New York Surrogate's Court
Without the Runaround

When a loved one dies in New York, the estate goes through the Surrogate's Court of the county where they lived. Every county uses the same statewide forms — but every clerk's office has its own procedures, fees, and habits. This guide covers both: the statewide process and the local details, in plain English.

We're an independent public resource operated by Keystone Pinnacle, a document preparation and coordination business. We are not a law firm, we don't give legal advice, and we are not affiliated with the New York State Unified Court System or any Surrogate's Court.

The guides are free and always will be. If you need hands-on help — preparing forms, coordinating an inherited-property sale, or figuring out which process applies — we offer those services too.