Vince Farias for Surrogate

FREEHOLDER VINCE FARIAS KICKS OFF
HIS CAMPAIGN FOR SURROGATE,
PLEDGING TO EXPAND SERVICES
Mount Holly, NJ - Freeholder Vince Farias today officially kicked off his campaign for Burlington County Surrogate, pledging to expand the office’s services while providing the public with more information about wills and estates, adoptions and guardianships, and the safekeeping of minors’ funds.
“The responsibilities of the Surrogate are critically important to all families, particularly our older residents,� Farias said. “At the same time, the Surrogate becomes involved in many serious cases involving children.�
Now in his 14th year as a freeholder, Farias outlined his six-point plan for expanding and improving the Surrogate’s Office. In particular, he said he intended to secure the Surrogate Office’s reputation for public service and efficiency while building upon the public information components initiated by the late Elton A. Conda.
“Based on the freeholders’ interaction with the Surrogate’s Office over the past several years I know that matters involving wills and probate are a lot more complicated today then they were even 20 years ago,� said Farias.
“After serving as freeholder I look forward to working with families and our older residents to ensure they have the information they need to execute a valid will, to have one probated, or to serve as an executor of an estate,� he continued.
“However, in the tradition of Elton Conda, everything we do will be with an eye on the bottom line. As a freeholder I have worked to keep the county tax rate on a downward spiral and I will do my part as a surrogate to keep that record intact,� he said.
Farias outlined his six-point plan for the Surrogate thusly:
Provide Last Will and Testament Workshops. County residents would be provided information on the elements of a basic valid will. Through the workshop, they would also be able to draw a will that could be properly executed. Workshops, to be conducted in cooperation with the County’s Office on Aging and the appropriate legal experts would also delve into such topics as preparation of a Living Will and how to prepare a Power of Attorney.
Take the Surrogate’s Office on the Road. Former Surrogate Conda initiated the practice of meeting with groups to provide general information about the office and timely information on wills and probate. Farias would continue the practice, and make himself and staff available for such group sessions. The Office would continue to enjoy a regularly-scheduled presence at the County Corner Store in Moorestown Mall.
Take the Surrogate’s Office on the Road, Part II. As part of the office’s technology upgrades, staff would be supplied with laptops, which would enable them to meet with homebound residents who have official business to conduct with the Surrogate.
Seek Outside Grant Funding. Hoping to modernize the office with the latest tools available at the least cost, Farias will actively pursue grant funding that can be used to streamline recordkeeping and upgrade both computer hardware and software when and where necessary.
Create An Interactive Website. With the Internet now a major source for information even with older residents, Farias would create an expanded website which would enable “surfers� to ask questions on line and obtain responses. Any inquiries involving complex legal and inheritance tax questions would be directed to the appropriate legal experts.
Generate More Printed Information. Former Surrogate Conda produced an outstanding booklet on the probate of wills. Farias would expand the “library� of publications to include information on Living Trusts, Power of Attorney, and instructions for executors, heirs and others, as well as the surrogate’s often forgotten responsibility for the processing of adoptions, and the safeguarding of minors’ funds.
With a lengthy background in banking and finance, Farias said he was well-qualified to ensure that minors’ funds entrusted to his safekeeping received the maximum return in investment interest. He said his 27 years of teaching experience in the area of special education also equip him to deal with adoption and other surrogate’s issues involving minors.
“When people suddenly find themselves in the surrogate’s office, they are usually going through a family tragedy or situation that is generating more stress, turmoil and grief than they ever imagined,� said Farias. “Those are tough circumstances under which to conduct business.
“I see my role as surrogate in not only helping these people deal with these difficult times, but also helping them understand the issues long before the difficult times arrive,� he added.
“I believe that Burlington County voters and residents know my record as an elected official, and know my dedication to providing them the best service that County government can deliver. As surrogate, I guarantee them more of the same.�

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