New York County Surrogate’s Court—the busiest probate court in New York State—handles hundreds of estate filings each year. Every family’s circumstances are different. Our consultations are structured around your estate, not a generic checklist.
What We Cover in Your First Meeting
Russel Morgan, Esq. will review your specific situation against the governing framework—the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (SCPA) and the Estates, Powers and Trusts Law (EPTL)—and map the fastest compliant path forward.
Key Process Touchpoints We Assess
| Stage | Legal Authority | Custom Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Petition for Probate + original will filing | SCPA § 1414 | Estate complexity, number of distributees |
| Distributee jurisdiction (waiver or citation) | SCPA § 1414 | Contested risk, out-of-state heirs |
| Preliminary Letters Testamentary | SCPA § 1412 | Urgent asset protection needs |
| Court filing fee | SCPA § 2402 (graduated by estate value) | Confirmed at filing; verify current schedule with counsel |
| NY estate tax exposure | Basic exclusion $7,350,000 (cliff at $7,717,500) | Planning before Letters issue |
| Small estate shortcut | SCPA Article 13 voluntary administration | Real property generally excluded |
Uncontested Manhattan probate typically resolves in 3–6 months. Attorney fees generally range $3,000–$10,000 depending on estate complexity.
Pair this appointment with our probate overview, Surrogate’s Court guide, executor duties, small estate affidavit, or contested probate pages before your call.
Schedule your 30-minute consultation with Russel Morgan, Esq.
Further reading from Morgan Legal Group: what to ask a probate lawyer before hiring.