MORRIS COUNTY — County Surrogate Heather J. Darling, Esq. is proud to announce the launch of “Hannah,” a new AI-powered Virtual Assistant, representing the most advanced technology of its kind to be used to date in a government office in New Jersey. Not only does Hannah respond to inquiries, but she also performs functions including appointment scheduling, call transfers, and data analytics. Hannah answers incoming phone calls and provides callers with 24-hour, seven-day-a-week access to essential information regarding probate, guardianship, and estate matters.
By introducing this technology, Surrogate Darling is expanding access beyond traditional office hours, allowing Morris County residents to receive guidance and support during evenings, weekends, and holidays, ensuring that help is always available when it is most convenient for them.
The most common questions involve what documents are required to begin probate or how to obtain Surrogate certificates. The Virtual Assistant is programmed to provide clear, plain-language answers to these and many other inquiries.
A key priority for Surrogate Darling was to streamline the process for those visiting the Court. To achieve this, the Virtual Assistant sends automated reminders to residents’ emails with detailed information on what documentation to bring to their appointments. These proactive notifications help reduce missed appointments and ensure that clients arrive fully prepared, which in turn allows staff to provide more effective and focused service during in-person consultations.
In addition to enhancing public access, Hannah supports staff by handling routine inquiries, allowing them to focus on complex and sensitive cases that require deep personal attention or physical tasks. Surrogate Darling emphasizes that while Hannah is a powerful tool for modernization, it operates securely without storing personal data and is intended to complement, rather than replace, the compassionate service the Morris County Surrogate’s Court is known for. This innovation reflects Surrogate Darling’s ongoing commitment to modernizing the Morris County Surrogate’s Court while keeping the needs of the community at the heart of every improvement.
For more information, visit morrissurrogate.com.
