State guide
New Jersey
In New Jersey, the old 'rule to bar creditors' publication requirement was removed from Title 3B, so estate creditors are not handled through a newspaper notice deadline keyed to first publication. Uncontested probate is handled through the county Surrogate, and New Jersey also has affidavit procedures for certain small intestate estates.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Publishing the notice
- No statewide probate notice to creditors publication is required; New Jersey removed the public-notice-to-creditors rule, and current legal notices generally use official websites/eligible online publications rather than a creditor newspaper notice chosen by the estate.
- Creditor claim deadline
- No first-publication rule found; 9 months after death under N.J.S.A. 3B:22-4.
- Outside deadline
- 9 months after death
- Law
- N.J.S.A. 3B:22-4; N.J.S.A. 3B:10-3; N.J.S.A. 3B:10-4
- Small-estate limit
- $50,000 for surviving spouse/civil union partner/domestic partner affidavit; $20,000 for heir affidavit if none survives
Official resources in New Jersey
NJ Courts Self-Help
General Judiciary self-help portal for forms, guidance, and court information.
Statewide Legal Notices Listings
Official Department of State page explaining New Jersey’s current public legal-notice posting system.
Key facts for New Jersey
- Creditors present claims within 9 months after the decedent's death under N.J.S.A. 3B:22-4.
- New Jersey repealed the public notice to creditors requirement from Title 3B.
- A surviving spouse, civil union partner, or domestic partner may use an affidavit if the intestate estate does not exceed $50,000.
- If there is no surviving spouse, civil union partner, or domestic partner, an heir may use an affidavit if the intestate estate does not exceed $20,000.
- NJ Courts says the county Surrogate handles uncontested probate and estate matters.
What to do next
- Start with the county Surrogate listed in the Judiciary directory because uncontested probate is county-based in New Jersey.
- Check both small-estate affidavit statutes before opening a full intestate estate.
- If you are relying on creditor protection, calendar the 9-month period from the date of death, not from publication.
Helpful guides
- What is a notice to creditors in probate?
- How to publish a probate notice in a newspaper
- How much does it cost to publish a probate notice?
- What counts as a legal newspaper for probate notices
Creditor deadline calculator →
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