What Is Administration?
Administration is the court process used when someone dies without a will (intestate). The court appoints an administrator — usually the closest living relative — and issues Letters of Administration, which authorize the administrator to collect assets, pay debts, and distribute the estate under New York law.
Who has priority to be appointed and who inherits are statewide rules — the same in every county. See our statewide probate vs. administration guide for the priority order and intestacy rules. This page covers what's specific to Suffolk.
Where to File in Suffolk
If the person who died was domiciled in Suffolk County, the petition is filed with Suffolk County Surrogate's Court at 320 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901. The court's phone is 631-852-1745 (an automated menu system), and published hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except State Holidays. The court's protocols also publish a direct line for its Administration Department: 631-852-1714.
Not sure Suffolk is the right county? See our statewide venue guide.
Mandatory E-Filing (NYSCEF)
Under the court's NYSCEF protocol, e-filing is mandatory for all new administration proceedings — and their related and subsequent proceedings — commenced on or after January 24, 2018. The court also accepts e-filed documents in "hybrid" proceedings that began on paper.
What You'll Need
- Death certificate — certified copy; in Suffolk it must be filed within 2 business days of e-filing (the court's protocols confirm death certificates may also be filed in person at the courthouse)
- Administration petition and supporting documents — statewide forms
- List of estate assets with approximate values
- Details for all legal heirs (distributees)
Before the initial e-filing, the court's protocol also requires two separate checks: first, run an inquiry in the e-filing system on the decedent's last name plus first initial to see whether a file is already open (the protocol asks that you not call the court for that); second, contact the court to ask whether the decedent left a will on file — for example, filed for safekeeping. If a will turns up, the case may be a probate, not an administration.
If the Estate Is Contested
Per the court's published protocols, new contested matters in Suffolk are subject to mandatory ADR (mediation), and motions must be returnable on a Tuesday process-calendar day. Stipulations to be "so ordered" are both e-filed AND emailed to the Chief Clerk with proof of e-filing attached. Confirm current details against the court's current protocols document.
The court's protocols add local details. The process calendar is called at 9:30 a.m., in person unless arranged with the court in advance, and the calendar markings are posted on the court's website each week. In-person appearances are required for the process calendar, orders to show cause, SCPA 2103 examinations, and orders to compel production of a will — virtual appearances are permitted only in the court's discretion.
As for mediation costs, the court publishes that its roster mediators are paid $300 per hour — the first 1.5 hours of the session are uncompensated — with the fee split equally between the parties unless they agree otherwise. Cases involving the Public Administrator are exempt from referral to mediation.
Filing Fees
Fees follow the same statewide estate-value schedule (SCPA 2402) in every county. See our statewide filing fees guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to e-file an administration petition in Suffolk County?
For represented filers, yes. Under the court's NYSCEF protocol, e-filing is mandatory for all new administration proceedings (and related and subsequent proceedings) commenced on or after January 24, 2018. Unrepresented (pro se) filers are exempt but may opt in.
Do I need the death certificate before filing?
Yes — get certified copies early. Per the court's NYSCEF protocol, a certified death certificate must be filed with the court within 2 business days of e-filing.
Who has priority to be appointed administrator?
The priority order is a statewide rule (SCPA 1001), the same in every county: surviving spouse first, then children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, and so on. Our statewide probate vs. administration guide covers the full order and who inherits under EPTL 4-1.1.
What if family members disagree about the estate?
Per the court's published protocols, new contested matters in Suffolk are subject to mandatory ADR (mediation), through roster mediators or private mediation. Confirm the current procedure against the court's current protocols document or with the court.
What if the person who died didn't live in Suffolk County?
Surrogate's Court proceedings are generally filed in the county where the person who died was domiciled — not where you live. If they were domiciled in another county, you file there instead. Our statewide venue guide walks through how domicile is determined.
How do I get certified copies or documents back from the court?
Court-certified documents are available through the court's Cashier Department (the court's protocols list the Cashier at 631-852-1730); per the court's records protocol, requests made after 2:45 pm are processed the next business day, and certified copies of a decree or order requested and paid for through NYSCEF arrive by regular mail. To have documents mailed back, the court's protocol requires a self-addressed stamped envelope with at least 2 ounces of postage — without one, documents go to the pick-up bin instead of the mail. Older paper files stored off-site are retrieved by the Records Department (631-852-1724), which visits the storage location at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm daily on a requisition form.