State guide
New Jersey
New Jersey adult guardianship cases are processed through the county Surrogate’s Office and the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Probate Part. The court uses "guardian" terminology for the person, the estate, or both, and New Jersey’s materials emphasize limited guardianship and ongoing reporting through the Surrogate.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Court that handles adult guardianship
- Adult guardianship petitions are filed with the county Surrogate’s Office and heard in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Probate Part.
- What it's called
- guardian of the person and guardian of the estate/property
- Official forms and self-help
- Official page →
- Filing fee
- Not published by an official source we could verify. Ask the office.
- Less-restrictive alternatives
- I did not find an official statewide supported decision-making statute on the New Jersey pages reviewed; New Jersey law and court materials recognize limited guardianship and consideration of prior surrogate decision-makers such as a durable power of attorney, health care proxy, or advance directive.
- Law
- N.J. Ct. R. 4:86; N.J.S.A. 3B:12-24.1; N.J.S.A. 3B:12-25
Official resources in New Jersey
Statewide self-help entry point for adult guardianship forms and instructions.
Explains where to file, required physician affidavits, appointment of counsel, and the hearing process.
Official court rule governing actions for guardianship of an incapacitated person.
County page with local filing guidance, checklists, and Surrogate contact information.
Key facts for New Jersey
- A verified complaint for an incapacitated adult is filed with the Surrogate’s Court in the county where the alleged incapacitated person resides.
- A Superior Court, Probate Part judge declares incapacity and appoints a guardian for well-being and/or financial affairs.
- NJ uses guardian of the person, guardian of the estate, or guardian of both person and estate.
- Court Rule 4:86 requires the Surrogate to review the complaint before docketing.
- The guardian of the person packet says completed forms are submitted to the county Surrogate’s Office.
- Monmouth County publishes a $200 complaint fee for guardianship of an alleged incapacitated person.
County court guardianship pages in New Jersey
| Court | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex County Surrogate Court Middlesex | New Brunswick | Not published* | Handles guardianship of incapacitated person filings and publishes local guidance, forms, and appointments. |
| Bergen County Surrogate’s Court Bergen | Hackensack | Not published* | County Surrogate’s Court office listed in the official county directory. |
| Office of the Surrogate Middlesex | New Brunswick | Not published* | Main county office page with hours, location, and links to incapacitated guardianship materials. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Ask the county Surrogate’s Office for its local checklist before filing, because NJ counties may have county-specific processing steps.
- Collect the two recent physician certifications before filing the verified complaint.
- If only some decision-making help is needed, ask about limited guardianship and whether existing powers of attorney or advance directives already cover the need.
Not seeing your court or county?
Not every court publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from New Jersey's population center, for comparison only):
- Kings County Supreme Court Guardian Assistance Office, New York · about 29 miles
- Kings County Supreme Court Elder Law - Guardianship Office, New York · about 29 miles
- New York County Supreme Court Guardianship and Fiduciary Support Office, New York · about 31 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.NJ Courts Self-Help: Guardianship of Incapacitated Adults
Website →Phone not shown: use the contact page on the official website above.Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the New Jersey page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.