From our “Ask a Question” Mailbag: Re-Opening an Estate in Atlantic County, NJ

Most Recently Updated July 7, 2018.

“How do I reopen a closed estate in Atlantic County? My brother served as executor of my father’s estate and in the will I was named as the successor executor. My brother has since died, and I have discovered more assets.”

Re-Opening an Estate in Atlantic County, NJ

Re-Opening an Estate in Atlantic County, NJ – What You Should Understand

First, understand that an estate is never “closed”. Estates run out of things to do and the file might be moved from the Atlantic County Surrogate’s Office long-term storage area, but once someone is named as executor, they continue to be the executor.

That being said, if the successor executor has discovered more assets that belong to the father, and, if the original executor were still alive, it would be a simple matter to get updated paperwork from the Atlantic County Surrogate to prove he is still the executor.

Does the Successor Executor need to do anything specific?

Because that original executor is dead, the successor executor will need to prove to the Surrogate that his brother has passed and he can then be sworn in as the executor. Once he has been given that job, the Surrogate’s office will provide him with the paperwork to prove status.

What is the executor responsible for?

Don’t take on the job as executor lightly. Once one is the executor, they will be responsible to file any updated tax returns required because of this new asset. It could be that a new New Jersey Estate Tax Return will be required, or that this asset has been collecting interest or dividends for all these years. The executor will have to file a new estate income tax return with both New Jersey and the IRS. If the new asset has little value, the filing fees and the cost of the tax returns might outweigh the asset’s value.

Also, the executor will be responsible for distributing the asset to the heirs, which includes the brother’s estate. Since the brother was alive at the time of their mother’s death, his estate is likely due a share of the new asset. If his estate was never opened, this new asset might require it.

Any Suggestions?

I suggest retaining an experienced Atlantic County Probate Attorney and spending a few dollars up front to help decide the best way to proceed. The successor executor may find that spending a few hundred dollars now saves him several thousand dollars later on.

More Probate Questions?

Re-Opening an Estate in Atlantic County, NJ, is only part of the overall probate process. By all means, if you wish to learn more, please read my more detailed article, The Probate Process All You Need to Know.

In Conclusion: Re-Opening an Estate in Atlantic County, NJ

I hope that this article was helpful in explaining the process for re-opening an estate. Further, I included links to even more detailed information on my website. Therefore, please contact me and let me know how I did. Certainly, your comments and questions are welcome!

Let our Probate Lawyers help walk you through what can be a confusing process. To begin with, call to speak to one of our experienced Probate Attorneys.  By all means, our lawyers are ready to answer your questions. In fact, feel free to contact our office for a free consultation. Ultimately our goal is to make the process as painless as possible!

Wills, Trusts, Probate, and Estate Litigation, It’s All We Do

Peter Klenk, Probate Lawyer