Bronx County Surrogate’s Court handles every estate matter — from filing a Petition for Probate in a Pelham Bay family home to administering a Hunts Point business interest. Families across Mott Haven, Riverdale, and Fordham face the same court calendar, the same citation requirements, and the same statutory deadlines. Russell Morgan, Esq. guides executors and distributees through each stage at Bronx County Surrogate’s Court, where SCPA §1414 governs the issuance of Letters Testamentary and SCPA §1412 authorizes Preliminary Letters Testamentary for urgent interim needs.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
| Topic | What We Cover |
|---|---|
| Court filing | Petition for Probate, original will, certified death certificate |
| Jurisdiction | Waiver/consent or citation to Bronx County distributees |
| Timeline | Typically 3–6 months uncontested |
| Attorney fee range | ~$3,000–$10,000 depending on complexity |
| Court filing fees | Graduated by estate value per SCPA §2402 — confirm exact amount with counsel |
| Small estates | Voluntary administration affidavit under SCPA Article 13 (excludes real property) |
| NY estate tax 2026 | Exclusion $7,350,000; cliff at $7,717,500 (tax.ny.gov) |
Questions about a contested proceeding or your duties as executor? Review our Executor Duties guide and our Surrogate’s Court overview before your call.
Book a 30-Minute Consultation →
Have a question about your estate?
Talk it through with Russel Morgan — free 30-minute consult.
Further reading from Morgan Legal Group: .