Long Island estates are handled by two separate Surrogate’s Courts — the Nassau County Surrogate’s Court in Mineola and the Suffolk County Surrogate’s Court in Riverhead — and the decedent’s county of domicile determines which one has jurisdiction. These courts handle probate, intestate administration, guardianships of minors, accountings, will contests, and related estate matters under the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (SCPA). There is no single “Long Island Surrogate’s Court.”
Court identity
| Nassau County | Suffolk County | |
|---|---|---|
| Court | Nassau County Surrogate’s Court | Suffolk County Surrogate’s Court |
| Address | 262 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501 | 320 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901 |
| Phone | 516-493-3800 (verify) | 631-852-1745 (verify) |
| County served | Nassau (coextensive with the county) | Suffolk (coextensive with the county) |
| E-filing | NYSCEF available | NYSCEF available |
Each court’s authority comes from the SCPA, which grants Surrogate’s Courts jurisdiction over the affairs of decedents domiciled in their county.
What the Surrogate’s Court handles
- Probate of wills and issuance of letters testamentary
- Administration of intestate estates (no will) and letters of administration
- Accountings — informal settlements and formal judicial accountings
- Will contests and objections to probate
- Guardianship of the property of minors (SCPA 17-A guardianships for certain adults)
- Kinship proceedings to identify unknown heirs
- Small-estate / voluntary administration under SCPA Article 13
The domicile rule (SCPA 205–206)
Venue follows the decedent’s domicile — their fixed, permanent home — at death, under SCPA 205–206. This matters acutely on Long Island because so many residents own property in more than one place. A retiree who spends winters in Florida but keeps a Garden City home as their true domicile files in Nassau. A family with a primary home in Huntington and a summer cottage in Montauk files where the decedent was actually domiciled — usually the primary Suffolk home, in Riverhead. The summer home alone does not move venue.
Definition — domicile: the one place a person treats as their fixed, permanent home and intends to return to. Definition — venue: the particular court where a case is properly filed.
Local procedure realities
Both Nassau and Suffolk are on NYSCEF, New York’s e-filing system, so many documents can be filed electronically. Each court maintains a help center for self-represented filers, but help-center staff cannot give legal advice. As high-volume downstate courts, both run busier calendars than rural counties, so scheduling a citation return or accounting can take time.
The Suffolk court’s location in Riverhead — on the East End, far from population centers like Babylon, Islip, and Huntington — is a real practical factor. A western-Suffolk family may face a long drive for any in-person appearance, which is one reason e-filing and counsel who appear on your behalf can matter more here than in compact counties.
Key court roles
Each county’s court is led by an elected Surrogate (the judge), supported by a Chief Clerk and clerical staff who manage filings, calendars, and the help center. These are institutional roles; confirm the current officeholders directly with the court.
Self-represented vs. represented filers
You may file pro se, and the help center can hand out forms and explain procedure. But probate of anything beyond the simplest estate — especially one with real property, a business, or any disagreement among heirs — typically benefits from counsel. See when a lawyer is essential on the FAQ page.
Long Island specifics to remember
- Two courts, not one — never file a Nassau estate in Riverhead or vice versa.
- Domicile, not property location, sets venue — a Suffolk beach house does not move a Nassau estate.
- Riverhead distance — budget travel time for any in-person Suffolk appearance.
Frequently asked questions
Which Surrogate’s Court handles a Nassau County estate? The Nassau County Surrogate’s Court at 262 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501.
Where do Suffolk County estates go? To the Suffolk County Surrogate’s Court at 320 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901 — on the East End.
Can a Nassau estate be filed in Suffolk because the family lives there? No. Venue follows the decedent’s county of domicile under SCPA 205–206, regardless of where the heirs live.
Do the Long Island Surrogate’s Courts allow e-filing? Yes. Both Nassau and Suffolk participate in NYSCEF.
This page is informational and not legal advice. To navigate the Nassau or Suffolk Surrogate’s Court, book a consultation with Russel Morgan.
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