A New York Estate is Not a Legal Entity and Cannot Be Sued. After the death of an individual, the usual course is to proceed to have a fiduciary appointed to represent the decedent's estate.
The person who performs this work is a fiduciary of the estate, also known as an administrator or executor. In New York, creditors have a maximum of seven months to file claims against an estate.
If you have been named as a beneficiary in a will, it is important to recognize how long you have to declare your inheritance. Generally speaking, the time limit for a person or family member to claim an inheritance in New York State is two years from the date of the decedent's death.
How to Submit a Claim A copy of the death certificate. Proof of Address or Ownership connecting the owner to the address or funds. Letters of Authority (Testamentary/Administration) issued by the court certifying your appointment, dated within the last six months, or a Small Estates Affidavit and Table of Heirs.
Probate involves several steps: Filing the probate petition. Give Notice. Inventorying the property. Paying outstanding debts and taxes. Distributing the remaining property as the will or state intestacy law directs.
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.
Under New York law, home sellers are required to deliver a Property Condition Disclosure Statement to the buyers – or allow a $500 credit at closing. Both buyers and sellers need an attorney's help in determining how to respond to this law.
Filing for a Small Estate If there is a Will, the Executor files the original Will and a certified death certificate with the small estate affidavit petition and other supporting documents in the Surrogate's Court in the county where the Decedent had their primary residence.
It's also important to note that certain steps in the probate process have strict deadlines. For example, the executor or administrator must file the initial petition for probate within 30 days of the deceased's passing.