Probate and Estate Administration, Surrogate's Court

Areas of Practice

Whenever someone dies with assets still in his or her own name, those assets have to be probated. But what is probate?

Probate is an ancient legal procedure whose chief purpose is to change the title of assets owned by a deceased person into the names of his or her heirs.

Everyone owns assets of some kind (bank accounts, automobiles, stocks and bonds) and title is generally held in the person's individual name. When the person dies, those assets cannot be transferred without the name on the title being changed. The probate court (Monroe County Surrogate's Court) is essentially the only institution authorized to change the title of assets owned by a deceased person.

At Weinstein & Randisi, we try to make this often difficult process as painless a transition as possible. Although probate is a time-consuming and often costly process, we work with our clients to be responsive and keep you up to date on the status of your matter.