Resources & Literature

• Internal Revenue Service – to obtain an estate identification number (EIN)
  PHONE: 1 (800) 829-4933
  WEB: http://www.irs.gov
• Salem County Bar Association – Lawyer Referral Service – to assist members of the community to get in contact with lawyers who practice in a particular area of the law.
  PHONE: (856) 935-5629
  EMAIL:
  WEB: www.salemcountybar.org
• Salem County Clerk’s Office – to obtain copies of deeds & mortgages recorded in Salem County.
  PHONE: (856) 935-7510 ext. 8206
  WEB: http://www.salemcountynj.gov
• Salem County Historical Society
  PHONE: (856) 935-5004
  WEB: http://www.salemcountyhistoricalsociety.com
• Salem County Office on Aging
  PHONE: (856) 935-7510 ext. 8622
  WEB: http://www.salemcountynj.gov/departments/office-on-aging
• Salem County Surrogate’s Court
  PHONE: (856) 935-7510 ext. 8323
  WEB: https://www.surrogate.salemcountynj.gov
• Salem County Veteran’s Services
  PHONE: (856) 339-8603
  WEB: https://veterans.salemcountynj.gov
• US Dept. of Veterans Affairs
  PHONE: 1 (800) 827-1000
• Social Security Administration (NJ)
  PHONE: 1 (800) 772-1213 OR 1 (800) 325-0778
  WEB: http://www.ssa.gov
• South Jersey Legal Services, Inc.
  PHONE: 1 (800) 496-4570 OR 1 (800) 691-0494
• State of New Jersey Department of Health Division on Aging
  PHONE: 1 (800) 792-9745 
  WEB – Senior Benefits: http://www.state.nj.us/health/seniorbenefits/services.shtml
  WEB – Aging and Community Services:  http://www.state.nj.us/health/senior/index.shtml
• State of New Jersey Department of the Treasury Division of Taxation Inheritance & Estate Tax Bureau
  PHONE: (609) 292-5033 OR 1 (609) 292-5035
  WEB: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation
• State of New Jersey Department of Health Division of Vital Statistics – obtain birth, death & marriage certificates
  PHONE: (609) 292-4087 ext. 582
  TOLL FREE: 1 (866) 649-8726
  WEB: http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/

• Administrator (also known as Personal Representative) – Person or institution appointed by the court to manage and distribute the estate of a person who dies without a will.
• Administrator Ad Prosequendum – Person designated by the Court to carry out the terms of a Will where the Will fails to name an executor.
• Beneficiary – Person named to receive property or benefits.
• Codicil – An addition or supplement made to change or add provisions to a will.
• Contingent beneficiary – Receiver or property or benefits if first-named beneficiary dies before receiving all benefits.
• Contract – Legally enforceable agreement.
• Decedent – A deceased person.
• Devise – To give real or Personal Property.
• Estate – Everything a person owns, real and personal property
• Executor, Executrix – (also known as a Personal Representative) – A person or institution named in the will to carry out the provisions and directions of the will.
• Intestate – A person who dies without making a valid will.
• Legatee – Person who receives personal property under a will.
• Levy – To collect by assessment.
• Lien – A charge upon property, real or personal, for the satisfaction of a debt.
• Personal property – Intangible property, such as stocks, bonds, or bank accounts; and tangible property such as furniture, automobile, jewelry.
• Probate – Official proof of the genuineness of a will.
• Real Property – Land and buildings.
• Surrogate – A judicial officer who is Judge of the Surrogate’s Court and deputy clerk to the Superior Court.
• Tenants in common – Two or more persons owning individual interests in property.
• Testator, Testatrix – The person who makes a will.
• Trust – A fiduciary arrangement that allows a third part, or trustee, to hold assets on behalf of a beneficiary or beneficiaries.
• Trustee – Person or institution that holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another.
• Waiver – A legal instrument relinquishing a right or lien.
• Will – A legal declaration of the manner in which a person wishes his estate divided after death.
• Witness – Person who observed the signing of a will and also attests to the signatures.

• Salem County Bar Association– Lawyer Referral Service – (856) 935-5629
• South Jersey Legal Services – Free Last Will & Testament and Power of Attorney for those that qualify. Primary Phone #:  800-496-4570  (Mon-Fri 9:00a – 1:00p) Secondary Phone #:  856-691-0494  (Mon-Fri 9:00a – 5:00p)

Note that the Salem County Surrogate’s Court cannot recommend legal representation for you.