When a loved one passes in Rochester — whether in Brighton, Greece, Irondequoit, or the city’s East Side — their estate must usually be settled through the Monroe County Surrogate’s Court. The Surrogate’s Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over probate proceedings, guardianships, and estate administration for all Monroe County residents under New York’s Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (SCPA) and Estates, Powers and Trusts Law (EPTL).
At Morgan Legal Group, attorney Russel Morgan, Esq. has helped New York families navigate these proceedings with clarity and efficiency. Our practice treats every Rochester estate — modest or substantial — with the same rigorous attention to New York law.
Who We Are and What We Do
Morgan Legal Group is a New York estate law firm focused exclusively on probate, estate administration, and Surrogate’s Court practice. We represent executors, administrators, beneficiaries, and objectants before the Monroe County Surrogate’s Court and courts throughout New York State.
Our Rochester clients come to us at every stage of the process:
- Petition preparation and filing — assembling the Petition for Probate, original will, and certified death certificate required to open a proceeding under SCPA §1414
- Jurisdiction over distributees — obtaining waivers and consents or, where necessary, pursuing the citation process to establish court authority over all interested parties
- Preliminary Letters Testamentary — when an estate cannot wait, SCPA §1412 authorizes interim executor authority while the full probate petition is pending
- Full estate administration — collecting assets, satisfying debts and claims, filing New York estate tax returns where applicable, and distributing to beneficiaries under the decree
- Small estate matters — guiding families through SCPA Article 13 voluntary administration by affidavit when the estate qualifies (note: real property is generally excluded)
- Contested proceedings — representing clients when a will is challenged or disputes arise among distributees; see our contested probate page for details
Key Facts for Monroe County Estates in 2026
| Topic | What You Should Know |
|---|---|
| Governing law | SCPA + EPTL (New York State) |
| Court | Monroe County Surrogate’s Court |
| Authority granted | Letters Testamentary (SCPA §1414) |
| Interim authority | Preliminary Letters Testamentary (SCPA §1412) |
| Typical uncontested timeline | 3 – 6 months |
| Typical attorney fee range | $3,000 – $10,000 (varies by complexity) |
| Court filing fee | Graduated by estate value (SCPA §2402) — confirm current schedule with the court or counsel |
| NY estate tax exclusion (2026) | $7,350,000 — estates exceeding the 105% cliff ($7,717,500) owe tax on the full value |
| Small estate threshold | SCPA Article 13 affidavit procedure; real property generally excluded |
For authoritative court information, see nycourts.gov and current tax rates at tax.ny.gov.
Why Rochester Families Choose Morgan Legal Group
Monroe County’s Surrogate’s Court has its own local practices, filing expectations, and return-date calendars. Familiarity with those particulars — not just the statutes — is what separates efficient administration from costly delays. Russel Morgan, Esq. brings that court-specific knowledge to every file.
Whether you need a probate overview, guidance on your executor duties, help at the Surrogate’s Court, or assistance with a small estate affidavit, our team is ready to help.
Schedule a 30-minute consultation with Russel Morgan, Esq.: calendly.com/russel-morgan/30min
Further reading from Morgan Legal Group: when you should bring in a probate attorney.