Surrogate’s Service to Public Most Pleasing

COURT HOUSE – In her office are filed hand-written wills dating from 1799. They share space with more modern last wills and testaments. In the same room are thick, bound volumes of Orphans Court Inventories from the 1800s that detail exact value of estates, including plows and carriage gear, all in picturesque penmanship. They are among the historic facets of the Office of Surrogate over which Cape May County Surrogate M. Susan Sheppard is guardian.
She is the 21st person, and the first woman to hold the local office since 1725, when Jacob Spicer first carried the title.
Sheppard finds the job, which she has held just over a year and a half, “very satisfying, it brings great comfort to people.” The Ocean City resident, who held municipal office, then a freeholder’s post, joined the ranks of constitutional officers when W. Robert Hentges retired after 40 years in office Dec. 31, 2012.
The Surrogate’s office is in a historic section of the courthouse on North Main Street, one that served for a time as the county library. The office’s facade was spared from demolition by concerted action of the Court House Neighborhood Association when renovations were being undertaken. In metal bas relief is a book and inkwell supported by stately white pillars.
Sheppard finds each level of government service rewarding in different ways. As legislators, freeholders do a lot of planning, she said. Often, projects one initiates take time to complete, as in Sheppard’s wayfinding program. It will remove guesswork of finding towns, and all town signs will be of a similar style. They have yet to be placed.
A lawyer before all else, Sheppard, finds the surrogate’s job “very gratifying because it brings in my legal ability to the job. It’s been great. I love working with lawyers, and in Cape May County, the Bar Association has very good lawyers. The judges are phenomenal and the citizens of the county are wonderful.”
“I find it very interesting (the job). I didn’t know exactly what a surrogate did. Now that I am here, I am amazed at the diversity of the job. It’s so unique, not only the aspects of wills and trusts, but guardianships and adoptions. There are so many aspects to the job,” Sheppard said.
During the first week Sheppard was in office, the state Supreme Court implemented a guardian program in the county. Five citizens “come into my office and go through guardian reports” to ensure those, such as incapacitated adults, are being properly treated. To ensure that continuing work, on July 11, Brooke Schumann from the Administrative Office of the Courts was checking on those reports.
Sheppard is preparing a five-year plan, “What I want to see happen in my five years,” said Sheppard. Among actions she hopes that will be undertaken:
* Post online some of the “fascinating wills from the 1700s, the founding members of our society.” All those hand-written documents are preserved in the office, but Sheppard would like the public to have access to them.
* Place online when wills have been probated and the date that took place. While the document would not be placed online, those with an interest could see when it was ready for action. That’s because many relatives will call the office to learn when wills have been probated.
* Continue the work begun by Hentges to cross train the small staff, so there would be more ability to specialize.
* Put as much material online as possible, because “People should have access to it,” she said.
As did Hentges, Sheppard enjoys speaking to clubs and organizations about the importance of having a will, and explaining what her office provides.
She especially enjoys speaking with senior citizens to explain how they can be protected. “There are some legal ways to protect themselves, and make sure they have all the knowledge and tools to do that,” Sheppard said.
“I always leave my cards when I speak, and inevitably, someone will call me a couple of days later to ask questions,” she continued.
One of the most satisfying parts of the job, she said, is when adoptions are finalized. “We bring in the family. Deputy Surrogate Lynne Germanio contacts the family’s attorney or the family direcetly to make sure all reports are done. She also schedules with Judge John Rauh, who officiates at the ceremonies. Cape May County Bar Association provides small, stuffed bears which are presented to children being adopted.
Sheppard said those small bears make a lasting impression. After giving a speech at an organization, a young woman approached to say that she still has, and cherishes, the small bear given when her adoption became final.
As surrogate, and therefore a judge, Sheppard has officiated at about 100 marriage ceremonies. She does not accept money to perform such ceremonies because she considers them a part of her public service.
Most people visit the surrogate’s office after a death occurs, and a will must be probated.
“If it (the will) is a good will, valid, we pride ourselves that people can walk out with a (short certificate) in an hour or less, often a half hour. In some counties you’d have to wait, but we try to serve,” said Sheppard.
What is required to get such a short certificate is to wait 10 days after a death, bring the original death certificate and “we will have them out that day.” Armed with that document estate matters, such as banking and Motor Vehicle Commission can be initiated.