Probate Services — Manhattan, NY

New York County Surrogate’s Court Filing Fees & Costs Explained (2026)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 02:22:59 +0000

If you are settling the estate of a loved one who lived in Manhattan, the cost to probate a will at the New York County Surrogate’s Court breaks down into two main categories: a graduated court filing fee set by statute (SCPA §2402) that scales with the size of the estate, plus attorney’s fees that […]

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Small Estate Affidavit vs. Full Probate in Manhattan

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 02:22:59 +0000

When a loved one passes away in Manhattan, the right way to settle their estate depends largely on what they owned and how it was titled. The small estate affidavit — formally called voluntary administration under SCPA Article 13 — is a streamlined, lower-cost process for estates of limited personal property value, while full probate […]

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Preliminary Letters Testamentary in New York County (SCPA §1412)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 02:22:59 +0000

Preliminary letters testamentary are interim court credentials, issued by the New York County Surrogate’s Court under SCPA §1412, that allow the executor named in a Manhattan decedent’s will to begin administering the estate before the full probate proceeding concludes. When a will is filed for probate but the matter cannot be decided immediately — because […]

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How Long Does Probate Take in New York County? (2026 Timeline)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 02:22:59 +0000

For most uncontested estates, probate in New York County (Manhattan) takes roughly three to six months from the day the petition is filed with the Surrogate’s Court to the day Letters Testamentary are issued and the executor can begin administering the estate. That is the short answer. The full picture, however, depends on how quickly […]

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What Happens If Someone Dies Without a Will in Manhattan?

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 02:22:59 +0000

When someone dies without a will in Manhattan, New York’s intestacy statutes — not the deceased’s personal wishes — control who inherits the estate, and the matter is handled through the New York County Surrogate’s Court by a process called administration rather than probate. Because there is no will to name an executor, the court […]

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Do You Need a Lawyer to Probate a Will in Manhattan?

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 02:22:59 +0000

Strictly speaking, New York law does not require you to hire a lawyer to probate a will in Manhattan. If you are the named executor and the estate is simple, you may file the petition yourself with the New York County Surrogate’s Court. But the honest answer most attorneys will give you is this: while […]

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Immigration Status & Inheritance Rights in New York

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:21:00 +0000

How immigration status affects inheritance and probate in New York — non-citizen spouses, foreign heirs, QDOT trusts, and when to call each specialist.

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