Nassau & Suffolk Surrogate’s Courts — Long Island Estate Jurisdiction

Long Island estates are handled by two separate Surrogate’s Courts — Nassau County Surrogate’s Court in Mineola and Suffolk County Surrogate’s Court in Riverhead — depending on where the decedent was domiciled. These courts handle probate, intestate administration, guardianships, accountings, will contests, and related estate matters under New York’s Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (SCPA). “Long Island” is not a single jurisdiction: a Nassau decedent’s estate cannot be filed in Suffolk, and vice versa.

Which court has jurisdiction over my Long Island estate?

It depends on domicile — the county where the decedent permanently lived. Under SCPA 205–206, venue is set by domicile, not by where property sits. So a Garden City (Nassau) resident who owned a beach house in Montauk (Suffolk) still has the estate administered in Nassau Surrogate’s Court.

Court identity

County	Court	Address & phone
Nassau	Nassau County Surrogate’s Court	262 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501 — 516-493-3800
Suffolk	Suffolk County Surrogate’s Court	320 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901 — 631-852-1745

Both courts derive their authority from the SCPA and exercise jurisdiction over estates of decedents domiciled in their county.

What the Surrogate’s Court handles

• Probate of wills and issuance of letters testamentary
• Administration of estates with no will (letters of administration)
• Guardianship of property for minors (note: adult incapacity guardianships under MHL Article 81 go to Supreme Court)
• Accountings — judicial and informal settlement of fiduciary accounts
• Will contests and other estate litigation
• Adoptions and certain related proceedings
• Small-estate / voluntary administration under SCPA Article 13

The domicile rule — why it controls venue

Domicile (definition): the one place a person treats as a permanent home and intends to return to.

Because SCPA 205 ties venue to the decedent’s county of domicile, establishing where someone truly lived can itself be contested — for example, a snowbird who split time between a Massapequa home and a Florida condo. The domicile finding decides whether Nassau, Suffolk, or another state’s court takes the case.

Local procedure: NYSCEF, help centers, and calendars

Both the Nassau and Suffolk Surrogate’s Courts participate in NYSCEF, New York’s electronic filing system, which lets attorneys and parties file and track cases online. Each court maintains a help center / pro se assistance resource for self-represented filers, though staff can explain procedure — not give legal advice. Calendars and processing times differ: Nassau’s dense suburban caseload and Suffolk’s geographic spread both affect how quickly matters move.

Who runs the court

Each county elects a Surrogate — the judge who decides estate matters — supported by a chief clerk and court staff who manage filings and calendars. (These are roles, not specific named individuals here; confirm current personnel with the court.)

Self-represented vs. represented filers

You can file in either court without a lawyer, and the help center can point you to forms. But for contested probate, real-property transfers, accountings, or estate-tax issues — all common on Long Island — representation usually saves time and avoids defective filings the clerk cannot fix for you.

Three Long Island filing realities

1. Two courts, one “Island.” Always confirm the decedent’s domicile county first — filing in the wrong court wastes weeks.
2. Riverhead is far east. Suffolk’s courthouse in Riverhead is a real drive for western-Suffolk residents; NYSCEF e-filing reduces, but doesn’t eliminate, in-person needs.
3. Original wills matter. Both courts generally require the original signed will; a lost original triggers the harder SCPA 1407 process.

FAQ

Is there one Long Island Surrogate’s Court? No — Nassau and Suffolk each have their own, set by domicile under SCPA 205–206.

Can I file Suffolk probate online? Yes, Suffolk is on NYSCEF; some steps may still require submitting the original will.

What if the decedent lived in Nassau but owned property in Suffolk? The estate is administered in Nassau (domicile); the Suffolk property is handled within that estate.

Does the Surrogate’s Court handle adult guardianship? No — adult incapacity guardianships (MHL Article 81) are heard in Supreme Court, not Surrogate’s Court.

Navigate your local court

For help filing in the right Long Island court, book a 30-minute consultation with Russel Morgan: schedule via Calendly. For the full process, see the Long Island probate process and the Long Island estate guide.