Union Township Estate Records
Union Township probate court records are filed at the Union County Surrogate's Office. The surrogate has two locations, one in Elizabeth and one in Westfield. The Westfield office may be more convenient for Union Township residents. Appointments are required at both sites. Union County holds probate court records from 1857 to the present. Searching for records tied to Union Township starts at the surrogate's office. This guide explains how to find, file, and obtain probate court records in Union Township.
Union Township Quick Facts
Union Township Probate Records Office
The Union County Surrogate's Office handles all probate court records for Union Township. Christopher Hudak, Esq. serves as Surrogate. The office has two locations. The main office is in Elizabeth, and a second office sits in Westfield. Union Township is close to both. The Westfield location may be easier to reach for many township residents.
| Office | Union County Surrogate's Office |
|---|---|
| Surrogate | Christopher Hudak, Esq. |
| Elizabeth Office | 2 Broad St, Old Annex, 2nd Fl Elizabeth, NJ 07207 |
| Westfield Office | 300 North Ave East Westfield, NJ 07090 |
| Phone | (908) 527-4280 |
| Website | ucnj.org/surrogate |
The Union Township website provides local government services and department contacts. The township does not handle probate court records. All estate matters for Union Township go through the county surrogate at one of the two offices listed above.
Note: Appointments are required at both surrogate locations. Call (908) 527-4280 to schedule your visit.
Search Union Township Probate Court Records
To search for Union Township probate court records, contact the surrogate by phone or visit one of the two offices. Bring the full name of the deceased. A date of death helps narrow the search. Staff will look through the index and pull the file for you. You can review the record at the office and request copies.
The Union County Surrogate FAQ page answers common questions about searching probate court records. It covers what to bring, what types of records are on file, and how to get certified copies. Review this page before your visit to save time at the office.
Union County probate court records start in 1857. That is when Union County was created from Essex County. Any Union Township estate filed before 1857 would be in the Essex County records instead. This matters for genealogy work and older property claims. If you need a record from before that date, check with the Essex County Surrogate.
Union Township Records and Resources
The Union Township official website offers details on local departments and services for township residents.
The township site does not store probate court records. It can help with tax records, permits, and zoning matters. For all will and estate filings in Union Township, you need the Union County Surrogate.
Union Township has a long history in central New Jersey. The area was part of Essex County until 1857. Families who lived here during that period left estate records in the Essex County files. Once Union County was formed, all new probate court records were filed with the new county surrogate. This split means that a full search of Union Township probate court records may require checking two counties.
Filing Probate Court Records in Union Township
State law under N.J.S.A. 3B:3-22 sets a ten-day wait after death before probate can begin. After that period, the person who holds the will brings it to one of the surrogate's offices. The original will is required. Bring a certified death certificate with a raised seal and a list of all heirs with addresses.
The surrogate admits the will to probate under N.J.S.A. 3B:3-19. This step creates the official probate court record for the Union Township estate. Letters Testamentary are then issued to the executor. These letters grant legal power to manage the estate, access bank accounts, and handle property transfers. All filings become part of the permanent probate court records in Union County.
When a Union Township resident dies without a will, a family member applies for Letters of Administration under N.J.S.A. 3B:10-1. The applicant brings the death certificate, renunciations from other heirs, and a list of assets. The surrogate grants the letters and creates new probate court records for the Union Township decedent.
Union Township Probate and State Archives
The New Jersey State Archives holds older Union County probate court records on microfilm. These include will books, inventories, and administration bonds from 1857 onward. The archives sit in Trenton and are open to the public.
Use the archives to research older Union Township probate court records that may not be at the surrogate's office. Staff can guide you to the right microfilm reels for Union County holdings. Genealogists and attorneys both use these collections.
Records from before 1857 are in the Essex County collection at the archives. This is because Union Township was part of Essex County at that time. A thorough search of Union Township probate court records may require checking both sets of files.
Small Estate Probate in Union Township
Not every estate in Union Township needs full probate. Under N.J.S.A. 3B:10-3 and 3B:10-4, small estates may qualify for a simpler process. A small estate affidavit replaces the standard probate steps when the total value of the estate falls below the state limit. This path costs less and takes less time. It still creates probate court records in Union County.
The surrogate's staff can tell you if a Union Township estate qualifies. Bring the death certificate and a list of assets to your appointment. Many families choose this route when the estate is modest and heirs agree on how to split things.
Types of Union Township Probate Records
The surrogate's office keeps many types of probate court records for Union Township. Wills show how a person wanted assets split. Letters Testamentary grant an executor the right to act. Letters of Administration fill the same role when there is no will. Guardianship orders protect minors. Estate accountings track how money was handled. Will contest files record disputes. All of these form part of the Union Township probate court records collection in Union County.
- Wills and codicils
- Letters Testamentary and Letters of Administration
- Guardianship filings for minors
- Estate inventories and accountings
- Will contest documents
Each document in a probate file is a public record. Anyone can visit the surrogate's office to view these files. Certified copies carry a raised seal and are accepted by banks and courts across the state.
Court Resources for Union Township
The New Jersey Courts website has forms, guides, and contact details for courts across the state. Union Township residents can find probate forms and filing instructions on this site. If a will contest or trust dispute goes to the Superior Court, the site covers the steps and rules that apply.
The Union County Surrogate's website also has a helpful FAQ section. It answers questions about fees, documents needed, and the probate timeline. Check it before your visit to make sure you bring everything needed for your Union Township probate court records filing.
Union County Probate Court Records
Union Township is in Union County. All probate filings for the township go through the Union County Surrogate's Office. The county page has more detail on both office locations, hours, fees, and state archive holdings. Visit the county page for a full guide to probate court records in Union County.