Bronx County’s Court

THE LATEST INFORMATION ON BRONX COUNTY’s SURROGATE’S COURT

Overview

Bronx County – 718-618-1894; Bronx-Surrogate@nycourts.gov Hon. Nelida Malavé-Gonzalez Chief Clerk 12th Judicial District 851 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451 Elix R. Madera-Fliegelman 718-618-2300

Important Notice

To maintain and increase access to the Bronx County Surrogate’s Court while taking all appropriate measures to combat the spread of the COVD-19 virus, the following procedures & protocols have been implemented, effective immediately

The Surrogate’s Court hears cases involving the affairs (estate) of a decedent (person who passed away). The Surrogate’s Court authorizes either an Administrator or an Executor to handle an estate and distribute the money, property, or other asset according to the law or according to the Will, if one was left by the person who passed away. The Surrogate’s Court also oversees Adoptions and matters when someone is asking to become the Guardian of the property of an infant (before the age of 18) or the Guardian of a person who became intellectually or developmentally disabled before age twenty-two (22) or suffered a traumatic brain injury at any age.

Office Info

Address: 851 Grand Concourse 3rd Floor Bronx, NY 10451 Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Surrogate Judge Hon. Nelida Malavé-Gonzalez Chief Clerk Elix R. Madera-Fliegelman

Departments

Administration: 718-618-2370 contact this Department for Decedents without a will who leave real and/or personal property having a value of more than $50,000 Calendar Clerk: 718-618-2373 Cashier: 718-618-2396 (Certificates, Certifications, and Record Searches) Guardian: 718-618-2380 (SCPA Article 17 – Infant; SCPA Article 17A Applications; and Guardianship Annual Accountings) DIY Guardianship Article 17A Petition Program For pro-se applications SCPA Article 17A for guardianship of person and property. Inventory of Assets: 718-618-2385 (To be filed no later than 9 months of the date letters issued to fiduciary) Miscellaneous & Accounting: 718-618-2375 (Estate and Trust Accountings and Proceedings to Compromise Actions; Revoke Letters; Compel Fiduciaries to Account, Establish Supplemental needs Trust, as well as SCPA Article 21 Miscellaneous Proceedings) Probate: 718-618-2365 contact this Department for Decedents with a will who leave real and/or personal property having a value of more than $50,000; this Department also handles requests to open a safe deposit box Small Estate: 718-618-2309 (Decedents with a will or without a will leaving personal property with a value of less than $50,000 in his or her name only) DIY Small Estate Affidavit Program Pro-se applications for voluntary administration with or without a will.

Mission Statement

The primary goal of Bronx County Surrogate’s Court is to fulfill its constitutional and statutory mandates regarding decedents’ estates, trusts and guardianships in an efficient and professional manner for all court users. It is the mission of Bronx County Surrogate’s Court to continue its long tradition of serving all court users in a professional and respectful manner, bearing in mind they may have recently experienced the loss of a loved one or require assistance for a special needs family member. Our Surrogate, the Honorable Nelida Malavé-Gonzalez , recognizes the efforts of the court’s employees and, through her leadership, resolves to foster the staff’s dedication and professionalism.

Help Center for Unrepresented Court Users

The Surrogate’s Court Help Center, under the leadership of the Honorable Nelida Malavé-Gonzalez, Surrogate of Bronx County, assists self-represented parties so they can have clear and unencumbered access to the Court. The Help Center provides basic information on procedural matters, court rules and statutes. Some forms and informational brochures are also available. Under no circumstances can the office provide you with legal advice. The Help Center may provide information or explain court procedures and policies. Additionally, the office may identify different options available to a party. The Help Center cannot advise a self-represented party whether to start a case, recommend which process or procedure to use or do legal research for you. The office may provide you with available public resources throughout New York City. The Help Center may not assist you in filling out these forms. You must do your own legal research to determine the legal content of the forms or consult with an attorney if you have specific legal questions. Selected forms & instructions are available at http://ww2.nycourts.gov/forms/surrogates/index.shtml Note: The New York State Unified Court System offers a web site for Do-It-Yourself forms for Small Estates (under $50,000) and Guardianship (17A) matters at http://nycourts.gov/courthelp/. For frequently asked questions about NYC Surrogate’s court, go to https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/surrogates/faqs.shtml Help Center Contact Info: E-mail: bxsurrhelpctr@nycourts.gov English: (718) 618-1722 Español: (718) 618-1744

Resources Available to Filers of this Court

Birth, Death, Marriage & Divorce Records – New York State Department of Health (ny.gov) Bronx County Public Administrator (bxcountypa.com): for cases where there is no next of kin available or no one qualifies to file Bronx Property Clerk’s Office, 215 East 161st Street, Room C27: for items held by NYPD, Property Invoice to be provided to Court County Clerk’s Office, 851 Grand Concourse, Room 118: Notary is available, at no charge to witness your signing of the documents required in this Court Certificate of Relief from Disabilities (nycourts.gov): to remove barrier to becoming an Administrator or Executor COVID-19 Funeral Assistance (FEMA.gov): Federal Funeral Assistance Help Center (nycourts.gov) for assistance in other Courts such as: Civil Supreme (including Matrimonial), NYC Civil Court, Small Claims Court, NYC Housing Court, Family Court, Integrated Domestic Violence Court, NYS Court of Claims Legal Glossary (nycourts.gov): words commonly used in Court M-860W_FILLABLE (nyc.gov): HRA Burial Assistance Application Office of Chief Medical Examiner (nyc.gov): Reports of Death, Investigations/Forensics Planning & Estates Law Project (City Bar Justice Center): Guidance on Surrogate Court Forms & Estate Planning from the NYC Bar Association Surrogate’s Court DIY Forms (nycourts.gov): Do-It-Yourself forms (complete a questionnaire, print, & submit original signed notarized document with an Original Death Certificate when filing) Has the Police Dept. sealed your family member’s Bronx residence?
Robert Friedman

Robert Friedman

NY Probate Attorney

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