Do I have to probate a will in New York?

When a person dies with a will, the firm’s probate page says the will is probated in Surrogate’s Court and the proceeds go to the beneficiaries named in it. When there is no will, the estate goes through administration, which the firm describes as costly and lengthy.

If the estate has no will and the probatable assets are $50,000 or less, the firm’s article says a small estate administration petition can be filed instead. Above that, the full proceeding is required.