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What to Do When Someone Dies in New York

First steps after a death in New York depend on whether there is a will, whether there is solely owned real property, and whether personal property is $50,000 or less.

Get Death Certificates
Sources

If You Are the Named Executor in New York

If you are the named executor, personal representative, or the family member organizing a New York estate, start with the records and court tasks below at a steady pace. Each step links to its full instructions in the timeline.

  1. Order death certificates from the correct vital records office
  2. Locate the original will if one exists
  3. Identify probate and nonprobate assets
  4. Check whether the estate may qualify for voluntary administration
  5. Secure property and mail

Timeline of Tasks

Start with the immediate tasks. Open each later phase as you reach it.

Immediately

Order death certificates from the correct vital records office
Confirm this New York task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.
Locate the original will if one exists
Confirm this New York task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.
Identify probate and nonprobate assets
Confirm this New York task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.
Check whether the estate may qualify for voluntary administration
Confirm this New York task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.

First Week

Secure property and mail
Confirm this New York task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.
Notify close institutions as needed
Confirm this New York task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.
Review funeral bill and immediate expenses
Confirm this New York task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.
Avoid distributing assets before authority is clear
Confirm this New York task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.

First Month

Choose the Surrogate's Court county based on decedent domicile
Confirm this New York task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.
Prepare probate, administration, or voluntary administration papers
Confirm this New York task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.
Gather asset values and beneficiary/distributee information
Confirm this New York task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.

Ongoing

Track creditor issues
Confirm this New York task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.
Manage estate account activity only after proper authority
Confirm this New York task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.
Prepare tax filings if required
Confirm this New York task against the court, agency, or asset holder handling that part of the estate.

Who to Notify

Social Security Administration
Call 1-800-772-1213
Employer / HR Department
Phone call or email
Banks & Credit Unions
Visit branch with death certificate
Insurance Companies
Call policy customer service
Credit Card Companies
Call number on card
Utility Companies
Call to transfer or cancel
DMV / Vehicle Registration
Visit in person or online
Post Office
Submit change of address form

Documents to Gather

Death Certificates

Many estates start with 10-15 certified copies because banks, insurers, property-transfer contacts, and agencies may ask for them.

How to get death certificates →

Will & Trust Documents

Look in safe deposit boxes, home safes, attorney files, and records folders.

Probate guide →

Financial Statements

Bank statements, investment accounts, retirement accounts, and recent tax returns.

Asset transfer guide →

There is no rush on this. When you are ready, a short assessment can help you see whether probate is needed.

What Comes Next?

After the first 30 days, you may need to start probate or transfer assets. The New York probate guide walks through what usually comes next.

Read the New York Probate Guide

More New York Resources

Explore the rest of the New York probate hub.

Do I need probate?4 pages
Costs and money5 pages
File for probate2 pages
Transfer assets4 pages
Learn and reference5 pages