide what passes to them per capita at each generation.

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How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?

New Jersey levies an inheritance tax, paid by the beneficiary at a rate set by relationship, and no estate tax; the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,000.

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Do I Need Probate?

In New Jersey, estates valued at $20,000 or less use the Affidavit of Surviving Spouse or Next of Kin, a court filing short of full probate.

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What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?

An attorney-prepared revocable trust in New Jersey runs $4,440 to $6,660 and a simple will $1,305 to $2,610, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.

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How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?

An attorney-prepared revocable living trust in New Jersey runs $4,440 to $6,660 for an individual, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.

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How Much Does a Will Cost?

An attorney-prepared will in New Jersey runs $1,305 to $2,610, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $35,885.

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How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

In New Jersey, four years at a public university cost about $117,568 and the cost of living is 9% above the U.S. average; an inheritance tax falls on beneficiaries by relationship.

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How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?

Inherited assets in New Jersey take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death, and the gain on a later sale faces ordinary income tax at the state's regular rates.

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Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?

New Jersey automatically revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorce; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.

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What Are the Estate Laws in My State?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in New Jersey costs an estimated $35,885 and takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees of typically 2.4% to 3.9% of the estate. Estates under $20,000 can use a small-estate procedure instead.

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How Does SimplyTrust Compare to LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and Other Services?

Compare what it costs to make a trust official across SimplyTrust, LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker.

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How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children?

In New Jersey, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18.

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What Are the Burial and Cremation Laws in My State?

New Jersey allows you to name your own agent in a signed, written document, and that designation takes priority over the statutory order of next of kin who otherwise control disposition of the remains.

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How Do I Sign Estate Documents?

Find witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.

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Will My Estate Documents Transfer?

Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.

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Do I Need a Revocable Trust?

Probate in New Jersey takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate and charges attorney fees of typically 2.4% to 3.9% of the estate; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.

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Do I Need a TOD Deed?

New Jersey does not authorize transfer on death deeds; sole-name real property goes through probate, at least 6 months for a simple estate, unless held in a trust or with a right of survivorship.

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Do I Need a Vehicle TOD?

New Jersey allows a transfer-on-death beneficiary designation on a vehicle title, filed through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).

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How Do I Open a Trust Account at My Bank?

Compare trust-account requirements bank by bank: how a revocable trust account is opened or retitled, and what proves the trust.

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A will in New Jersey costs what the provider charges. An online service runs $0 to $299 up front. An attorney in New Jersey charges around $435 an hour for wills and estates work, which puts a simple will at $1,305 to $2,610. The document is only part of the cost: probate adds about $35,885 on a $500,000 estate in fees the heirs pay later.

A revocable living trust in New Jersey costs what the provider charges. An online service runs $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription. An attorney in New Jersey charges around $444 an hour for trust work, which puts an attorney-prepared trust at $4,440 to $6,660 for an individual plan.

No. New Jersey does not allow transfer on death deeds. New Jersey has not adopted the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act or any TOD deed statute for real property. TOD deeds for real estate are not authorized in NJ.

In New Jersey, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will. It needs your signature and 2 witnesses, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18. It can be recorded alongside the rest of an estate plan when you create a revocable living trust.

In New Jersey, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 2.4% to 3.9% of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee. The trust also distributes assets faster than the 6 months to 9 months probate timeline a simple estate takes.