Q: Can Letters of Administration for a $5M estate in NJ be issued without an attorney?
I am inquiring about the process of obtaining Letters of Administration for an estate in New Jersey, valued at over $5 million. The heirs, three siblings, agree to appoint one of them as the Administrator. Can this be done pro se, or is it necessary to have an attorney represent us?
A: An administrator is appointed by the probate court / surrogates office based on who is the Executor of the Will. You don't pick one. If no will exists and you have 5 million dollar estate you have a gigantic problem. Either way you should have a lawyer.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
In New Jersey, it is possible to apply for Letters of Administration without an attorney, but it can be more complicated for large estates, such as one valued at $5 million. While you and your siblings can agree to appoint one of you as the Administrator, the probate process for such a sizable estate may involve more legal steps, paperwork, and potential complexities that could make navigating it without legal help challenging.
The court will require detailed documentation, including the decedent’s will (if applicable), proof of heirship, and a comprehensive inventory of the estate’s assets. For estates of this size, the process may involve additional steps, such as tax considerations and creditor claims, which could be overwhelming to handle without legal knowledge.
If you choose to proceed pro se, be prepared to thoroughly research the process and ensure all requirements are met. However, you might want to consult an attorney for guidance to avoid mistakes that could delay the administration of the estate or cause legal issues down the line.
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
