Administration of Small Estates In many instances, a small estate in New Jersey can be administered just with an affidavit, instead of a full probate If there is no will, the spouse of the deceased person can sign an affidavit with the court surrogate where the spouse resides affirming that the value of the estate is below $50,000. The surrogate will issue a certificate appointing the spouse the administrator of the small estate.
A surviving heir that is not the spouse can become the administrator of a small estate valued at $20,000 or less. However, the surviving heir would still have to file an inventory of assets, get waivers from other heirs allowing them to become the administrator, and then be appointed by the surrogate to administer the small estate.