Since taking office, Surrogate Michael Dressler has routinely visited community centers, local businesses and organizations throughout the year to promote education and understanding of serious issues such as the importance of wills, probate procedures, administration of estates, estate tax consequences, powers of attorney, medical directives and guardianships. In doing so, the Surrogate has come in direct contact with over 80,000 Bergen County residents.

“As your Surrogate, I wish to help you to plan for the legacy that you will work a lifetime to achieve and to safeguard that legacy for future generations” advocates Judge Michael Dressler. “As such, I propose a brief presentation to review these documents and the services of the Surrogate’s Court followed by a question and answer period.”

During the presentation, the Surrogate defines probate as the authentication of a Last Will & Testament, outlines the importance of having a Last Will & Testament, and stresses the importance of seeking legal counsel and potential tax consequences for those who die intestate (without a Last Will & Testament). During the presentation, the Surrogate will express that sitting down with an attorney and drawing up a plan to protect one’s legacy, the money and property that one has worked a lifetime to achieve, is something we must all consider.

“What may work for one person may not work for the person sitting next to them,” said Judge Dressler. “There are no ‘cookie-cutter answers’ to estate planning; it is important to sit down with an attorney who understands what you are trying to do and who is going to give you feedback.”

During his presentation, Surrogate Dressler also comments on and answers questions related to the guardianship of minor children, adoptions, advance directives, living wills and estate taxes, as well as highlight historical information that includes but is often not limited to the following facts: the Surrogate's function, along with the County Clerk and the Sheriff, dates back to colonial times.

As a means of bringing government to the people, in 1999, Michael R. Dressler initiated Bergen County's first Satellite Surrogate's Office program which is operated without additional taxpayer cost, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. The goal of the program is to make the services of the Surrogate's Office as accessible to the people of Bergen County as possible.

You must NOT show up at one of our Satellite Offices without an appointment. There will not be a member of our staff there to help you if you do not have an appointment, and that is absolutely not what we want. That is not what any of our colleagues who have graciously granted us permission to utilize these spaces want either. We want to make your lives and the lives of those in need easier in every way possible. Please remember that these are complex legal matters and there are often instructions that you will need to follow in order to prepare for your meeting; information or identification that you will be required to bring with you.

Please also note that as per our Notice to the Bar dated 7/20/21, we have and will continue our policy of probating estates and filing court documents remotely as we established in April 2020. This is an alternative to making the trip to the burden of having to travel. We are happy to answer any questions that you may have about this program at any time.