Resources
Estate Identification Number (EIN)
PLEASE NOTE: The estate identification number is required to open an estate account. The number is provided free through the federal government.
- If you find yourself on a site that charges a fee, you are not on the government site and should exit immediately.
- Download (pdf) : SS-4 Form
- IRS Website (Not a direct link for the SS-4 Form, but may be useful for other IRS forms) IRS Telephone Number: 1-800-829-4933
Frequently Requested Phone Numbers
- Internal Revenue Service PHONE: 1-(800) 829-4933 WEB: http://www.irs.gov To obtain an estate identification number (EIN)
- Salem County Bar Association PHONE: (856) 935-5629 EMAIL: WEB: www.salemcountybar.org Lawyer Referral Service – to assist members of the community to get in contact with lawyers who practice in a particular area of the law.
- Salem County Clerk’s Office PHONE: (856) 935-7510 ext. 8206 WEB: http://www.salemcountynj.gov To obtain copies of deeds & mortgages recorded in Salem County.
- 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: http://www.surrogate.salemcountynj.gov
- Salem County Veteran’s Services PHONE: (856) 339-8603 WEB: https://veterans.salemcountynj.gov/ PHONE: 1-(800) 827-1000 – US Dept. of Veterans Affairs
- Social Security Administration (NJ) PHONE: 1-(800) 772-1213 PHONE: 1-(800) 325-0778 WEB: http://www.ssa.gov
- South Jersey Legal Services, Inc. PHONE: 1-(800) 496-4570 PHONE: 1-(800) 691-0494
- State of New Jersey Department of Health Division on Aging PHONE: 1-(800) 792-9745 Senior Benefits: WEB: http://www.state.nj.us/health/seniorbenefits/services.shtml Aging and Community Services: WEB: 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: 1-(609) 292-5033 PHONE: 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: 1-(609) 292-4087 ext. 582 TOLL FREE: 1-(866) 649-8726 WEB: http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/
Glossary of Terms
Glossary of Terms 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.
Helpful Links
- Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey – https://coanj.com
- Kelley Blue Book – https://www.kbb.com
- New Jersey Inheritance and Estate Tax Forms – https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/taxprnt.shtml
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission – https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Vehicle/TransferringVehicle.htm
- New Jersey State Bar Association – Lawyer Referral Service – www.njsba.com/for-the-public/lawyer-referral-service.html
- New Jersey Vital Statistics – https://www.nj.gov/health/vital/index.shtml
- New Jersey Will Registry – https://www.state.nj.us/state/dos_will_registry.html
- Salem County Bar Association – Lawyer Referral Service – www.salemcountybar.org
- Salem County Board of Elections – https://elections.salemcountynj.gov
- Salem County Clerk – https://salemcountyclerk.org
- Salem County Health & Human Services – https://health.salemcountynj.gov
- Salem County Prosecutor – https://www.salemcountyprosecutor.org
- Salem County Tax Office – https://salemcountytax.com
- Salem County Veterans Services – https://veterans.salemcountynj.gov
- Social Security – https://www.socialsecurity.gov
- State of New Jersey, Department of Health – https://NJ.gov/health
- Veterans Affairs – https://www.va.gov/
Will Preparation
- Salem County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service – (856) 935-5629
- South Jersey Legal Services, Inc. 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.
2020 County Holiday Closure Schedule
Below are the 2020 National Holidays that all County offices will be closed on:
- January 1– Wednesday – New Year’s Day 2020
- January 20– Monday – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- February 17– Monday – Presidents’ Day/ Washington’s Birthday
- April 10– Friday – Good Friday
- May 25– Monday – Memorial Day
- July 3– Friday – Independence Day
- September 7– Monday – Labor Day
- October 12– Monday – Columbus Day
- November 3– Tuesday – Election Day
- November 11– Wednesday – Veterans’ Day
- November 26– Thursday – Thanksgiving
- November 27– Friday – Thanksgiving Friday
- December 25– Friday – Christmas
- January 1, 2021– Friday – New Year’s Day 2021
