Bill > A06280

This bill amends the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act to modify the order of priority for selecting a voluntary administrator when someone dies without a will (intestate). Currently, the right to act as a voluntary administrator is given first to the surviving spouse, and then to other close relatives. The proposed changes expand the list of potential administrators to include the fiduciary of a deceased distributee (someone entitled to inherit) and a competent adult who is not a distributee, but only if all competent adult distributees file consent. The bill maintains the existing hierarchy of potential administrators, with the spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, and other relatives being considered before the county's chief fiscal officer. If no eligible person from these categories is willing or available to act, the chief fiscal officer can then serve as the voluntary administrator. The changes aim to provide more flexibility in selecting an administrator for an estate while maintaining a clear order of preference based on familial relationships.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6280