When a person dies leaving a Will, the legal process that takes place is called probate. Before the Will has any legal effect, it must be admitted to probate by the Surrogate’s Court located in the county where the person died. In other words, the court must make a determination that the Will is valid. A valid Will must be properly executed and accurately reflect the wishes of the testator. It is only after the Will is probated that the Executor has authority to act.

In order to be valid, a New York Will must be signed in the presence of at least two witnesses and each must sign in the presence of the other. The person making the will must be competent to do so of his or her own free will, and not under any duress or undue influence.

The probate process is commenced by filing the original Will and a probate petition with the court. After jurisdiction is complete and all issues have been addressed, the court will issue a decree granting probate and issue Letters Testamentary to the Executor or Executors named in the Will. If anyone believes that the Will is not valid, that person may start a Will contest by filing objections to the probate.

“Letters Testamentary” is a document which give the Executor the authority to administer the estate. The Executor is responsible for collecting the decedent’s property, paying all expenses and distributing the property as the Will directs.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I need to probate my relative’s Will?

The Will is required to bo probated only when the decedent died possessing assets valued at $30,000 or greater. This does not include assets for which there are designated beneficiaries (e.g. joint accounts, “in-trust-for” accounts or insurance proceeds not payable to the estate).

Do I need an attorney to handle my probate matter?

There is no requirement that you hire an attorney to take care of a probate proceeding on your behalf. If you feel comfortable doing so, you may handle a simple probate yourself. However, many probate matters are challenging and you would be better served by having an experienced probate attorney handle your case. Some complications that may arise include difficulty in locating interested parties for jurisdictional purposes, defects in the language of the Will and the potential for someone contesting the Will.

How much does probate cost?

The costs associated with probate proceedings vary greatly dependant on the complexities of each particular case. Legal fees associated with a simple probate will be comparatively modest in comparison to those in a contested probate matter. Probate is regarded as simple where all of the parties are close relatives and all parties are in agreement with the terms of the Will. In addition to legal fees, the Surrogate’s Court charges probate filing fees based upon the value of the gross estate.

How long does probate take?

A simple probate may take a few weeks depending upon each individual Court schedule. On the other hand, probate can be a lengthy process when there are complications such as in a contested matter.