For Immediate Release:
April 13, 2026

Surrogate announces ‘I’m Just a Will’ initiative
Activity Book available and new social media campaign launched

FREEHOLD, NJ – Monmouth County Surrogate Maureen T. Raisch is proud to announce the “I’m Just a Will” initiative, featuring an engaging activity book designed to make creating a will approachable, informative, and memorable, along with a social media campaign offering weekly tips.

“As the Monmouth County Surrogate, I see what happens when someone passes away without a will every day, many had every intention of creating one, but never did. Through this initiative, I want people to know that making a will is easier than they think and taking that step today can provide you with peace of mind and make all the difference for your loved ones,” said Surrogate Maureen T. Raisch. “I created this interactive activity book to help residents better understand, even enjoy learning the common terms and phrases associated with making a will and planning for their future. Readers will be guided by a fun, new character named Will N. Testament, who explains key concepts along the way.”

As part of the initiative, the Surrogate’s Office will also share weekly posts on Facebook, X and Instagram @MonmouthGovNJ, highlighting the importance of having a will and encouraging residents to begin the process of preparing the document.

“The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners is excited to support the Surrogate’s ‘I’m Just a Will’ initiative,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “While many people may not spend much time thinking about creating a will, this initiative helps make the process easier to understand and more accessible. I encourage everyone to pick up a copy of the activity book and follow @MonmouthGovNJ on social media for helpful weekly tips.”

“I want to thank Surrogate Raisch for launching the ‘I’m Just a Will’ activity book and social media campaign,” said Commissioner Erik Anderson, liaison to the Monmouth County Surrogate’s Office. “This user-friendly guide includes fun activities, helpful tips, key terms, and important definitions to make often complex topics like wills, probate, and estate planning easier for residents to understand.”

The Surrogate’s Office also welcomes invitations to speak with schools, libraries, community groups, professional associations, and businesses for “lunch and learn” programs. Surrogate Raisch's presentation covers: The role of the Surrogate Court; wills, estates and probate; and how the court serves families in the community. The sessions are informative, approachable and designed to help residents gain a clearer understanding of the vital services the Surrogate’s Office provides the community.

To learn more about the “I’m Just a Will,” initiative, please contact the Monmouth County Surrogate’s Office at 732-431-7330 or email Surrogate@co.monmouth.nj.us.

For news and alerts from Monmouth County, go to www.visitmonmouth.com or follow @MonmouthGovNJ on Facebook X and Instagram.

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