Bill > A05696

This bill establishes a new division of the public administrator within the office of the corporation counsel for the City of New York. The division will be led by a director appointed by the mayor and will have broad powers to manage estates of decedents, particularly in cases where there are no immediate heirs or administrators. Key provisions include the ability to take possession of and manage property of intestate (died without a will) individuals, conduct searches for potential distributees, report and investigate deaths, and handle small estates without formal letters of administration. The director can sell property, pay funeral expenses, and distribute assets with court oversight. The bill also creates an administrative board for public administrators across New York State, which will establish guidelines and uniform fee schedules for public administrator offices. The division will be responsible for depositing funds in designated bank accounts, maintaining records, and ultimately paying any commissions back to the city of New York to offset the division's operational expenses. The legislation aims to streamline and formalize the process of managing estates where no immediate family or executor is available to handle the decedent's affairs.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5696