How Long Does the Executor/Estate Administrator Have to Notify Heirs in New Jersey?
Estate administration can be complicated. The executor or estate administrator has a number of different duties—including the responsibility to notify heirs. You may be wondering: What is the deadline for heirs to be notified in New Jersey? The answer is generally 60 days from the date probate was opened. Here, our Monmouth County probate lawyer explains how long executors and estate administrators have to notify heirs in New Jersey.
An Executor or Estate Administrator is Responsible for Handling Probate
An executor or estate administrator oversees the distribution of the deceased’s assets in New Jersey. When probate is opened, an executor or estate administrator will be appointed. The role involves validating the will, cataloging assets, paying debts, and distributing the estate to rightful heirs. The executor or estate administrator must ensure that all legal and financial obligations are met.
Note: An executor is named in the will. An administrator is appointed by a probate court if there is no will or if no executor was named in the document. They serve a similar role once in place.
All Heirs and Beneficiaries Must Be Notified Upon the Process
In New Jersey, the executor or estate administrator must inform all identified heirs and beneficiaries as part of the probate process. Prompt notice is a must. It informs heirs of their potential inheritance and the commencement of probate and it allows them to assert any claims or objections related to the estate. An heir is any person who would inherit from the estate under New Jersey law if no will was in place. A beneficiary is anyone named as one within a valid will.
The Deadline to Notify Heirs is 60 Days from the Opening of the Probate Process
New Jersey law requires that executors or administrators notify all heirs within 60 days of the probate process starting. The deadline helps ensure that the process moves forward efficiently and that all interested parties are aware of their rights and the timeline for estate administration. To be clear, the deadline does not start from the date of the decedent’s passing. 60 days begins from the opening of the probate process. The sooner notice is given, the sooner the process can move forward.
A Proper Notice Should Be Sent By Mail
Proper notification to heirs and beneficiaries in New Jersey must be executed through mail. Sending notices via mail ensures a verifiable record of communication. Executors should use certified or registered mail to provide proof of mailing and receipt. Otherwise, disputes could potentially arise over notice or lack thereof.
Contact Our New Jersey Probate Lawyer Today
At Poulos LoPiccolo PC, our New Jersey probate attorney is committed to protecting the rights and interests of clients. If you have any questions about notification of heirs, we are here to help. Contact us today for a completely confidential, no obligation consultation. From our office in Monmouth County, we provide probate law representation throughout New Jersey.
