If you have any estate law issues that you need to address, you need to understand how Suffolk County probate court works. There are many different legal issues that could arise which necessitate court involvement, ranging from conservatorship or guardianship proceedings to the probate process that must take place when someone passes away. 
Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm can provide the help you need to navigate the Suffolk County probate court system.
Our legal team understands how the courts work and we can protect your rights as you come before a judge. Whether you are an executor of an estate, an heir or beneficiary, or a concerned friend or relative of a person who is incapacitated, our legal team is here to help you. Give us a call to find out more about how we can assist you.
What is the Suffolk County Probate Court?
Within Suffolk County, NY, the Surrogate’s Court for the 10th Judicial District is the court that handles all legal matters related to estates and wills. The court is also the court that presides over guardianship proceedings, and that handles cases in which a person dies without a will.
There is a surrogate’s judge who works in each one of the 62 different counties of New York State; however both Kings and New York Counties have two surrogate judges.
The Surrogate’s Court for Suffolk County can be found at 320 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901. The main phone number for the court is 631-852-1746. The phone number for administration of small estates is 631-852-1713 and the number of the guardianship department is 631-852-1735.
What Can You Expect in Suffolk County Probate Court?
The specific process that will take place in surrogate’s court is going to vary depending upon what you come before the court for. Typically, court proceedings are initiated by someone who is named as the executor of an estate in a deceased person’s will, or by a close relative of someone who has passed away with no will.
If a person is incapacitated and guardianship proceedings must be initiated, these proceedings are usually also started in Suffolk County probate court when a close relative files appropriate papers.
You can access forms for the Surrogate Court online at the NY Courts website to begin the process. The forms are organized into different categories, with forms for estate administration, probate, guardianship, and small estates. Forms are PDFs that can be filled out online and printed. They cannot be submitted online.
When forms are submitted to the court, the probate process or guardianship proceedings can move forward. The court could officially appoint an executor who was named in the will, thus making the executor legally responsible for managing assets of the deceased and moving probate forward.
The court can schedule a hearing to preside over the process of probating a will; administering an estate; or determining if someone needs a guardian and appointing one. Appropriate notice of court proceedings must be provided to all parties with an interest in the case. Parties can present evidence to the courts and the court will do things like deciding if a will is valid and should be probated or deciding if someone really is incapacitated and a guardian should be appointed.
Lots of different things can occur during the proceedings in Suffolk County probate court, such as someone contesting a will or arguing that he should not be declared incapacitated. To be prepared for whatever issues arise, it is best for you to have an experienced attorney representing you if you have any legal matters before the court.
Getting Help from A Suffolk County Probate and Estates Lawyer
Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm understands the ins-and-outs of the probate court process and our legal team can assist you in making smart and informed choices on any legal matters that come before the court.
Our firm can represent an executor during the probate process after death, as well as representing heirs or beneficiaries who have legal issues that they need to address during probate or trust administration. We also provide help to others who need to come before the court, whether your purpose is to contesting a will or to initiate guardianship or conservatorship proceedings.
To discover more about the role our legal team plays in helping clients with issues that are heard in probate court, join us for a free seminar. You can also give us a call at (631) 265-0599 or contact us online to talk with a Suffolk County probate and estates lawyer for personalized assistance.
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