Question 1

Where is Orange County Surrogate's Court?

Accepted Answer

Orange County Surrogate's Court is located at 30 Park Place, Goshen, NY 10924, in Goshen, the county seat. The court sits in the 9th Judicial District. The phone number is 845-476-3655.

Question 2

What are the court's hours?

Accepted Answer

The published hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding state holidays, per the official New York Courts website.

Question 3

How do I contact the court?

Accepted Answer

The court publishes a phone number (845-476-3655), a fax number (845-291-2196), and a virtual-court email address (VirtualOrangeSurrogatesCourt@nycourts.gov). Clerks can answer general questions about procedures and forms, but they cannot give legal advice.

Question 4

Who is the judge of Orange County Surrogate's Court?

Accepted Answer

The court's official page lists Hon. Timothy McElduff, Jr., AJSC under the heading "Judge." Amy Miller is the Chief Clerk and Kerri Serkes is the Deputy Chief Clerk.

Question 5

Which county do I file in?

Accepted Answer

Surrogate's Court proceedings are generally filed in the county where the person who died was domiciled (made their primary home) — not where you live. If the person lived in Orange County, you file in Orange County Surrogate's Court, even if you live elsewhere. Our statewide venue guide explains how domicile is determined.

Question 6

What is the difference between probate and administration?

Accepted Answer

Probate is used when the deceased person left a valid will — the court validates the will and appoints the named executor. Administration is used when there is no will — the court appoints an administrator according to a priority order set by state law. Our statewide probate vs. administration guide compares the two processes in detail.

Question 7

How much does it cost to file in Orange County Surrogate's Court?

Accepted Answer

Filing fees are set by state statute (SCPA 2402) and are the same in all 62 New York counties — they are based on the size of the estate. See our statewide Surrogate's Court filing fees guide for the complete schedule.

Question 8

The estate is small — is there a simpler process?

Accepted Answer

Yes. New York offers voluntary administration (SCPA Article 13) for qualifying small estates, filed in the same Goshen courthouse. See our Orange County small estates guide.

Question 9

Is there free legal help for Surrogate's Court matters?

Accepted Answer

The New York State Bar Association maintains a Surrogate's Court help resource, and free or low-cost counsel may be available for certain matters (nysba.org/surrogatescourt).

Question 10

Is this website affiliated with the court?

Accepted Answer

No. This is an independent public resource created to help families navigate the Surrogate's Court process. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Orange County Surrogate's Court or the New York State Unified Court System. For official court information, visit nycourts.gov or call 845-476-3655.

Orange County Surrogate's Court FAQ

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