What to Do When Someone Dies in Staten Island, New York
Probate in Richmond County (Staten Island) runs through the Surrogate's Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Richmond County (Staten Island), settling their estate runs through the Surrogate's Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
Probate Court Record
Surrogate's Court
Richmond County (Staten Island) · 13th Judicial District
Address
18 Richmond Terrace, Room 201Staten Island, NY 10301
Paper filing availableE-filing optionalSelf-filing allowed
Accepted paymentCredit card. Credit card via NYSCEF (no service fee to use NYSCEF) or payment at the court. A filing is not complete until the fee is paid. Fees calculated under SCPA § 2402.
How Probate Works in Richmond County (Staten Island)
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Staten Island, probate runs through the Surrogate's Court at 18 Richmond Terrace, Room 201, Staten Island. The court sits in the 13th Judicial District.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under New York intestacy law when there is no will.
Most New York estates take 9 months to 15 months to move through this process. The 7 monthsSCPA § 1802Verified Sep 8, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
What Probate Costs in Richmond County (Staten Island)
What probate costs in Richmond County (Staten Island), New York comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Surrogate's Court at 18 Richmond Terrace, Room 201, Staten Island. The court is part of the 13th Judicial District.
Probate matters are handled through General Clerks Office, Guardianship, Help Center, and Calendars/Motions/Law Dept. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Richmond County (Staten Island) runs a probate self-help center, which is the single biggest cost-saver for families who can self-file. Staff can walk you through the paperwork and explain procedures, though they cannot give legal advice on your specific case. Call 718-675-8508.
New York charges $45 - $1,250 (based on estate value)N.Y. SCPA § 2402(1), (2), (7)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
The Surrogate's Court accepts e-filing (https://iappscontent.courts.state.ny.us/NYSCEF/live/protocols/surrogates/protocolRichmond.pdf). Paper filing remains available for self-represented filers.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in New York are negotiated, typically 2.5%SCPA § 2110 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 4%SCPA § 2110 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is also statutory in New York. Family executors who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%SCPA §§ 710, 801, 805Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in New York typically runs 9 months to 15 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
How to File Probate at the Surrogate's Court
Probate documents in Richmond County (Staten Island) can be filed in person at the Surrogate's Court, by mail, or electronically. Most families handling probate themselves prefer paper filing, though e-filing is available. The court sits in the 13th Judicial District.
Filings here are routed through General Clerks Office, Guardianship, Help Center, and Calendars/Motions/Law Dept. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.
E-Filing Also Available
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
•Guardianship proceedings (not permitted via e-filing)
•Adoption proceedings (not permitted via e-filing)
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Surrogate's Court is realistic. Richmond County (Staten Island) has a self-help center that assists people filing without an attorney.
Credit card. Credit card via NYSCEF (no service fee to use NYSCEF) or payment at the court. A filing is not complete until the fee is paid. Fees calculated under SCPA § 2402.
What to Bring
To file at the Surrogate's Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Transferring Property in Richmond County (Staten Island)
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Clerk.
Deeds and other real property documents for Richmond County (Staten Island) are recorded with the County Clerk, led by County Clerk Hon. Stephen J. Fiala, at 130 Stuyvesant Place, 2nd Floor, Staten Island, NY 10301. Phone: (718) 675-7700. Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
The County Clerk charges $32 per document plus $2 for every page.
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Richmond County (Staten Island) · County Clerk · Hon. Stephen J. Fiala
Address
130 Stuyvesant Place, 2nd FloorStaten Island, NY 10301
Probate Attorneys Serving Richmond County (Staten Island)
New York uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Richmond County (Staten Island) — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.
Probate attorney fees in New York are based on reasonable compensation — typically 2.5%SCPA § 2110 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 4%SCPA § 2110 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Richmond County (Staten Island) firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Surrogate's Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Brooklyn (Kings County) practice led by Theodore Alatsas, working the Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, New York and Nassau County Surrogate's Courts for nearly 30 years. Handles probate, administration proceedings, and trust administration, plus wills and trusts, Medicaid and long-term care planning, and asset protection. Runs estate planning workshops.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more
College Point (Queens) firm with dedicated pages for will probate, estate administration, lost-will hearings, and spousal and beneficiary-rights disputes, taking executors from validating the will through distributing what is left, and petitioning the Surrogate's Court to admit a copy when the original will cannot be found. Also drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and testamentary guardian appointments for minor children. Serves all five New York City boroughs plus Nassau and Suffolk, and offers a free consultation and case evaluation on probate matters.
Hylan Boulevard firm serving Richmond County families through the Richmond County Surrogate's Court at 18 Richmond Terrace. Files wills with the court, identifies and distributes estate assets, handles debts and tax obligations, and litigates will contests, executor misconduct and trustee breach-of-duty claims. Also brings Article 81 and Article 17-A guardianship petitions when no plan was in place.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 10 more
Brooklyn firm led by Pinni Bohm with a second office in Times Square, Manhattan. Petitions the New York City Surrogate's Courts for Letters Testamentary and Letters of Administration, advises executors and administrators on their duties, oversees distributions to beneficiaries and heirs, and negotiates with estate creditors. Also litigates will and trust contests, spousal right-of-election disputes, and fiduciary-misconduct claims.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more
Office
1301 Coney Island Avenue, Suite 2ABrooklyn, NY 11230
Bay Ridge (Brooklyn) estate and elder law firm with four further offices in Manhattan, Bayside, Middle Village and Staten Island. For executors it files the original will, contacts next of kin, collects assets and prepares income and estate tax returns, and it litigates will contests, contested accountings and contested deed transfers in Surrogate's Court. Also handles wills and trusts, special needs trusts, estate tax and capital-gains planning, and Medicaid and long-term-care planning; the initial consultation is complimentary.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 5 more
Corporate Park of Staten Island firm serving Richmond County executors through the Richmond County Surrogate's Court. Guides executors past the mistakes that create personal liability — misattributed assets, failure to give creditors proper notice, improper distributions — and litigates will contests, contested probate and breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims, preferring negotiation to keep estate disputes out of the public record.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 7 more
Office
1200 South Avenue, Suite 201Staten Island, NY 10314
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Living trust assets, and accounts with a named beneficiary or surviving joint owner. These skip probate; some states charge the court fee only on what remains.
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