N.J. Stat. tit. 17, ch. 16R

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 17:16R-1 Substitution of fiduciaries

1. A qualified fiduciary (herein "successor fiduciary") may be substituted in the place and stead of another qualified fiduciary (herein "original fiduciary") which is desirous of being discharged from acting further as fiduciary for one or more fiduciary accounts, provided that the successor fiduciary obtains the approval of the Superior Court pursuant to the terms of this act. L.1995,c.351,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 17:16R-2 Application to become successor fiduciary

2. a. The qualified fiduciary desiring to become the successor fiduciary shall make application to the Superior Court, which application may be made ex parte. The application shall contain information sufficient for the court to apply the standards set forth in subsection b. of this section and shall include a certification by the original fiduciary that it understands and agrees that it shall be bound as a party to any order entered by the court in the proceeding on the application. b. Upon such application, the Superior Court, except for good cause shown, shall grant the application for substitution if it finds either: (1) that the fiduciary accounts subject to the substitution constitute all, or substantially all, of a fiduciary category, or categories, and the successor fiduciary has adequate facilities, personnel and locations to provide fiduciary services to those persons with an interest in the fiduciary accounts; or (2) that the primary bank regulator for each fiduciary has approved the transfer as being in the best interest of the fiduciary which the regulator regulates, and that the transfer will not be a disadvantage to the interest of the public. L.1995,c.351,s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 17:16R-3 Appointment of successor fiduciary

3. a. If the Superior Court approves the application, it shall make an order appointing the applicant qualified fiduciary as successor fiduciary in respect to the fiduciary capacities and relationships set forth in the application, with the same powers and duties in respect to the fiduciary capacities and relationships as those possessed by the original fiduciary. After the order of substitution has been entered, every instrument executed or otherwise effected before or after the entry, which purports to appoint the original fiduciary to any fiduciary capacity or relationship for which a successor fiduciary has been appointed pursuant to this section, shall be deemed to constitute an appointment of the successor fiduciary. The original fiduciary, which has been succeeded by a successor fiduciary as provided in this section, may present an accounting, in which the successor fiduciary may join, of its administration of the fiduciary capacities or relationships to which the successor fiduciary has been appointed. b. Written notice of the substitution shall be given to those persons or entities to whom the original fiduciary would have in due course provided periodic account statements at the address shown on the current account records. The notice may be included with the periodic account statements and in any event shall be mailed within 60 days of the date of the order approving the substitution. The notice shall include the name and telephone number of a person or persons representing the substitute fiduciary to whom questions regarding the substitution may be directed. L.1995,c.351,s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 17:16R-4 Definitions relative to qualified fiduciaries.

4. For the purpose of this act: a. "Qualified fiduciary" means a bank or savings bank authorized to exercise fiduciary powers pursuant to section 28 of P.L.1948, c.67 (C.17:9A-28), a federally chartered bank authorized to exercise fiduciary powers pursuant to section 1 of Pub.L.87-722 (12 U.S.C. 92a), a savings and loan association authorized to exercise fiduciary powers pursuant to section 48 of P.L.1963, c.144 (C.17:12B-48) or a federally chartered association authorized to exercise fiduciary powers pursuant to subsection (n) of 12 U.S.C. 1464. b. "Fiduciary category" means one of the following three types of fiduciary accounts or relationships: (1) A guardian, executor, administrator with the will annexed, substituted administrator, administrator, trustee, substituted trustee, or non testamentary trustee, all as referred to in N.J.S.3B:18-8, 3B:18-12 and 3B:18-23; a conservator appointed pursuant to P.L.1983, c.192 (C.3B:13A-1 et seq.); and a custodian if a gift to a minor pursuant to P.L.1963, c.177 (C.46:38-13 et seq.). (2) Trustee of a qualified retirement plan maintained pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 401(k); trustee or custodian under an individual retirement account or annuity created pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 408(a) and (b); or as custodian under an annuity plan maintained pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 403(a) or (b). (3) All other fiduciary relationships and capacities not included in the preceding paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection. c. "Substantially all" of any category shall mean all accounts in that category except: (1) those in which substitution pursuant to this act is specifically prohibited by the document or documents creating the fiduciary relationship, or (2) those accounts for which there is a unique relationship or are special circumstances which distinguish the account from others in the same category or which make it impractical to effect the substitution. L.1995,c.351,s.4.

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