In New Jersey, the person who passes on the validity of a will, gives the executor proof of his authority to administer the estate and sees to it that the executor handles the estate properly, is called the Surrogate. Each county has a Surrogate's Court and the Surrogate is the Judge of that court.

The Surrogate is elected for a term of five years, pursuant to the Constitution of New Jersey. The Surrogate administers a court which is almost certain to touch the lives of every person in the county at some time. Aside from the appointment of a guardian for a minor who comes into an estate, or the supervision and preparation of adoptions, or incompetency hearings, it is common, after death, to visit the Surrogate's Court for the appointment of someone to handle the estate of the deceased.

We at the Warren County Surrogate's Office are here to serve you, the public.  Please feel free to contact us for any assistance that we might offer you.