When a person dies leaving a valid Last Will & Testament, the estate is generally administered through a Probate Proceeding in the Surrogate’s Court to establish the validity of the Will, appoint the individual nominated by the decedent to serve as Executor, and authorize that person to administer the estate according to the decedent’s wishes.  Once the Court admits the Will to probate, Letters Testamentary are issued to the Executor which provide the legal authority necessary to collect estate assets, pay valid debts and expenses, manage or sell real property, open an estate bank account, address tax matters, and ultimately distribute the estate to the beneficiaries named in the Will.

While probate may appear straightforward, the process often involves numerous procedural requirements. Depending upon the circumstances, these may include locating and serving interested parties, obtaining Waivers and Consents, preparing Citations, addressing issues concerning distributees, submitting affidavits of attesting witnesses, locating original Wills, or resolving issues involving lost or later-discovered testamentary documents.  The administration of an estate frequently extends beyond simply collecting financial accounts, as estate assets can include real property, cooperative apartments, business interests, brokerage and investment accounts, vehicles, tangible personal property, insurance proceeds payable to the estate, and other assets requiring transfer or liquidation before distribution to the beneficiaries. 

When litigation involving the decedent is pending or anticipated, additional proceedings may be necessary to protect the estate’s interests. In some instances, probate proceedings intersect with Supreme Court, Civil Court, or United States District Court litigation, requiring familiarity with both Surrogate’s Court practice and the procedural requirements governing litigation involving estates.

Surrogate’s Court Solutions, LLC provides document preparation and procedural assistance with Probate proceedings, including the preparation of Probate Petitions, supporting affidavits, Waivers and Consents, Citations, proposed Decrees, Letters Testamentary, Ancillary Probate proceedings, and other related Surrogate’s Court filings.

Whether you are an attorney seeking experienced procedural support or an individual administering the estate of a loved one, Surrogate’s Court Solutions, LLC assists clients in navigating the procedural requirements of the Surrogate’s Court efficiently, professionally, and cost-effectively.