Meet Democratic Surrogate Candidate Theodore 'Ted' Stephens II

Editor's Note: The following article has been submitted by Theodore "Ted" Stephens II, the Democratic candidate for Essex County Surrogate.

In the June 7, 2011 primary election, Essex County Democrats overwhelmingly picked former Orange Municipal Court Judge Theodore N. Stephens, II as their candidate for Essex County Surrogate.  For the Nov. 8, 2011 General Election, everyone’s support and votes are needed to ensure that Theodore (“Ted”) Stephens becomes the next Essex County Surrogate.

The Essex County Surrogate’s Office is responsible for the probate of wills, the processing of adoptions and estate matters and the appointments of administrators, trustees and guardians.   

Ted Stephens has been a corporate, public sector and privately practicing attorney for more than 30 years. Ted started his legal career as a Regional Attorney for Burroughs (Unisys) Corporation. Thereafter, he served as Corporation Counsel for the City of East Orange. As a partner in the law firm of Stephens & Baugh, LLC in Maplewood, Ted Stephens has concentrated a major part of his practice on estate and family matters; specifically, he has handled many matters in the Essex County Surrogate’s Office including wills, guardianships, adoptions, estates and trusts. In 2009, Ted began teaching estates, wills and trusts in the Fairleigh Dickinson University paralegal studies program.

For the past 17 years, Ted Stephens has served as a Municipal Court Judge in six Essex County communities. During five of these years, he was also president of the Essex County Municipal Judges Association. Ted believed in dispensing justice firmly but fairly. He, however, was ever mindful of his obligation to embrace a teachable moment and always disbursed neckties to youthful defendants who were open to the prospect of improving their public image, both in and out of the courtroom.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Ted Stephens’ volunteer initiatives are a testament to his proven and trusted leadership, his commitment to community service, and his unique feel for the pulse of family and estate matters. A life-long resident of Essex County, he is the Immediate-Past Chairman of the East Orange YMCA Board of Managers; a paralegal instructor at Farleigh Dickinson University; and a Past Grand Polaris (International President) of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., a social service organization with approximately 30,000 members.

As the Democratic candidate for Essex County Surrogate, Ted Stephens is committed to continuing the efficient and compassionate services currently offered by of the surrogate’s office. In addition, he will seek to enhance the surrogate’s reputation by instituting a wide-ranging community outreach initiative to educate the public about the services performed by the surrogate – this will afford a greater opportunity for the public to become familiar with the Surrogate’s Office without the stresses which often accompany the first visit. Also, Ted Stephens will seek to address the disturbing trend of several banks new to the state of New Jersey, who threaten to make it more difficult for New Jersey residents to obtain items from safe deposit boxes in a timely manner. Documents such as wills, insurance policies, and the like, are often of critical importance for survivors after the passing of a loved one.

On Nov. 8, 2011, vote Democratic Party “Line A” and support the election, leadership and community commitment of Theodore “Ted” Stephens for Essex County Surrogate.  Every vote counts!