Trenton, New Jersey guide

Trenton is in Mercer County. The Mercer County Surrogate is the official starting point for routine estate paperwork. Do not assume that a beneficiary living elsewhere must use their own county's surrogate instead of the county connected to the decedent.

Trenton's local starting point is the Mercer County Surrogate. Establish whether the request is uncontested probate, administration without a will, or a limited affidavit procedure before selecting the form. A tax waiver may be requested by an asset holder even though the court has already supplied letters. That waiver is a New Jersey tax question, not something the Surrogate's appointment alone answers. A contested matter requires legal review of the proper judicial route.

New Jersey does not currently impose a state estate tax for 2026 deaths and has an inheritance tax.

New Jersey eliminated estate tax for deaths on or after January 1, 2018, but retains inheritance tax. Beneficiary class and waiver requirements therefore still deserve separate review.

The New Jersey guide covers the broader estate process. The local court does not provide a retirement or investment plan. An attorney addresses legal authority, a CPA addresses filings, and an advisor addresses financial planning. SBC has no local office in Trenton.