New York Probate Lawyers
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about of New York Surrogate’s Courts
Protect your loved ones. Safeguard your family and secure your assets. Find your peace of mind.
Flexible Appointments
Affordable Legal Fees
Experienced Legal Team
We Respect Your Time
Let Our 69 Years of Experience Work For You
Since 1955, the experienced Buffalo estate planning attorneys at Friedman & Ranzenhofer, PC has been dedicated to providing our Buffalo clients with quality estate planning services, such as drafting living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, healthcare proxies, charitable planning documents, and more. Pet owners, divorced people, same sex couples and unmarried couples also have special estate planning needs. Schedule a consultation
NY Probate Guide
Download our FREE guide to learn 15 ways to avoid probate during the COVID-19 Crisis
Free NY Probate & Estate Resources
The Surrogate’s Court are in every county in New York State to hear cases involving the affairs of decedents, including the probate of Wills, and the administration of estates and trust proceedings. New York Family, Supreme, and Surrogate’s Courts have concurrent jurisdiction over guardianships of the person and property of infants.
Related NY Probate & Estates Videos
Filling Out a Will Information Worksheet
How Much Does a Will Cost?
Can You Write Your Own Will?
How Should I Prepare a Will?
Can I Disinherit My Spouse?
How Can I Draft a Power of Attorney? Springing Power of Attorney Durable Power of Attorney
Do I need a Health Care Proxy? Health Care Proxy and Living Will Costs Executor Not Paying Beneficiaries
What is the Role of the Executor? Executor Not Paying Beneficiaries How to Perform the Duties of Executor of an Estate
How Can I Draft a Power of Attorney? Springing Power of Attorney Durable Power of Attorney
Do I need a Health Care Proxy? Health Care Proxy and Living Will Costs Executor Not Paying Beneficiaries
What is the Role of the Executor? Executor Not Paying Beneficiaries How to Perform the Duties of Executor of an Estate
15 Ways to Avoid New York Probate – Seminar
What is Probate?
Why Probate is Necessary in NY
NY Estate Planning Considerations
NY Probate Process
How Long Does Probate Take?
NY Small Estate
NY Probate Avoidance
Risks of Avoiding NY Probate
Benefits of Avoiding NY Probate
What are My Non-Probate Assets?
Dying Without a Will in NY
Is Probate Necessary if Your Spouse Dies?
NY Will Contests
What are the Grounds for Contesting a Will?
New York Probate FAQs
Can I handle a NY estate proceeding without an attorney?
You are not required to have an attorney, estate proceedings can range from the relatively simple to the extremely complex. In many cases it may be impossible at the beginning of the process to foresee what questions or issues may arise. Therefore, it may be advisable to seek the assistance of legal counsel. If you are going to proceed without a lawyer, start by calling the appropriate Surrogate’s Court for information regarding the necessary forms. While court staff may provide legal information, they are prohibited by law from giving legal advice.
When is a NY estate proceeding necessary?
When a person dies with real property or personal property titled in their own name.
Where do you file a NY estate?
In the county where the decedent was domiciled.
Who has the authority to file a NY estate?
If there is a Will, the person named as the Executor, or, if they are unable to act, the person named as the Successor Executor. If there is no Will, any person interested in the estate under the laws of intestacy (i.e., and in order of preference: the surviving spouse, the children, the grandchildren, the father or mother, the brother or sister or other persons who are distributees and who are eligible and qualify), or a public administrator or a creditor.
What are Some Common Proceedings in NY Surrogate’s Court?
- Probate: The process by which a Will is proved to the satisfaction of the Surrogate (judge) to be the valid Last Will and Testament of the person who died (decedent).
- Administration: A procedure for collecting and distributing assets of a person who died without a Will (intestate).
- Voluntary Administration (also referred to as small estate administration): A simple and inexpensive method of administering the estate of a deceased person whose personal assets in the decedent’s name alone do not exceed $50,000 ,exclusive of certain types of property.
- Trusts: NY Surrogate’s Court handles the following types of trusts:
- Inter vivos trusts are created during the settlor’s lifetime.
- Testamentary trusts arises upon the death of the testator under his/her Will.
- Guardianship: The NY Surrogate’s Court handles the following types of guardianships:
- Guardianship over an infant’s (child under 18 years of age) “person,” and/or “property”. A guardian is usually a family member who is granted authority to care for and make certain decisions for a child (for the “person”). Whenever a child receives money in excess of $10,000, someone must be formally appointed by the Court to safeguard these funds until the child becomes 18. Usually, a parent (the child’s “natural guardian”) is the person appointed “legal guardian” over these funds.
- Guardianship over a person with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities and/or his/her property: An individual who is certified by at least two doctors (one of which must be a medical doctor; and one of which may be a licensed psychologist) as being unable to care for him/herself because of an intellectual or a developmental disability can have a guardian appointed by the Court to make decisions on his/her behalf.
What is a NY Will?
A Will is a written declaration of what a person wants done with their property upon death. A person who dies leaving a Will is said to die “testate.” The law requires certain formalities for a Will to be valid. A valid Will can transfer an interest in both personal property (e.g. bank accounts, furniture, stocks, clothing) and real estate. A Will allows a person to name a trusted individual to serve as an executor of the estate. It also can provide protection for family members; for example, trusts for adult incompetent children, or “sprinkling” trusts for minor grandchildren where a trustee has discretion to distribute income according to need. A petition to probate a Will must be filed in the Surrogate’s Court.
Where should I keep my New York Will?
If a lawyer prepared your Will for you, you may wish to discuss with him or her where to keep the original Will. Generally, the original Will should be kept in a safe place which will be easily accessible if it is needed. For a small or no fee, the Surrogate’s Court stores the Will for safekeeping. Each Will is kept confidential until the Court receives proof of death. Upon receipt of the proof of death, the Court will open the Will and it becomes a public document.
What happens if someone dies without a Will?
A person who dies without a Will is said to have died “intestate” . Because the deceased person left no direction on how to dispose of their assets, New York law (EPTL 4-1.1) provides for how those assets will be distributed among the surviving members of the decedent’s family. Who gets what depends on who the living relatives are and their relationship to the Decedent. The family members who are entitled to a share of the Decedent’s estate when there is no Will are called “distributees”. If the Decedent has:
- a spouse (husband or wife) and no children the spouse inherits everything.
- children but no spouse children inherit everything .
- spouse and children* the spouse inherits the first $50,000 plus half of the balance. The children* inherit everything else.
- parents but no spouse and no children* the parents inherit everything.
- siblings (brothers or sisters) but no spouse, children*, or parents the siblings inherit everything.
- Adopted children inherit just like a biological child.
- Foster children and stepchildren will not inherit unless they were legally adopted.
- Children born after the Decedent dies will inherit.
- Children born outside of marriage, also called non-marital child, will inherit from a male Decedent if paternity is established
- Grandchildren will inherit only if their parent (the Decedent’s child) dies before the Decedent died. If the Decedent has no family at all, then the property will go to New York State. A certified copy of the death certificate needs to be filed with the administration petition and other supporting documents in the Surrogate’s Court located in the county in which the decedent was domiciled (had their primary residence). There is a filing fee based on the size of the estate.
Who may be appointed to handle a NY estate proceeding?
If there is a Will that has been admitted to Probate, the person named as Executor or, if that person is deceased or unable to act, the person named as Successor Executor. If there is no Will, a person who qualifies under the laws of intestacy to serve as the Administrator. An Executor or Administrator serves as a fiduciary.
I am the Executor of a Will, how do I get the New York Will admitted to probate?
The original Will and a certified copy of the death certificate need to be filed with the probate petition and other supporting documents in the Surrogate’s Court located in the county in which the decedent was domiciled (primary residence). There Will be a filing fee based on the size of the estate.
My parent left a very small New York Is there an easy way for me to proceed?
If the value of the estate is under $50,000 (exclusive of certain types of property) and the decedent owned no real estate, a small estate proceeding may be filed. The filing fee is only $1.00. This proceeding is available for persons who died with or without a Will. You can use the free and easy DIY Forms Small Estate Affidavit program.
My dad died and the only asset is his Do I have to file a proceeding in New York Surrogate’s Court to have it turned over to my siblings and to me?
Not necessarily. By operation of law, real property vests in the estate’s distributees at time of death. (Distributees are the persons entitled to share in an estate if there is no valid Will.) If your dad died intestate (without a Will) and was not survived by a spouse, the property is owned by you and your siblings (as well as the children of any predeceased siblings) as of the time of his death. You should contact the appropriate tax office to see what the requirements are to list you as owners. You may also wish to consult a real estate attorney to prepare a deed to make the title to the property “cleaner.” If your dad died testate (with a Will), the property would be passed on in accordance with the terms of the Will and a probate proceeding may be necessary.
My mother died in a New York nursing home. I was told that I must file a proceeding in New York Surrogate’s Court to obtain the money in their personal account. What proceeding do I file?
If that is the only asset or the value of the total assets are under $50,000, (exclusive of certain types of property, the clerk of court can provide more information as to whether you qualify), you may file a small estate proceeding. If over the relevant monetary amount, you must file a full administration or probate proceeding.
My spouse died in a car accident. I have hired a lawyer to sue the driver of the other car. There are no assets other than the lawsuit. Does a proceeding need to be filed in New York Surrogate’s Court?
Yes. A probate proceeding or administration proceeding will be necessary. The Executor or Administrator can bring the action in the appropriate court. When a settlement is reached or a trial has been concluded, a proceeding should be brought in Surrogate’s Court to allocate and distribute the proceeds to the proper persons.
I am a New York surviving spouse who does not receive anything under the terms of my deceased husband's/wife's Will. What can I do?
Generally, a surviving spouse may file a “Right of Election” which would entitle him/her to take a share of the deceased spouse’s estate. Generally, this “election” must be made within six months from the date letters testamentary issue to the executor, but in no event later than two years after the decedent’s death; and may entitle her/him to the greater of $50,000.00 or one-third of the net estate, if the decedent died on or after September 1, 1992.
How do I get a copy of a New York death certificate?
The funeral director usually purchases several originals for your use. You may also obtain them from the Vital Statistics/Death Records Department in the municipality in which the person died. In New York City, contact the Department of Health.
How do I obtain NY guardianship over a child and a child's property?
The Surrogate’s Court can provide forms and assistance on how to fill them out. You will need to file the child’s birth certificate and other required information and pay a $20.00 filing fee. Then, an investigation will begin and other procedures will be necessary. Most commonly, these proceedings are processed on the papers submitted to the Court, without the necessity of a formal hearing. However, in some circumstances, the court may require a hearing.
What does New York “presumptive mediation” mean?
The Surrogate’s Court’s ADR (alternative dispute resolution) program mandates, aside from appropriate exceptions, an automatic referral to the court’s mediation program.
Recent NY Probate & Estates Blogs
For further information, contact New York Estates attorney, Robert Friedman for a free consultation at 716.542.5444.
Client Reviews
“Friedman & Ranzenhofer provided prompt, courteous and professional assistance regarding a current legal issue. We have used the services of this firm repeatedly because of their consistent high quality service levels.”
– Ed Berowski
If you have questions about a legal issue, contact our experienced Buffalo attorneys today for dedicated representation.
Let our experience work for you.
13 thoughts on “New York Probate Lawyers”
Comments are closed.
Pingback: When Can a NY Will Copy Be Probated? | New York Probate Attorneys
Pingback: DIY New York Probate and Estate Administration Without a Lawyer
Pingback: King's County Surrogate's Court Judge Suspended | Legal Survival
Pingback: Is a Marriage in The Celebration State Valid in New York?
Pingback: NY State Police Liable for Wrongful Death Caused by Drunk Driver - Experienced Buffalo Lawyers
Pingback: Financial Rights of NY Nursing Home Patients | Buffalo Elder Law Attorney
Pingback: Nursing Home Medicaid Seminar | New York Elder Law Attorneys
Pingback: Who Is In Charge Of The Probate Process in New York? - Experienced Buffalo Lawyers
Pingback: What Is The Probate Process In New York For Someone Who Dies With A Will? - Experienced Buffalo Lawyers
Pingback: The Process of Probate | Estate Planning Attorney Near Buffalo
Pingback: New York Probate Guide | Buffalo Estate Planning Lawyer | Elder Law
Pingback: Albany Estate Planning Attorneys | Will & Probate Lawyers in Albany, NY
Pingback: Syracuse Estate Planning Attorneys | Will & Probate Lawyers in Syracuse, NY