Tina’s Platform

The Surrogate’s court is almost certain to touch the lives of every person in the County at some  time. I believe that through empathy and compassionate communication I can make their  experience with the Surrogate’s court as effortless as possible.

Accessibility:

● Revamp our digital strategies to ensure forms and procedures are streamlined and  available. 

● Hold special office hours in the evenings regularly and establish satellite locations  throughout the county.

Education:

• Increase the number of lectures on estate planning and power of attorney and post them online and on social media
• Offer virtual sessions with key constituencies such as senior citizens and essential workers

Customer Service:

• Ensure each case is processed in a timely manner 
• Approach everyone who comes to the Surrogate’s court with kindness and compassion

As Surrogate of Somerset County, I will put my experience as Director of Training and  Development and as a lawyer to use creating and giving seminars on the need of Estate  planning. I won’t just sit in my office and wait for the public to come to us, I will meet people in  the community –in senior groups, retirement homes, community centers, religious organizations  and other places – to educate the public on the need and advantages of estate planning in case  they become incapacitated, and when eventually they pass from this Earth.  

Currently, the Surrogate’s office is open from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm, M-F, which is inconvenient  for many working people. I would like to open the Surrogate’s office two evenings a month, on  the nights that the freeholders hold their meetings so there would be no additional expenses  incurred. I will be an active partner in ensuring everyone in the community has access to the  Surrogate’s office at the most difficult times in their lives. Which is why I also want to open up  satellite Surrogate offices in the community at times which are convenient for the working  person. 

I will work with the large banks to make sure the Administration documents we give the citizens  of Somerset County are acceptable, so that our clients are not further traumatized when trying  to settle their loved ones estate. It is my understanding that this issue has been a problem since  at least November 18, 2017. It is time it is resolved.