Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New Jersey

Re: lost will

If she in fact drafted a will with the help of an attorney and you have name and city he shounldn't be that hard to find. Most likely he has a listed phone number or you can contact the New Jersey State Bar to locate him.

I would need more information to be sure, it is possible that your Aunt's writing was not treated as a will because it's possible it wasn't a valid will. A handwritten document of testamentary wishes is not enough. If your Aunt's will was not properly witnessed it would, with limited exceptions, be invalid. Even if she had told her sister or others of the will, there could be no way to probate the will if there were no witnesses to testify as to your Aunt's state of mind at the time she meant to execute it.

If there was an administrative proceeding you can find out what occurred by going to the civil court in the County where your aunt died. You can access the file there.

Should you like to discuss this or any other legal matter, you can call my office to schedule an appointment for a consultation or in the alternative, I can be reached for on-phone low-cost legal consultation at 1-800-275-5336 x0233699.