N.J. Stat. tit. 2B, ch. 14

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 2B:14-1 Election of surrogates

2B:14-1. Election of Surrogates. A Surrogate shall be elected to serve in each county for a five-year term commencing January 1 after election. The Surrogate shall be both the Judge and Clerk of the Surrogate's Court. L.1999,c.70,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:14-2 Bond of surrogates

2B:14-2. Bond of Surrogates. A county may require the Surrogate to enter into a faithful performance bond and may set the amount and terms of the bond. The bond, after approval by a judge of the Superior Court, shall be filed with the Secretary of State; a copy shall be filed with the clerk of the county governing body. L.1999,c.70,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:14-3 Salaries of surrogates.

2B:14-3. Salaries of Surrogates. The board of chosen freeholders in each county shall fix the Surrogate's annual salary by resolution in an amount equal to not less than sixty-five percent (65%) of the annual salary of a Judge of the Superior Court which shall not be diminished during the term of office or during any consecutive terms served by the Surrogate. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require that a surrogate whose annual salary exceeds the amount provided for herein shall be reduced, or that a board of chosen freeholders may not increase the salary of a surrogate in excess of the amount provided for herein. L.1999, c.70, s.1; amended 2001, c.370, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:14-4 Disqualification; referral to assignment judge

2B:14-4. Disqualification; referral to Assignment Judge. a. Neither the Surrogate nor any employee of the Surrogate's office may perform duties respecting a matter if the Surrogate is a fiduciary or has an interest in a matter. b. When the Surrogate and employees are disqualified from performing their duties, the matter shall be referred to the Assignment Judge of the county for appropriate disposition. L.1999,c.70,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:14-5 Filling vacancy in surrogate's office

2B:14-5. Filling vacancy in Surrogate's office. If a Surrogate does not take office within 30 days after the end of the preceding term or a vacancy occurs in the office of Surrogate, the Governor, with advice and consent of the Senate, shall fill the vacancy from the political party of the person last elected to the office. The person appointed shall serve until election and qualification of a successor. Election of a successor for a five-year term shall occur at the next general election unless the vacancy occurs within 37 days before the election, in which case it shall occur at the second succeeding general election. L.1999,c.70,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:14-6 Recorded documents

2B:14-6. Recorded documents. The Surrogate shall record: a. Orders and judgments of the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Probate Part; b. Fiduciary bonds required by law; c. Accounts of fiduciaries, disclaimers, revocations, renunciations and requests; d. Wills proved before the Surrogate or the Superior Court, together with proofs; e. Letters testamentary, of administration, of guardianship or of trusteeship issued by the Surrogate and relevant documents; f. Receipts and releases given to fiduciaries; and g. Other documents which the Surrogate is required by law to record. L.1999,c.70,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:14-7 Acknowledgment, proof

2B:14-7. Acknowledgment, proof. Receipts and releases shall be acknowledged or proved prior to recording. The acknowledgment or proof shall be recorded with the receipt or discharge by the Surrogate of: a. The county which is issuing the relevant letters; b. The county where the seller of real estate resides; or c. The county where the trust-related property is located. L.1999,c.70,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:14-8 Recording

2B:14-8. Recording. The Surrogate shall determine the means of recording instruments and the county shall furnish equipment and supplies for recording. L.1999,c.70,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:14-9 Filing

2B:14-9. Filing. On the first Monday in January, April, July and October, annually, the Surrogate shall file with the Clerk of the Superior Court indexes of all wills proved before the Surrogate or the Superior Court and a report of all letters of administration granted in the previous three months. L.1999,c.70,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:14-10 Deputy surrogate; special deputy surrogate

2B:14-10. Deputy Surrogate; Special Deputy Surrogate. a. A Surrogate may appoint a Deputy Surrogate who shall serve at the pleasure of the Surrogate. b. During the Surrogate's absence or disability or in the event of a vacancy in the office of Surrogate, the Deputy Surrogate shall exercise all powers and duties of the Surrogate's office. c. A county may require that the Deputy Surrogate enter into a faithful performance bond and may set the amount and terms of the bond. d. A Surrogate may appoint an employee to be Special Deputy Surrogate. The Special Deputy Surrogate shall serve at the pleasure of the Surrogate and, during absence or disability of the Surrogate and Deputy Surrogate or when there is both a vacancy in the Office of the Surrogate and no Deputy Surrogate, the Special Deputy Surrogate shall exercise all the powers and duties of the Surrogate. L.1999,c.70,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:14-11 Special probate clerk

2B:14-11. Special Probate Clerk. A Surrogate may designate one or more employees to serve as Special Probate Clerk. A special probate clerk shall serve at the pleasure of the Surrogate and may exercise the same powers as the Surrogate in taking depositions of witnesses to wills, qualifications of executors and administrators, acceptance of trusteeships and guardianships, and oaths and affirmances. L.1999,c.70,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:14-12 Executive secretary; chief clerk

2B:14-12. Executive Secretary; Chief Clerk. A Surrogate may, in his discretion, appoint an Executive Secretary and a Chief Clerk, both of whom shall serve at the pleasure of the surrogate. L.1999,c.70,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:14-13 Other employees' appointment; compensation

2B:14-13. Other Employees' Appointment; Compensation. The Surrogate shall select and appoint the Deputy Surrogate, any special Deputy Surrogate, Executive Secretary, Chief Clerk and engage all other employees, who shall receive such compensation as shall be recommended by the Surrogate and approved by the county governing body. L.1999,c.70,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2B:14-14 Preparation of annual budget request by county surrogate.

8. A county surrogate shall prepare the annual budget request for the office of the county surrogate pursuant to the requirements of section 3 of P.L.2015, c.249 (C.40A:4-45.45b). L.2015, c.249, s.8.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026