Union county probate court nj

The Surrogate’s office is now open to the general public BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Our office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. 

It is not necessary to appear in person, however, if you prefer to come to this office, please call 908-527-4280 to schedule an appointment.

If you prefer not to appear in person, you can email, mail or fax to 908-351-9212 the information sheet, death certificate, copy of Will and asset page to our office.

If using email, please send all documents to Susan Dinardo at [email protected]. 

Once received, all paperwork will be reviewed, processed and sent to you or your attorney for signature and returned to this office for filing and preparation of fiduciary documents.

All Superior Court, Chancery Division, Probate Part matters should be handled in a similar manner.  You should mail new Complaints and Orders to Show Cause to the office for review and filing.  Any emergent matters should be emailed directly to Lisa Brophy, Esq. at [email protected] for review. 

For any additional questions and/or concerns please email Deputy Surrogate, Sharda Badri at [email protected] and Counsel, Lisa Brophy at [email protected].

I believe I have a responsibility as Surrogate to keep the people of Union County aware of the necessity for estate planning and have therefore prepared this web site for your information.

It is important for you to know if you leave no Will, the laws of New Jersey will determine who shall receive your property. The law makes no distinction as to youth or age, illness or health, wealth or poverty, or any of the many other special circumstances which often vitally affect the well being of your own family, or the special causes that are most important to you. Only through a legal Will can you provide for those you love.

This web site is also provided to inform you of the services to which you are entitled from the Union County Surrogate’s Office.

Please be assured that my staff and I are here to advise and assist you in any matter pertaining to these services. Our office is located on the Second Floor, Old Annex, Union County Court House, 2 Broad St., Elizabeth, New Jersey. If we can be of any help to you, if you have a question, or if you wish to arrange a date to have the Surrogate speak before your club or organization, contact us at this office or call 908-527-4280

James S. LaCorte

Surrogate
908-527-4280

Sharda Badri

Deputy Surrogate
[email protected]

Susan Dinardo

Special Deputy Surrogate

[email protected]

Lisa Taylor Brophy, Esq.

Counsel
[email protected]

New Jersey County Surrogates

The many duties of the Surrogate’s Court include the probating of wills, appointing of estate administrators, supervising the appointment of guardians and administering adoptions.

The Surrogate is responsible for settling the estate of every county resident who dies individually owning any assets in New Jersey–whether or not that resident dies leaving a will. Therefore, the Surrogate reviews and probates wills and appoints Executors, Administrators and guardians of minors. In addition, the Surrogate administers and invests monies  primarily for minor children who receive judgments in New Jersey.

As Deputy Clerk of the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Probate Part, the Surrogate dockets, reviews and schedules all actions pertaining to will contests, estate matters, accountings, mental incompetencies, guardianships of incompetents and all adoptions occurring in Bergen County. In addition, all documents involved in all County Surrogate Court matters are recorded, stored and maintained by the County Surrogate’s Court.

Below are links to each NJ County Surrogate website.

To browse for additional New Jersey legal and law-related links, please return to our resources page.   Know of a good resource that we should list?Please contact our New Jersey law firm today and let us know.

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This page will provide you with the following:

Links to the Union County probate court's website, the address, a map and a phone number to call to get more information.

You'll also find links to:

• frequently asked questions about New Jersey probate,
• probate forms and fees for Union County,
• land records office locations for Union County.

Where to file?

Where do I file a petition for probate in Union County, New Jersey?

In the New Jersey Court system, probate is handled by the "Superior Courts"

The Superior Court for Union County:

NAME OF COURT:

Union County Surrogate

WEB ADDRESS:

Website Link

PHONE:

908-527-4280

ADDRESS:

Second Floor, Old Annex, Union County Court House,
2 Broad St., Elizabeth, New Jersey 07207

MAP:

GoogleMap

FAQ/SELF-HELP INFO FOR PROBATE

STATE INFO

New Jersey Courts Self Help Materials for Probate:

http://www.essexsurrogate.com/

COUNTY INFO

Union County Court Self Help Materials for Probate:

http://ucnj.org/surrogate/wills-estates-and-probate/probating-a-will/

FORMS & FEES

STATE

New Jersey Probate Forms, for use in all of New Jersey

New Jersey Probate Forms

Union County PROBATE FEES:

Union County, New Jersey Probate Fees Information:

New Jersey Probate Fees URL

Union County Probate Fees Page

LAND RECORDS

Where can I check county land records?

In order to transfer ownership of real property after someone dies, you need to find the last recorded property deed. A county land records office is the place to research and request such deeds.

STATE LAND RECORDS OFFICE

http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~natalieb/clerks.htm

COUNTY LAND RECORDS OFFICE

https://ucnj.org/county-clerk/

Union County Surrogate, James S. La Corte is pleased to announce that County residents will now be able to handle probate matters at the new Linden Public Library located at 31 East Henry St. in Linden. Services are to be provided on the second Tuesday of every month at this location by appointment only.

All relevant information pertaining to the estate must be received by the Surrogates Office prior to scheduling an appointment. A list of required information can be found online at ucnj.org/surrogate-information-sheet.

The hours at the new site begin 5:30 p.m. and appointments can be scheduled by contacting the Surrogate's office at 908-527-4280. For the benefit of county residents evening hours are also available at the following locations:
Cranford
The first Monday of each month
Cranford Community Center
220 Walnut Ave., Cranford
Union
The third Wednesday of each month
Union Township Municipal Building
1976 Morris Ave., Union
Summit
The fourth Thursday of each month
Summit City Hall
512 Springfield Ave., Summit

The Union County Surrogate keeps County residents informed on matters of estate planning, probating wills, and guardianship accounts. Their main office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is located on the second floor of the Union County Court House, on 2 Broad St. in Elizabeth.

For additional information, or to find out about other services available through the Surrogate's office, contact them directly at 908-527-4280 or visit them online at ucnj.org/surrogate.

Child Support Payments

Child support cash payments accepted Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at 1141 East Jersey Street, Elizabeth, NJ.

Emergent Court Filings

Send emergent court filings to [email protected]

Main Number:

Use these extensions for:

If filing a temporary restraining order and it is after 4 p.m., you may go to your local police department or leave a message at the number listed above. Your call will be returned the next business day. Please leave a message with your name, a phone number, and provide a time when it is safe to return your call.

If this is an emergency or you are in need of police assistance, call 911 or contact your local police department.

If you are unsure about which court office to contact, have limited online access, or need legal assistance referral information, contact the Office of the Ombudsman at ext. 21028.

Technology Rooms Available for Union