N.J. Stat. tit. 3B, ch. 16

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 3B:16-1 General requisites

An inventory shall not be received nor admitted to be proved which is not full and specific in its details. L.1981, c. 405, s. 3B:16-1, eff. May 1, 1982.

N.J. Stat. § 3B:16-2 Inventory and appraisal to be made and filed

A personal representative may or, if required by the court or if the exemption for the benefit of the family of the decedent is to be set off as allowed by N.J.S. 3B:16-5, shall make and file a true and perfect inventory of the real and personal property of his decedent, which has come to his hands, possession or knowledge or into the hands of any other person for him, and cause a just appraisal thereof to be made by two discreet and impartial persons. The court shall not require an inventory and appraisal to be filed until 3 months after the grant of letters, except that if an exemption is to be set off, the inventory and appraisal shall be made within the 3 months. L.1981, c. 405, s. 3B:16-2, eff. May 1, 1982.

N.J. Stat. § 3B:16-3 Appointment of appraisers

If an inventory and appraisal is to be filed, the appraisers shall be chosen by the personal representative subject to the approval of the Superior Court or surrogate, except in cases where it shall be necessary to set off the exemption for the benefit of the family of the decedent as allowed by N.J.S. 3B:16-5, in which event the personal representative shall apply to the surrogate of the county wherein the decedent resided at his death, or to the Superior Court, as the case may be, for the appointment of two persons as appraisers who are neither interested in the estate nor related to the decedent's widow or child. The appraisers shall, before entering upon the duties of their appointment, be severally sworn before the surrogate, or a person authorized to administer oaths, to faithfully, honestly and impartially appraise the property according to its true and intrinsic value without reference to what the property might bring at a public sale. L.1981, c. 405, s. 3B:16-3, eff. May 1, 1982.

N.J. Stat. § 3B:16-4 Property to be included in inventory and appraisal

The appraisers shall make an inventory and appraisement of all the real and personal property of which the decedent died seized and possessed. L.1981, c. 405, s. 3B:16-4, eff. May 1, 1982.

N.J. Stat. § 3B:16-5 Exemption for benefit of decedent's family

The wearing apparel of any person who shall die leaving a family residing in this State, and his personal property to the value of $5,000.00, shall be reserved to and for the use of his family against all creditors, and before any distribution or other disposition thereof. This section and N.J.S. 3B:16-3 and N.J.S. 3B:16-7 of this title shall not be permitted to conflict with the will of the decedent. Every person residing in this State at the time of his death and leaving surviving him a widow or child who shall reside in his family at his death, shall be deemed to have left a family entitled to the benefits of this section. L.1981, c. 405, s. 3B:16-5, eff. May 1, 1982.

N.J. Stat. § 3B:16-6 Proof of inventory and exempt list

The inventory of a personal representative which is to be filed, shall be proved by his oath that it is just and true, and by the oath of the appraisers, or one of them, that the real and personal property specified in the inventory was appraised at its just and true values according to their or his best judgment. If only one of the appraisers be sworn it shall be added that the other appraiser was present at the same time and consented to the valuation and appraisal. The oaths shall be taken before any person qualified to administer oaths in this State and shall be indorsed on the inventory filed with the surrogate or clerk of the Superior Court, as the case may be. If personal property of the decedent shall have been set off for the benefit of the family, the executor or administrator shall also verify by his oath the list of property selected and file the list with the inventory. L.1981, c. 405, s. 3B:16-6, eff. May 1, 1982.

N.J. Stat. § 3B:16-7 Selection of property to be exempted

From the completed inventory, the widow of the decedent, or his personal representative may select personal property to the value of $5,000.00 and a list of the property selected shall be annexed to the inventory. Personal property so selected shall thereupon become the property of the family and remain for their use. L.1981, c. 405, s. 3B:16-7, eff. May 1, 1982.

N.J. Stat. § 3B:16-8 Guardian to file inventory of estate of minor or person who is incapacitated.

3B:16-8. Every guardian of the estate of a minor or a person who is incapacitated may, and if required by the court shall, file with the surrogate of the proper county or the clerk of the Superior Court an inventory, under oath, of all the real and personal property which is in the control, possession, or knowledge of the guardian or any other person on the guardian's behalf. The court shall not require an inventory and appraisal to be filed until three months have elapsed after the grant of letters. amended 2013, c.103, s.49.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026