Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New Jersey

Re: refunding bond and release form

Traditionally, I do the same thing - send the form and wait to mail the check until the form is returned, properly completed, signed and notarized. This gives me the opportunity to be sure is has been completed properly, and does not need to be resent for corrections. The document is required to be filed with the Surrogate to complete the estate proceedings and the Executor is not discharged until documents from all beneficiaries of the estate have provided the necessary forms. The attorney is bound to mail the check when the properly completed document is returned to him, and, if he were not to send the check, he could be reported to the local ethics committee. I have found that in many instances, when a beneficiary receives the check in advance, they do not sign and rfeturn the forms or attend to any corrections.

Re: refunding bond and release form

As a practical matter, you won't get the money until you sign the form.