Forms Directory

Someone died and left a will. Before that will can be carried out, the court needs to verify it's valid and officially appoint the executor named in it. This form starts that process.

A family member died with a will and you need to carry out their wishes.

When someone who lived outside New York died with a will but owned property in New York, this form asks the court to recognize the out-of-state probate.

The deceased lived outside NY but owned property here.

A court order that notifies all interested parties about the probate proceeding. It gives them a chance to appear and object before the will is admitted.

You're filing for probate and need to notify people who may have a claim.

When the original executor can no longer serve (died, resigned, or was removed), this form asks the court to appoint the next person named in the will.

The original executor is unable to continue and a successor is named in the will.

A sworn statement from a witness who watched the deceased sign their will. The court needs this to verify the will is authentic.

You're probating a will and need witness testimony to prove it's valid.

If the original will cannot be found, this affidavit presents evidence that the will existed and what it said. The court uses it to decide whether to accept a copy.

The original will is missing but you have a copy or can prove its contents.

A sworn statement identifying who the deceased's legal heirs are. Lists family members and their relationship to the deceased.

The court needs to know who the deceased's legal heirs are.

A pre-prepared witness affidavit attached to a self-proving will. If the will includes this, the witness may not need to appear in court.

The will has a self-proving affidavit and you need to submit it with the probate petition.

A sworn statement confirming that a photocopy of the will is a true and accurate copy of the original document filed with the court.

You're submitting a copy of a will and need to certify it matches the original.

Proof that you mailed the required notice of probate to all parties entitled to receive it. The court requires this before it will issue letters.

You've mailed probate notices and need to prove it to the court.

A required certification from the attorney handling the probate case, confirming compliance with court rules.

Your attorney is filing a probate petition and must certify compliance.

A checklist of all documents you need to file with your probate petition. Use this to make sure your filing is complete.

Before filing a probate petition — use to check your paperwork.

Checklist for filing an ancillary probate petition when the deceased lived outside New York.

Before filing an ancillary probate petition.

Checklist for filing administration with the will annexed (when the named executor cannot serve).

Before filing for administration c.t.a. — the will exists but the named executor can't serve.

Someone died without a will. Before you can access their accounts or sell their property, you need to be officially appointed. This form starts that process.

A family member died without a will.

When someone who lived outside New York died without a will but owned property here, this form asks the court to appoint an administrator for the NY property.

The deceased lived outside NY, had no will, but owned property in New York.

When the original administrator dies or can no longer serve, this form asks the court to appoint a replacement to finish settling the estate.

The original administrator can no longer serve and the estate isn't fully settled.

A sworn statement listing all the deceased person's legal heirs — their names, addresses, ages, and relationship to the deceased. Required in every administration proceeding.

You're filing for administration and need to identify all heirs.

Proof that you made a genuine effort to locate and notify all interested parties. Required when you can't find certain heirs or beneficiaries.

You can't find one or more heirs and need to show the court you tried.

Proof that legal papers were properly delivered to all required parties. Filed after serving citations or notices.

You've served legal papers and need to prove delivery to the court.

A sworn statement about the deceased's marital history. Required in administration proceedings to determine who has priority to serve as administrator.

Filing for administration — the court needs to verify marital status and spousal rights.

A court order notifying all interested parties about the administration proceeding and giving them a chance to appear and be heard.

You're filing for administration and need to officially notify all parties.

When an interested party agrees to the administration without needing to be formally served. Speeds up the process by avoiding the citation step.

Family members agree to the administration and don't need to be formally served.

The court's official order appointing the administrator. This is what the court signs after approving your petition.

Your administration petition has been approved — this is the court's decree.

Asks the court to waive the bond requirement for the administrator. All distributees must consent.

All heirs agree that the administrator should serve without posting a bond.

Checklist of all documents needed for an administration petition filing.

Before filing an administration petition.

Checklist for filing ancillary administration when the deceased lived outside New York.

Before filing an ancillary administration petition.

Checklist for filing a petition for successor administrator (de bonis non).

Before filing an administration d.b.n. petition.

A child inherited money or property and needs a legal guardian to manage it. This form asks the court to appoint you as that guardian.

A parent or relative died and left assets to a minor child.

When a child needs a legal guardian for custody and care — but not for property. This form asks the court to appoint you as guardian of the child's person.

A child needs a guardian for custody/care but has no significant property.

For appointing a guardian over a person with intellectual or developmental disabilities who is over 18. Covers guardianship of the person, property, or both.

An adult family member has an intellectual disability and needs a legal guardian.

Before the court appoints anyone as a guardian, it requires a background check. This form gives permission to run that check. Required with every guardianship petition.

You're filing a guardianship petition — this form is always required.

Appoints or confirms a standby guardian for a person with intellectual disabilities, in case the current guardian becomes unable to serve.

You're the current 17-A guardian and want to designate a backup.

Standard court orders used in guardianship cases — for joint control of funds, bond requirements, and closing guardianship accounts.

The court is issuing orders related to your guardianship case.

Annual report filed by guardians who were not required to post a bond. Shows how the child's money was managed during the year.

You're a non-bonded guardian and it's time for your annual accounting.

Annual report filed by guardians who posted a bond. Shows income, expenses, and current balance of the child's property.

You're a bonded guardian and it's time for your annual accounting.

Asks the court for permission to withdraw money from the child's guardianship account for their support, education, or maintenance.

You need to use the child's money for their support or education expenses.

The court order approving the withdrawal of funds from the child's guardianship account.

The court has approved your withdrawal petition — this is the signed order.

When the child turns 18, this form asks the court to close the guardianship account and release the remaining funds to them.

The child has turned 18 and you need to close out the guardianship.

Filed by the guardian to close out their guardianship responsibilities and get a final accounting approved by the court.

The guardianship is ending and you need court approval to close the account.

A release signed by the former infant (now adult) confirming they received all guardianship funds and releasing the guardian from liability.

The child is now an adult and has received all their guardianship funds.

Designates a standby guardian who can step in immediately if the current parent or guardian becomes incapacitated or dies.

You want to name someone who can immediately care for your child if something happens to you.

A written designation of a standby guardian, to be filed with the court. This is the document that officially names your chosen standby.

You're filing a standby guardianship and need to formally designate your chosen person.

Checklist and information sheet for guardianship of person only proceedings.

Before filing a G-2A guardianship petition.

Checklist and information sheet for guardianship of person and/or property proceedings.

Before filing a G-2B guardianship petition.

Checklist for standby guardianship proceedings under SCPA 1726.

Before filing a standby guardianship petition.

Checklist for 17-A guardianship proceedings for intellectually disabled persons.

Before filing a 17-A guardianship petition.

Checklist for confirming or appointing a standby guardian under Article 17-A.

Before filing a 17-A standby or confirmation guardianship petition.

If the estate is worth $50,000 or less, you may not need full probate. This simpler form lets you collect assets without going to court. Faster and cheaper.

Someone died with limited assets (under $50K).

If you already filed SE-3A but need to add assets or correct information, this amended version updates the original filing.

You already filed SE-3A but discovered additional assets or made an error.

When someone who has priority to serve as voluntary administrator wants to step aside and let someone else handle it.

You have priority to be the voluntary administrator but want someone else to do it.

The final accounting for a small estate — shows what assets were collected, what debts were paid, and how the remaining funds were distributed.

You've settled the small estate and need to file the final report.

Checklist of documents needed for a small estate voluntary administration filing.

Before filing a small estate affidavit (SE-3A).

When someone dies owning real estate in New York, the state places a tax lien on it. That lien must be released before the property can be sold. Your title company requires this at closing.

Selling or transferring real estate from an estate.

Required when an estate may be subject to NY estate tax. Reports the value of all assets and calculates any tax owed. Filed with the ET-117.

The estate you're administering may exceed the NY exemption amount.

Step-by-step instructions for completing the ET-85 Estate Tax Certification form.

You're filling out the ET-85 and need guidance.

Required when the deceased was not a resident of New York. Establishes where they were legally domiciled at the time of death.

The deceased lived outside New York but owned property here.

The full estate tax return for estates exceeding the New York State exemption. Required for deaths on or after January 1, 2019.

The estate exceeds the NY exemption and a full tax return is required.

Authorizes someone (usually an attorney or accountant) to act on behalf of the estate for tax matters with the NY Department of Taxation.

You want an attorney or accountant to handle estate tax filings on your behalf.

Required when selling New York real estate on behalf of an estate. This form calculates and submits the estimated income tax payment due at closing.

You're selling estate property in New York and need to pay estimated taxes at closing.

Asks the court to formally approve the administrator's accounting — showing how estate funds were collected, spent, and distributed.

You're finishing an administration and need court approval of your accounting.

Asks the court to formally approve the trustee's accounting of a trust.

You're a trustee and need court approval of your trust accounting.

Forces a fiduciary (executor, administrator, or trustee) to file an accounting with the court when they haven't done so voluntarily.

The executor or administrator hasn't filed an accounting and beneficiaries want one.

A detailed list of everything the deceased owned at the time of death — bank accounts, property, investments, personal belongings, and their values.

You've been appointed and need to catalog all estate assets for the court.

A required inventory of any firearms owned by the deceased. Must be filed within 15 days of appointment as executor or administrator.

The deceased owned firearms — you must report them to the court within 15 days.

Checklist for filing a petition for judicial settlement of an estate account.

Before filing a judicial settlement petition.

Checklist for filing an informal accounting with receipts and releases from all beneficiaries.

All beneficiaries agree and you want to settle without formal judicial review.

Checklist for filing a compulsory accounting petition (SCPA 2205).

Before filing a petition to compel an accounting.

A sworn statement confirming that a power of attorney is still valid and has not been revoked. Often required by banks and title companies.

A bank or institution needs proof that the power of attorney is still active.

Authorizes a third party to obtain court records or information about a case on your behalf.

Someone else needs to pick up documents or get information from the court for you.

Filed by an attorney to formally enter a case. Tells the court and all parties that an attorney is now representing someone in the proceeding.

An attorney is entering the case to represent an interested party.

A draft court order submitted for the judge's signature. Used for routine matters where a hearing may not be required.

Your attorney needs to submit a proposed order for the judge to sign.