New York probate
Which simplified transfer route should you check?
Who may qualify for the simplified route?
SE-3A is the official. As of October 17, 2026, SCPA §1304 requires the affidavit and certified death certificate, sets a $1 fee, and provides for a short certificate evidencing authority without a post-death waiting period. Match every required fact to a supporting record before signing the simplified-estate document. Current fee source, invoice or receipt, approval, and separate estate-ledger entry
Which documents and evidence are needed?
As of October 17, 2026, SCPA §1304 requires the affidavit and certified death certificate, sets a $1 fee, and provides for a short certificate evidencing authority without a post-death waiting period. Record what was presented, what property was collected, the authority used, and the final transfer.
How does the collection process work?
Article 13 does not administer a New York real-property interest, but such ownership does not by itself bar Article 13 for qualifying personal property. Move to ordinary probate or administration when any documented condition disqualifies the simplified route. Ownership record, beneficiary designation, valuation, institution response, and transfer proof
New York probate
What determines eligibility?
- Record what was presented, what property was collected, the authority used, and the final transfer.
- Move to ordinary probate or administration when any documented condition disqualifies the simplified route.
- Keep the supporting record, responsible person, chosen action, and next deadline together before proceeding
- Keep the supporting record, responsible person, chosen action, and next deadline together before proceeding
- Keep the supporting record, responsible person, chosen action, and next deadline together before proceeding
Plain-language terms: Letters Testamentary are the court-issued proof that an executor has authority to act for the estate. Real property means real estate, such as a house, land, or another interest in land. A fiduciary is an executor or administrator with a legal duty to act in the estate’s best interest.
New York probate
Which records and documents belong in the packet?
- Who may qualify for the simplified route?Keep the supporting record, responsible person, chosen action, and next deadline together before proceeding
- Which documents and evidence are needed?Keep the supporting record, responsible person, chosen action, and next deadline together before proceeding
- How does the collection process work?Keep the supporting record, responsible person, chosen action, and next deadline together before proceeding
- When does the simplified route not fit?Keep the supporting record, responsible person, chosen action, and next deadline together before proceeding
New York probate
Why might an institution reject the request?
| Question or record | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| How does the collection process work? | As of October 17, 2026, SCPA §1304 requires the affidavit and certified death certificate, sets a $1 fee, and provides for a short certificate evidencing authority without a post-death waiting period. For New York, keep the controlling source, supporting record, responsible person, chosen action, and next deadline together in the estate file before relying on this answer. |
| When does the simplified route not fit? | Article 13 does not administer a New York real-property interest, but such ownership does not by itself bar Article 13 for qualifying personal property. Move to ordinary probate or administration when any documented condition disqualifies the simplified route. |
| Who may qualify for the simplified route? | As of October 17, 2026, Article 13 defines a small estate as $50,000 or less in gross personal property, excluding property set off under EPTL 5-3.1(a). SCPA §1303 controls who may act as voluntary administrator and differs depending on whether there is a will. |
| Which documents and evidence are needed? | SE-3A is the official. As of October 17, 2026, SCPA §1304 requires the affidavit and certified death certificate, sets a $1 fee, and provides for a short certificate evidencing authority without a post-death waiting period. |
| How does the collection process work? | As of October 17, 2026, SCPA §1304 requires the affidavit and certified death certificate, sets a $1 fee, and provides for a short certificate evidencing authority without a post-death waiting period. |
New York probate
Which assets use another transfer route?
| Question or record | What applies | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Who may qualify for the simplified route? | As of October 17, 2026, Article 13 defines a small estate as $50,000 or less in gross personal property, excluding property set off under EPTL 5-3.1(a). SCPA §1303 controls who may act as voluntary administrator and differs depending on whether there is a will. | Document every eligibility fact before relying on a simplified procedure. |
| Which documents and evidence are needed? | SE-3A is the official. As of October 17, 2026, SCPA §1304 requires the affidavit and certified death certificate, sets a $1 fee, and provides for a short certificate evidencing authority without a post-death waiting period. | Match every required fact to a supporting record before signing the simplified-estate document. |
| How does the collection process work? | As of October 17, 2026, SCPA §1304 requires the affidavit and certified death certificate, sets a $1 fee, and provides for a short certificate evidencing authority without a post-death waiting period. | Record what was presented, what property was collected, the authority used, and the final transfer. |
| When does the simplified route not fit? | Article 13 does not administer a New York real-property interest, but such ownership does not by itself bar Article 13 for qualifying personal property. | Move to ordinary probate or administration when any documented condition disqualifies the simplified route. |
| Who may qualify for the simplified route? | SCPA §1303 controls who may act as voluntary administrator and differs depending on whether there is a will. Document every eligibility fact before relying on a simplified procedure. For New York, keep the controlling source, supporting record, responsible person, chosen action, and next deadline together in the estate file before relying on this answer. | Keep the supporting record, responsible person, chosen action, and next deadline together before proceeding |
New York probate
How does Alix handle the complete settlement?
Apply every current condition, not only the value limit. Count the property the statute says to count and check waiting periods, real estate, pending cases, eligible filers, and required evidence.
- How does the collection process work?Record what was presented, what property was collected, the authority used, and the final transfer.
- When does the simplified route not fit?Move to ordinary probate or administration when any documented condition disqualifies the simplified route.
- Who may qualify for the simplified route?Keep the supporting record, responsible person, chosen action, and next deadline together before proceeding
SCPA §1303 controls who may act as voluntary administrator and differs depending on whether there is a will. Document every eligibility fact before relying on a simplified procedure. For New York, keep the controlling source, supporting record, responsible person, chosen action, and next deadline together in the estate file before relying on this answer. Keep the supporting record, responsible person, chosen action, and next deadline together before proceeding
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Questions about New York probate
Who may qualify for the simplified route?
SCPA §1303 controls who may act as voluntary administrator and differs depending on whether there is a will. Document every eligibility fact before relying on a simplified procedure. For New York, keep the controlling source, supporting record, responsible person, chosen action, and next deadline together in the estate file before relying on this answer.
Which documents and evidence are needed?
SE-3A is the official. Match every required fact to a supporting record before signing the simplified-estate document. For New York, keep the controlling source, supporting record, responsible person, chosen action, and next deadline together in the estate file before relying on this answer.
How does the collection process work?
As of October 17, 2026, SCPA §1304 requires the affidavit and certified death certificate, sets a $1 fee, and provides for a short certificate evidencing authority without a post-death waiting period. For New York, keep the controlling source, supporting record, responsible person, chosen action, and next deadline together in the estate file before relying on this answer.
When does the simplified route not fit?
Article 13 does not administer a New York real-property interest, but such ownership does not by itself bar Article 13 for qualifying personal property. Move to ordinary probate or administration when any documented condition disqualifies the simplified route.
What should you gather before starting New York small-estate procedure?
Start with the death certificate, an asset list with date-of-death values, ownership and beneficiary records, debts, and any real-estate documents. Keep accepted filings separate from drafts, and record who supplied each document. This gives the court, institutions, the assigned attorney, and the Estate Settlement Specialist one reliable working file for the New York estate.
What can Alix handle for a New York estate?
Alix handles the agreed probate and estate-settlement work under one written plan. A licensed attorney from the Alix network handles included legal work. Qualified tax professionals handle included tax work. An Estate Settlement Specialist manages the accounts, property, debts, records, institutions, distributions, and family updates while you remain in control of required decisions.
Official sourcesView the 6 current court and law sources used for this page
New York court and statute pages set the rules and amounts used in this guide.
- SCPA §1301, DefinitionsOfficial rule, form, procedure, or service source
- SCPA §1302, Kinds of propertyOfficial rule, form, procedure, or service source
- Affidavit in Relation to Settlement of Estate Under Article 13Official rule, form, procedure, or service source