New Jersey Guardian Bond

New Jersey Guardian Bond

In New Jersey, when a person cannot care for themselves or their property, the surrogate’s court will appoint a "guardian" to make decisions on their behalf. The appointed individual, also known as a fiduciary, may be required to obtain a surety bond as outlined in Section 3B:15-1 of the New Jersey Statutes. The surety bond safeguards the protected person’s assets from any financial harm caused by the guardian's actions and is a prerequisite for obtaining their Letters of Guardianship.

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Have any questions? Give us a call at (855) 470-0877 and speak to a live New Jersey probate bond expert.

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What Size Bond Do You Need?

The court will set the required bond amount when they enter a judgment appointing you as guardian of the estate after your hearing. The judge will only require a bond if the fiduciary has control over the protected person’s property. If you have not filed an application for guardianship or had your court hearing yet, you must complete these steps before obtaining a bond.

New Jersey Statute 3B:15-1 dictates that guardians of the estate must furnish a bond equal to the value of the protected person’s property under the guardian’s control plus one year’s anticipated income. However, the court will have the final say in determining the bond amount in your case. The court may also increase or decrease the bond amount to reflect any change in the estate’s value.

How Much Does the New Jersey Guardian Bond Cost?

Jet charges a base price of $85 per year for the New Jersey Guardian Bond, with the specific cost varying depending on the bond amount. See the chart below to calculate the price for larger bonds. Guardians must pay for the bond with their funds, but they can ask the court for reimbursement from the estate when filing their annual accounting according to New Jersey Statute 3B:15-8.

To determine how much a fiduciary bond will cost, guardians can follow the steps listed below:

  1. Determine the Required Bond Amount

After ruling that guardianship is needed, the superior court will enter a written judgment naming the fiduciary and setting their required bond amount. Guardians must furnish their surety bond within 30 days of the hearing.

  1. Calculate the Total Cost

Guardian bonds up to $17,000 in size will cost as low as $85 per year. For each additional $1,000 increase, the bond premium will increase by the corresponding amount outlined in the table below. Apply online in minutes or call one of our probate bond experts at (855) 470-0877 to determine how much your bond will cost.

Bond AmountAdditional Premium (per $1,000)Bond Cost (1 year)
$0 - $17,000$85 flat rate$85
$17,001 - $50,000$5.00$85 - $250
$50,001 - $200,000$3.75$250 - $813
$200,001 - $500,000$2.50$813 - $1,563
$500,001 - $1,000,000$1.00$1,563 - $2,063
$1,000,000+$0.50$2,063+
New Jersey Guardianship Bond Cost Breakdown

We provide discounted tiered pricing that reduces the percentage rate for larger bond amounts. Applicants can also save money by purchasing bonds for multiple years in advance. Jet determines the price for minor guardianship bonds based on the years until the minor turns 18. Note that rates may vary based on the applicant’s credit and other underwriting factors.

What Are the Different Types of Guardianships in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, all guardianships will be over the person, the estate, or both person and estate, depending on what kind of care is needed. The court will decide the level of powers and responsibilities that each guardian will have. Below are descriptions of each type of guardianship, along with their corresponding bond requirements: 

Other Important Terms to Know

Why Is the New Jersey Guardianship Bond Required? Are There Surety Bond Exemptions?

When a guardian is appointed to manage a protected person’s assets, the surrogate’s court in New Jersey will require a surety bond according to Section 3B:15-1 of the New Jersey Statutes. The bond safeguards the interests and well-being of the person’s estate and serves as a form of insurance that guarantees the responsible and ethical behavior of the fiduciary.

By requiring a bond, the court can help mitigate loss from mismanagement or misuse of the estate assets by the fiduciary. When a bond is on file, the courts can better hold the guardian accountable and ensure they act in accordance with Title 3B of the New Jersey Statutes. The bond can also compensate the protected person for any losses incurred due to the guardian’s actions.

The court may waive or reduce the surety bond requirement in the following situations:

When Do I Need to Purchase the Guardian Bond?

Guardianship cases are filed in the Surrogate's Court and ruled upon in the Superior Court. Once the Superior Court names the guardian, they must qualify with the Surrogate's Court by filing a surety bond. 

Guardians will only be required to obtain a bond after they attend their court hearing and the superior court judge names them as the fiduciary. The guardian will have up to 30 days to qualify with their county surrogate after the superior court issues their written judgment, including filing their surety bond and completing paperwork with the county surrogate. 

Guardians must fully qualify with the county surrogate before they receive their letters of guardianship. For more information on the appointment process for your specific county, contact your county surrogate using the contact information at the end of this page.

How is the Guardian Chosen by the Surrogate’s Court?

When considering who to appoint as guardian, the court attempts to appoint the person who best serves the protected person's interests. Any interested party may petition the court to appoint a guardian over another individual. The order of appointment for guardians in New Jersey is as follows:

In all cases, the court will consider the preferred nominee made by the respondent and appoint the person who will serve in the respondent's best interests.

How To Apply for the New Jersey Guardian Bond with Jet

Jet’s application process is simple and fast - our goal is to get the fiduciary bonded as quickly as possible so they can focus on their obligations. All we need is the bond amount and basic information about the estate.

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Once completed and submitted, you will receive your purchase price immediately or a Jet underwriter will review the application. Some of the factors Jet considers when underwriting these types of bonds:

Call us at (855) 470-0877 for help getting started.

How Does the Bond Get Filed with the Surrogate’s Court?

After submitting payment, Jet will obtain your bond form from the surrogate court, attach our raised seal, and email and mail it to you. You simply need to sign the form and deliver it to the surrogate’s court overseeing your case.

Jet has provided a chart at the bottom of the page with a list of all surrogate’s court locations in the State of New Jersey and any available contact information for their offices. 

New Jersey Guardian Bond Filing

Can the New Jersey Guardian Bond Be Canceled?

At Jet, we like to make things easy for our customers, and cancellation of your bond is no exception.

To cancel your bond, send us an email at probate@jetsurety.com or give us a call. When we receive your request, we’ll contact the surrogate’s court to request a release. If the court accepts the request, we will cancel your bond and send you a refund for any unearned premium. We will refund any unearned premium charged after the first year of the bond on a prorated basis.

How Long Do You Need the Bond?

In New Jersey, the surrogate’s court requires that the bond remain on record throughout the fiduciary's entire appointment period, which spans until the guardianship is no longer needed or the minor turns 18 years old. Until that point, the court requires that the bond remains active.

To terminate a guardianship, New Jersey Statute 3B:12-63 states that the fiduciary must submit a final accounting to the court and distribute all property to the former protected person or their estate. The court must first approve the final accounting, and once approved, the court will send a notice of release to the guardian within the subsequent three months. The guardian must send Jet the release, and then we can cancel the bond.

As for renewing your bond, Jet sends a renewal invoice by email and mail before the bond term’s expiration date. As long as you make your renewal payment, the bond will remain active with the surrogate’s court. 

How Does a Fiduciary Avoid Surety Bond Claims in New Jersey?

The surrogate’s court expects the guardian to fulfill all duties and obligations under Title 3B of the New Jersey Statutes. Failing to meet these requirements or not adhering to all court orders can result in a bond claim. Some common violations that may lead to a bond claim include the following:

Here are some violations that may lead to bond claims on the New Jersey Guardian Bond:

Any person with proven damages caused by the actions of the guardian may file a claim against the bond, including the protected person, creditors to the estate, or the protected person's legal representation.

What Happens if I Get a New Jersey Guardian Bond Claim?

Jet works tirelessly to protect fiduciaries against faulty claims. Even if the court has requested a bond payout, we assess all documentation provided by the court and the guardian before paying out the claim. However, as a fiduciary and indemnitor, you will ultimately be required to reimburse Jet Insurance Company for any loss and expense.

Surrogate's Court Locations in New Jersey

Below is a list of all the surrogate courts located in the State of New Jersey, as well as their addresses and contact information.

County CourthousePhoneMailing AddressEmail
Atlantic County(609) 343-23415911 Main Street
Mays Landing NJ 08330
pio@atlantic-county.org
Bergen County(201) 336-6700Two Bergen County Plaza, Suite 5000
Hackensack, NJ 07601
bersurrprobate@co.bergen.nj.us
Burlington County(609) 265-500550 Rancocas Road, 1st Floor
Mt. Holly, NJ 08060
surrogates@co.burlington.nj.us
Camden County(856) 225-7282101 S 5th Street
Camden, NJ 08103
Adam.Rosen@camdencounty.com
Cape May County(609) 463-66669 N. Main Street
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
surrogate@co.cape-may.nj.us
Cumberland County(856) 453-480060 W. Broad Street, Suite A111
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
douglasra@CumberlandCountyNJ.gov
Essex County(973) 621-4901495 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd
Newark, NJ 07102
info@surrogate.essexcountynj.org
Gloucester County(856) 853-328217 N. Broad Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096
smckenna@co.gloucester.nj.us
Hudson County(201) 748-4400595 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306
webmaster.mbx@njcourts.gov
Hunterdon County(908) 788-115665 Park Avenue
Flemington, NJ 08822
commissioners@co.hunterdon.nj.us
Mercer County(609) 989-6331175 South Broad Street, Room 420
Trenton, NJ 08650
dgerofsky@mercercounty.org
Middlesex County(732) 745-305575 Bayard Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Monmouth County(732) 431-7330One East Main Street
Freehold, NJ 07728
Surrogate@co.monmouth.nj.us
Morris County (845) 431-177010 Court Street, 5th Floor
Morristown, NJ 07960
surrogate@co.morris.nj.us
Ocean County(732) 929-2011118 Washington Street
Toms River, NJ 08754
Passaic County(973) 881-476071 Hamilton Street, Room 101
Paterson, NJ 07505
surrogateinfo@passaiccountynj.org
Salem County(856) 935-7510174 East Broadway
Salem, NJ 08079
Surrogate@salemcountynj.gov
Somerset County(908) 231-700320 Grove Street, P.O. Box 3000
Somerville, NJ 08876
SurrogatesOffice@co.somerset.nj.us
Sussex County(973) 579-09203 High Street, Suite 1
Newton, NJ 07860
surrogate@sussex.nj.us
Union County(908) 527-42802 Broad Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
UCSurrogate@ucnj.org
Warren County(908) 475-6223323 Front Street, Suite #1
Belvidere, NJ 07823
mdoherty@co.warren.nj.us
New Jersey Surrogate's Court Locations and Contact Information

New Jersey Guardian Bond Form
New Jersey Guardianship Bond Form

Notary Bond Application:

Business Information:

Indemnity Agreement:

I, the undersigned, hereby apply for a Dishonesty Bond also known as a Business Service Bond or Janitorial Service Bond (“bond”) to the Surety Company (“SURETY”) through Jet Insurance Company (“JET”), with whom I hereby grant the authority to act on my behalf with respect to the bond and assign as my Broker of Record, and declare that the statements herein are true and correct. In consideration of the SURETY issuing, renewing or substituting said bond(s), I, individually and as the owner or officer of the bonded entity, hereby understand and agree, as follows: (i) to reimburse, hold harmless, and indemnify SURETY upon demand for all loss, liability, claim, expense, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, expert’s fees, investigative fees and claims handling fees, and any other cost which SURETY shall pay or incur in defense, adjustment, or settlement of such claims/suits by reason of such suretyship; (ii) that an itemized statement of loss and expenses by SURETY shall be indisputable proof of my liability to SURETY; (iii) coverage is subject to a $100 deductible; (iv) the employee must be convicted before coverage will apply (v) performance and any form of dispute resolution of this agreement shall take place in the county of SURETY's office of service; and (vi) a facsimile copy or electronically signed version of this agreement shall be binding as if it were an original. This agreement shall survive any changes in, substitute to or renewal of the bond(s).

Required Effect Date of Bond Policy:

Contact Information:

Employee Dishonesty Bond Application:

Business Information:

Business Description:

Coverage Requirements:

Indemnity Agreement:

I, the undersigned, hereby apply for a Dishonesty Bond also known as a Business Service Bond or Janitorial Service Bond (“bond”) to the Surety Company (“SURETY”) through Jet Insurance Company (“JET”), with whom I hereby grant the authority to act on my behalf with respect to the bond and assign as my Broker of Record, and declare that the statements herein are true and correct. In consideration of the SURETY issuing, renewing or substituting said bond(s), I, individually and as the owner or officer of the bonded entity, hereby understand and agree, as follows: (i) to reimburse, hold harmless, and indemnify SURETY upon demand for all loss, liability, claim, expense, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, expert’s fees, investigative fees and claims handling fees, and any other cost which SURETY shall pay or incur in defense, adjustment, or settlement of such claims/suits by reason of such suretyship; (ii) that an itemized statement of loss and expenses by SURETY shall be indisputable proof of my liability to SURETY; (iii) coverage is subject to a $100 deductible; (iv) the employee must be convicted before coverage will apply (v) performance and any form of dispute resolution of this agreement shall take place in the county of SURETY's office of service; and (vi) a facsimile copy or electronically signed version of this agreement shall be binding as if it were an original. This agreement shall survive any changes in, substitute to or renewal of the bond(s).

Required Effect Date of Bond Policy:

Contact Information:

Contract Bond Application:

Business Information:

Owner Information:

Job Details:

Indemnity Agreement:

I, the undersigned, hereby apply for a Dishonesty Bond also known as a Business Service Bond or Janitorial Service Bond (“bond”) to the Surety Company (“SURETY”) through Jet Insurance Company (“JET”), with whom I hereby grant the authority to act on my behalf with respect to the bond and assign as my Broker of Record, and declare that the statements herein are true and correct. In consideration of the SURETY issuing, renewing or substituting said bond(s), I, individually and as the owner or officer of the bonded entity, hereby understand and agree, as follows: (i) to reimburse, hold harmless, and indemnify SURETY upon demand for all loss, liability, claim, expense, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, expert’s fees, investigative fees and claims handling fees, and any other cost which SURETY shall pay or incur in defense, adjustment, or settlement of such claims/suits by reason of such suretyship; (ii) that an itemized statement of loss and expenses by SURETY shall be indisputable proof of my liability to SURETY; (iii) coverage is subject to a $100 deductible; (iv) the employee must be convicted before coverage will apply (v) performance and any form of dispute resolution of this agreement shall take place in the county of SURETY's office of service; and (vi) a facsimile copy or electronically signed version of this agreement shall be binding as if it were an original. This agreement shall survive any changes in, substitute to or renewal of the bond(s).

Required Effect Date of Bond Policy:

Contact Information:

Worker's Compensation Application:

Business Information:

Business Description:

Coverage Requirements

Indemnity Agreement:

I, the undersigned, hereby apply for a Dishonesty Bond also known as a Business Service Bond or Janitorial Service Bond (“bond”) to the Surety Company (“SURETY”) through Jet Insurance Company (“JET”), with whom I hereby grant the authority to act on my behalf with respect to the bond and assign as my Broker of Record, and declare that the statements herein are true and correct. In consideration of the SURETY issuing, renewing or substituting said bond(s), I, individually and as the owner or officer of the bonded entity, hereby understand and agree, as follows: (i) to reimburse, hold harmless, and indemnify SURETY upon demand for all loss, liability, claim, expense, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, expert’s fees, investigative fees and claims handling fees, and any other cost which SURETY shall pay or incur in defense, adjustment, or settlement of such claims/suits by reason of such suretyship; (ii) that an itemized statement of loss and expenses by SURETY shall be indisputable proof of my liability to SURETY; (iii) coverage is subject to a $100 deductible; (iv) the employee must be convicted before coverage will apply (v) performance and any form of dispute resolution of this agreement shall take place in the county of SURETY's office of service; and (vi) a facsimile copy or electronically signed version of this agreement shall be binding as if it were an original. This agreement shall survive any changes in, substitute to or renewal of the bond(s).

Required Effect Date of Bond Policy:

Contact Information: