Small Estate Threshold Increased

Effective November 25, 2019, Section 1301 of the New York Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act was amended to increase the threshold amount for a “small estate” from $30,000 to $50,000. The increased threshold amount is effective for proceedings commenced after November 25, 2019.

A small estate proceeding, or a “voluntary administration,” is an expedited administration proceeding for decedents with less than $50,000 of personal property, including bank accounts, stock certificates, and tangible property. The $50,000 threshold does not include jointly owned property, real property, accounts with a designated beneficiary, or exempt property required to be set off under EPTL 5-3.1(a).

The filing fee associated with the small estate proceeding is $1, regardless of the value of the estate (not to exceed $50,000). While the small estate proceeding is expedited and has a nominal filing fee, the court appointed voluntary administrator is still a fiduciary, carrying the responsibility of all powers and duties associated with being a fiduciary.