What Do I Need to Sign My Will in New Jersey?
Witness, notary, and remote online notarization (RON) requirements for wills in New Jersey.
New Jersey requires 2 witnesses for a willN.J.S.A. 3B:3-2Verified Oct 19, 2026View source. A witness must be at least 18 years old.
New Jersey does not require notarization for a will to be validN.J.S.A. 3B:3-2Verified Oct 19, 2026View source. The notary's usual role in New Jersey is the optional self-proving affidavit: a notarized statement signed with the will that lets it enter probate without locating the witnesses.
New Jersey has authorized remote online notarization for many documentsN.J.S.A. 52:7-10.9Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, but wills are excludedN.J.S.A. 52:7-10.9Verified Sep 9, 2026View source; the notarization happens in person.
To execute a will in New Jersey: Find 2 adults to serve as witnesses. Review witness restrictions to ensure eligibility. Get the document notarized (standard practice, not required). Wet signature and in-person signing required
Yes. New Jersey has not adopted the Uniform Probate Code, but its probate code accepts a will that was valid under the law of the place it was signed. The practical wrinkle is the self-proving affidavit: a foreign will without one forces the witnesses to be located and either appear or sign declarations, and re-executing on a New Jersey form, or adding a New Jersey affidavit, removes that step. The New Jersey document portability tool carries the recognition rule by document type.
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Learn moreForms for Planning Your Estate in New Jersey
Free forms for planning your estate in New Jersey: a will, living trust, pour-over will, both powers of attorney, living will, and TOD deed.
Last Will and Testament
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.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
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.
Financial Power of Attorney
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.
Vehicle Transfer on Death
Name a beneficiary to inherit your vehicle at death without probate. Available in 26 states and the District of Columbia.
Living Will
In New Jersey, the living will is the Instruction DirectiveN.J.S.A. 26:2H-53 to 26:2H-78 (New Jersey Advance Directives for Health Care Act, L.1991, c.201)Verified Sep 27, 2026View source, a written instruction that is valid with no agent named.
Pour-Over Will
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.
Tools for Planning Your Estate in New Jersey
Free tools for planning your estate in New Jersey: what a will or trust costs, whether you need a trust or TOD deed, and how documents are signed.
Will My Estate Documents Transfer?
Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.
Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
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.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable living 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 for an individual, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
An attorney-prepared will in New Jersey runs $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 $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $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.
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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 willN.J.S.A. 3B:3-1; 3B:12-13, 3B:12-14, 3B:12-15, 3B:12-17, 3B:12-18Verified Sep 16, 2026View source, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18N.J.S.A. 9:17B-3; N.J.S.A. 3B:12-13Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
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%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.
New Jersey Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering New Jersey probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.
