If a loved one passes away in New Jersey and leaves personal property, such as bank accounts and trusts, valuing less than $20,000, then successors may file an affidavit of heirship to claim that property. This includes not only finances like bank accounts, retirement accounts, and final paychecks, but vehicles like cars or boats. Per New Jersey statute R.S. 46:14-7 and R.S. 46:14-8, a surviving spouse may file for up to $50,000 in property, but other heirs are limited to $20,000 or the estate will go to probate court.
How to Write
Step 1 – Download in Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word (.doc).
Step 2 – Fill-in the following blanks respectively:
- Identify all heirs of the estate
- Your legal name and address
- List your relationship with the decedent
- Timeline of relationship
- Name of any/all spouses including date(s) or marriage, divorce, and death (if any)
- Name of any/all children including date(s) or marriage, divorce, and death (if any)
- Name of any/all grandchildren including date(s) or marriage, divorce, and death (if any)
- Name of any/all parents including date(s) or marriage, divorce, and death (if any)
- Name of any/all brothers & sisters including date(s) or marriage, divorce, and death (if any)
- Name of any/all nieces & nephews including date(s) or marriage, divorce, and death (if any)
Step 3 – Bring a certified copy of the death certificate and sign the document before a notary public.
