Greenburgh Probate Court Records

Greenburgh probate court records are filed at the Westchester County Surrogate's Court in White Plains. The town of Greenburgh is one of the larger communities in Westchester County, and all estate cases for its residents are handled at the county level. You can search many records online at no cost through the state's free search tool. For older files, certified copies, or in-person research, the courthouse is at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in White Plains. The court processes wills, intestate estate administration, guardianship filings, and trust cases for all Westchester County residents.

Westchester County Surrogate's Court

Greenburgh residents file all probate matters at the Westchester County Surrogate's Court. The court is in White Plains, just a short drive from most parts of Greenburgh. It has jurisdiction over probate of wills, estate administration, guardianship proceedings, trust matters, and adoptions for the entire county. Westchester is part of the 9th Judicial District.

Westchester County was established in 1683 as one of the original counties of New York. The Surrogate's Court has maintained probate records for well over 200 years. The volume of cases is high because Westchester is one of the most populated counties in the state. The court runs efficient systems to manage this workload, including mandatory e-filing for attorney-represented cases.

The court staff can answer procedural questions but cannot give legal advice. They can explain what forms you need, where to file, and what fees apply. If you need legal guidance, Westchester County has several legal aid organizations and bar association referral programs.

How to Search Greenburgh Probate Court Records

Use WebSurrogate to search Westchester County estate records online. This is a free state tool. You can look up cases by the name of the person who died or by file number. The system shows case details and documents filed since February 19, 2014.

For documents from before that date, you will need to go to the courthouse in White Plains. Public access computers there let you browse unrestricted older records. Some historical files are on microfilm or microfiche. Court staff can point you to the right resources during business hours.

Privacy rules limit what is available. Adoption records are permanently sealed. Guardianship files, death certificates filed with the court, estate tax returns from certain years, and documents containing social security numbers are restricted. These protections came into effect under Uniform Rule 207.64 in February 2014.

To search effectively, try to have:

• The deceased person's full legal name
• Date of death or approximate year
• File number (if you know it)

Greenburgh Probate Filing Fees

Fees at Westchester County Surrogate's Court follow the statewide schedule in SCPA Article 24. Estates under $10,000 cost $45 to file. Between $10,000 and $20,000, it is $75. The fee rises with estate value, reaching $1,250 for estates at $500,000 or more. The court fee page has the full breakdown.

Certified copies cost $6 per page. Searching a record under 25 years old is $30. Records over 25 years cost $90 to search. If objections are filed under SCPA 1410, the fee is $150. Jury trial demands cost $150. Notes of issue are $45. Bond filings run $20 to $30.

Small estates worth $50,000 or less may qualify for voluntary administration. This is a simpler process with lower fees. For estates under $10,000, the voluntary administration fee is just $45.

Estate Proceedings for Greenburgh Residents

Probate is the process for estates with a will. The executor named in the will files a petition and the original will with the court. The court checks it against the requirements in SCPA Article 4. If approved, the executor gets letters testamentary.

Administration is for cases without a will. The court appoints an administrator. The order of priority starts with the surviving spouse, then children, then parents and other relatives. The administrator gets letters of administration to manage and distribute estate assets.

Guardianship cases for minors and incapacitated adults go through this court. Trust proceedings, accounting matters, wrongful death claims, and adoption cases also fall under the Surrogate's Court jurisdiction. Adoption records are always sealed.

Historical Records in Westchester County

Westchester County has probate records dating back to the late 1600s. The Surrogate's Court in White Plains keeps indexed files going back centuries. FamilySearch has microfilmed Westchester County probate records covering wills, letters of administration, and guardianship matters from the 1700s and 1800s.

One thing to know: parts of Westchester County were annexed by New York City in 1895, forming what is now the Bronx. If you are researching ancestors who lived in those areas before 1895, their probate records may be in Westchester County rather than the Bronx. The New York State Archives also holds colonial wills from before 1787 that may cover Greenburgh families from that early period.

Electronic Filing for Greenburgh Cases

Westchester County uses NYSCEF for electronic filing. If you have a lawyer, e-filing is mandatory for probate and administration proceedings. Self-represented parties can file in person or choose to use the electronic system.

NYSCEF is available 24 hours a day. It sends email alerts when documents are filed or when the court takes action. Credit cards are accepted for fees. For help, call the Electronic Filing Resource Center at 646-386-3033.

Greenburgh Local Resources

The Town of Greenburgh does not handle probate cases directly. All estate filings go through the Westchester County Surrogate's Court in White Plains. The town clerk can help with other local records.

Westchester County Probate Records

For full information about the Westchester County court system, records, and procedures, see our county page.

Nearby Cities

These cities and towns are near Greenburgh in Westchester County. All handle probate through the Westchester County Surrogate's Court.