Probate and Estate Administration on Long Island
If someone in your family has died, you are being asked to make decisions you have never made before. Here is what happens next, in order.
- Filing in Nassau Surrogate’s Court in Mineola or Suffolk Surrogate’s Court in Riverhead
- Probate where there is a will, administration where there is not
- Guidance for executors and administrators on what you are required to do
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We reply the same business day
The order things happen in
Nothing here needs to be done today. Most of it has weeks of runway, and knowing the sequence tends to make it feel smaller.
Find out whether court is needed at all
Not every estate requires a full probate. Assets held jointly, accounts with a named beneficiary, and property in a trust generally pass outside the process. Depending on what the person owned and how it was titled, a smaller estate may qualify for a simplified proceeding. The first thing we do is work out which category you are in.
Locate the will and identify who must be notified
If there is a will, the named executor petitions the court. If there is no will, a close relative petitions to be appointed administrator instead. Either way New York requires that certain relatives be given notice, and getting that list right early avoids delays later.
Petition the Surrogate’s Court
The petition is filed in the county where the person lived. For Nassau that is the Surrogate’s Court in Mineola. For Suffolk it is Riverhead. We prepare and submit the petition to open probate and obtain Letters Testamentary, or Letters of Administration where there was no will. Those letters are what give you legal authority to act.
Collect assets, settle debts, then distribute
We locate, identify and secure the estate assets, including accounts that get overlooked, and help you open and manage an estate account to pay outstanding expenses. We coordinate with tax professionals so the required returns are filed accurately and on time. Distribution to the heirs is the final stage, once debts and taxes are settled.
What is actually being asked of you
Being named executor is a legal role with duties attached. Most people accept it without being told what it involves.
You answer to the beneficiaries
An executor owes a fiduciary duty. Acting in good faith is not quite the same as acting correctly, and the difference matters if anyone objects.
Order of payment matters
Debts and taxes come before beneficiaries, in a statutory order. Paying the wrong person first can leave you personally exposed.
You have to account for it
You are expected to keep records of everything that came in and everything that went out, and to be able to show them.
You can decline
Nobody is required to serve. If you do not want the role, there is a process for renouncing it and letting someone else be appointed.
Why families call us for this
Handled with care
Clients who came to us after losing someone told us the compassion and the attention to detail mattered as much as the filings.
Fees in writing
Agreed before work starts, so you are not managing an unknown legal bill on top of everything else.
You are told what to expect
What has to happen, roughly how long each stage takes, and what you personally need to do next.
We handle the court
The petition, the notices, and the correspondence with Surrogate’s Court are ours to deal with, not yours.
16+ Google reviews
“My parents recently decided it was time to create their estate plan, and we are so glad they chose Jason. He explained everything clearly, step by step, and made the entire process easy to understand. He also took the time to explain to my siblings and me how our future inheritance will be protected, which gave our whole family peace of mind.”
Google review
“My husband and I knew we needed a will after having our first child, but we had no idea where to start. The team made everything easy to understand and helped us think through decisions we had not even considered, like guardianship and protecting our children. We never felt rushed, and every question was answered with patience.”
Google review
“After losing a family member, the last thing we wanted was to feel overwhelmed by legal matters. This firm handled our probate needs with compassion and attention to detail. We truly appreciated their support.”
Google review
“I wanted to protect myself and my family but knew nothing about trusts. Mr Breit explained everything in plain language, he was thorough and patient without making me feel rushed.”
Google review
“One thing I really appreciated was how transparent they were. The fees were agreed to in writing before any work started, so I never had to worry about surprise bills whenever I called with questions.”
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“We are so thankful we found a firm that truly understands planning for families with special needs. It is comforting to know our loved one with special needs has a plan in place for the future.”
Google review
“We first completed our estate plan a few years ago and recently went back because our family situation changed. They reviewed everything with us and made updating our plan incredibly easy. It is comforting knowing we have a law firm we can continue to rely on instead of starting over somewhere else every few years.”
Google review
“Jason and Sarah are very professional and work in a timely and efficient manner. Jason is well versed in his area of expertise, and he takes the time to listen to your needs and explain legalese in layman’s terms. He also had good ideas we had not thought of. Highly recommended.”
Google review
“I was not sure where to start with estate planning, but the team made the process much less intimidating than I expected. They were professional, responsive, and incredibly thorough. I especially like that they encourage clients to come back for plan reviews as life changes.”
Google review
“I was referred to this firm by someone I trust, and now I understand why they spoke so highly of them. The entire experience was exceptional. Jason and Sarah kept me updated throughout the process. They were knowledgeable, caring, and truly committed to helping families protect what matters most.”
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“Jason took the time to really help me understand the purpose of creating an estate plan and why it matters. Thanks to him, I now have peace of mind knowing my family will be taken care of.”
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“Everyone in the office made me feel like I mattered. I never felt like I was just another appointment on the calendar. You can tell they care about building relationships with their clients, and that is not something you find often anymore.”
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“Jason and his team did an unbelievable job with my family estate planning. I highly recommend him. Courteous, professional, diligent and timely.”
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“Guy knows what he is talking about. He gets back to you quickly with answers.”
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Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every matter is different and the outcome of any particular matter depends on its own facts.
Jason R. Breit, Esq.
Jason built this practice around a view he formed early: a lot of legal work is either set up to escalate a fight or is purely transactional, and neither one serves a family trying to make a decision.
So the process here starts with education. Clients get walked through what they own, who depends on them, and what the law would do by default if nothing were in place. From there they choose. The point is not to produce documents. It is to make sure the documents work when the family needs them.
Alongside the law practice Jason works as a Financial Advisor, which means beneficiary designations, account titling, and the tax side get considered in the same conversation instead of being left to someone else.
- Admitted in New York, 2007
- J.D., Roger Williams School of Law
- MBA, Dowling College Townsend School of Business
- B.A., Hamilton College
- RICP, Retirement Income Certified Professional
- CLTC, Certified in Long Term Care
Probate questions
Melville, minutes from the Nassau line
Jason R. Breit, Esq., P.C.
Melville, New York 11747
Saturday, 9am to 2pm
Sunday, closed
You do not have to work out the order of this yourself
One call and you will know whether court is even required, what has to happen first, and what it involves. No cost and no obligation.