Estate Planning Archives - Probate Services — Staten Island, NY

Do You Need a Lawyer to Probate a Will in Staten Island?

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:00:08 +0000

You are not legally required to hire a lawyer to probate a will in Staten Island, but in nearly every real-world case you should. New York does not mandate an attorney for an executor petitioning the Richmond County Surrogate’s Court, yet the probate process is governed by the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (SCPA) and the […]

The post Do You Need a Lawyer to Probate a Will in Staten Island? appeared first on Probate Services — Staten Island, NY.

What Happens If Someone Dies Without a Will in Staten Island?

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:00:08 +0000

When someone dies without a will in Staten Island, New York’s intestacy laws take over and decide who inherits the estate — the deceased person’s wishes, however well-known to family, carry no legal weight. Instead of a will naming an executor and beneficiaries, the Richmond County Surrogate’s Court applies a fixed statutory formula under the […]

The post What Happens If Someone Dies Without a Will in Staten Island? appeared first on Probate Services — Staten Island, NY.

How Long Does Probate Take in Richmond County? (2026 Timeline)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:00:08 +0000

In most cases, an uncontested probate in Richmond County (Staten Island) takes approximately three to six months from the day the petition is filed to the day the Surrogate’s Court issues Letters Testamentary to the executor. That window covers preparing and filing the petition, securing the consent of the decedent’s distributees (or serving them with […]

The post How Long Does Probate Take in Richmond County? (2026 Timeline) appeared first on Probate Services — Staten Island, NY.

Preliminary Letters Testamentary in Richmond County (SCPA §1412)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:00:08 +0000

When a Staten Island resident dies leaving a will, the named executor often needs authority to act long before the full probate process concludes. Preliminary Letters Testamentary, authorized by SCPA §1412, give the executor interim power to manage the estate while the probate petition is still pending in the Richmond County Surrogate’s Court. This is […]

The post Preliminary Letters Testamentary in Richmond County (SCPA §1412) appeared first on Probate Services — Staten Island, NY.

Small Estate Affidavit vs. Full Probate in Staten Island

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:00:08 +0000

When a Staten Island resident passes away, the family’s first question is usually how to legally access and transfer the deceased person’s assets. The answer depends on the size and makeup of the estate: if the decedent left $50,000 or less in personal property, you can often use the streamlined small estate affidavit procedure known […]

The post Small Estate Affidavit vs. Full Probate in Staten Island appeared first on Probate Services — Staten Island, NY.

Richmond County Surrogate’s Court Filing Fees & Costs Explained (2026)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:00:08 +0000

If you are about to open a probate case in Staten Island, the cost has two main parts: a court filing fee that is graduated by the value of the estate under SCPA §2402, plus attorney fees that typically range from about $3,000 to $10,000 for a standard, uncontested matter. The court fee is set […]

The post Richmond County Surrogate’s Court Filing Fees & Costs Explained (2026) appeared first on Probate Services — Staten Island, NY.