Probate in Washington County, New York
When someone who lived in Washington County dies, probate is handled by the county probate court. This page points you to that court and summarizes the New York rules that apply — the small-estate threshold, the key deadlines, and the instruments New York uses. For your own dates and numbers, use the free calculators linked below.
Where to file
Probate is filed in the county where the person who died last lived. If that was Washington County, this is the court — local forms, e-filing rules, and scheduling vary by county, so confirm with the county probate court. If they last lived in a different county of the same state, the case belongs in that county’s court instead, and one appointment there covers property across the state. If they last lived in another state, the main case belongs there, and property in Washington County generally needs a second, smaller case of its own here (commonly called ancillary probate) — an attorney can confirm which applies.
Washington County Surrogate's Court, New YorkDoes this estate need full probate?
New York lets smaller estates skip full probate using the Voluntary/Small Estate Administration (SCPA Article 13) for estates up to $50,000.
Check your estate Source — N.Y. SCPA §1301 ($50k personal property, excl. real property)Key probate deadlines in New York
- Lodge the will with the court
- No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court.
- File the estate inventory
- 6 months after appointment as personal representative
- Creditor-claim period closes
- 7 months after appointment as personal representative
Good to know in New York
- The court empowers the personal representative with Letters Testamentary / Letters of Administration.
- The estate closes with the petition for judicial settlement of the account.
- New York estate tax return (ET-706) due 9 months after death. Exemption ~$6.94M (2024) with a "cliff" above 105% of the exemption. No NY inheritance tax.
Other counties in New York
If the person who died last lived in a different county in New York, start with that county instead — see all New York counties. A few others:
Listed alphabetically, not by distance. A check marks a county with a verified court link.
Talk it through, or find a local pro
Ask the guide a question about probate in Washington County, or browse vetted probate attorneys and real-estate advisors who work in New York.
Selling an inherited home? Estimate the tax with the capital-gains calculator. Just getting started? Print the New York after-a-death checklist. Want the background? Read about how probate actually works or the small-estate route.