New York City Probate Attorneys

NYC Probate Attorney Albert Goodwin in Manhattan Office

We are experienced probate attorneys in New York City, serving clients throughout all five boroughs from our conveniently located Midtown Manhattan office. Since 2008, we have built a reputation for achieving favorable resolutions in estate matters, handling every aspect of probate litigation and estate disputes with sensitivity and care.

Whether you are an executor requiring guidance, a beneficiary contesting a problematic will, or need any other probate court assistance, our firm protects your best interests with proven expertise in all NYC Surrogate's Courts.

You can contact us at (212) 233-1233 for a consultation about your probate matter.

Our Probate Services

Our attorneys guide executors, administrators, beneficiaries, and heirs through every stage of estate settlement and probate litigation. Our services include:

  • Estate Probate and Administration

    We handle the entire probate process, from initial filing to final asset distribution. Our experience navigating NYC's complex probate procedures ensures compliance with all legal requirements while minimizing delays and complications.

  • Will Contests and Estate Litigation

    When will validity is disputed, we represent clients in challenges involving fraud, duress, lack of capacity, or improper execution. Our litigation experience includes both contesting and defending wills across all NYC Surrogate's Courts.

  • Estate Accounting Services

    We assist executors with required interim and final estate accountings, providing meticulous documentation of assets, income, expenditures, and distributions. For beneficiaries, we review financial records and challenge suspicious transactions when necessary.

  • Asset Recovery and Disputes

    Our team investigates missing asset claims and represents clients in cases of improper distribution or misappropriation. We also defend executors against unjustified claims with comprehensive documentation and legal expertise.

  • Executor and Administration Issues

    We handle disputes over executor appointments and complaints about administrator conduct. When fiduciary duty violations occur, we pursue replacement of problematic executors to protect estate interests.

  • Kinship Proceedings

    For estates without wills where distant relatives may inherit, we handle complex kinship proceedings to establish rightful heirs, particularly in cases involving cousin relationships.

Why Choose Us as Your NYC Probate Attorneys

  • Focused Expertise

    We focus on probate and estate matters. This focus gives us deep insight into NYC Surrogate's Court procedures and estate law nuances.

  • Proven Track Record

    Our record of favorable outcomes spans complex will contests, asset recovery cases, and estate distributions. We've helped clients secure rightful inheritances and successfully resolved numerous estate disputes.

  • Court Recognition

    Through years of ethical advocacy, we've earned respect among NYC probate judges, court staff, and fellow practitioners. This professional standing often helps expedite proceedings and negotiations.

  • Local Knowledge

    Our firm's experience in all five borough courts provides invaluable insights into local procedures, helping navigate each jurisdiction's unique requirements efficiently.

NYC Probate FAQ

How long does probate take in New York City?

The duration varies by borough and case complexity. Simple probate cases in NYC typically take 7-9 months, while involved or contested matters can extend beyond a year. Each borough's Surrogate's Court may have different processing times.

Which NYC Surrogate's Court should I file in?

You should file in the borough where the deceased person last lived. Each borough (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island) has its own Surrogate's Court with specific filing requirements and procedures.

What makes NYC probate unique?

New York City probate involves unique procedures across five distinct Surrogate's Courts, each with its own local rules and requirements. The high property values and complex estate situations common in NYC often require specialized knowledge of local probate laws.

What Our Clients Say

"Mr. Albert Goodwin is an amazing lawyer. He is very personable and easy to talk to. He is extremely knowledgeable and familiar with NY State laws. Mr.Goodwin handled our case swiftly and efficiently which provided soooo much relief. He made me feel comfortable from the initial conversation when I explained our situation and was very reassuring that he would be able to assist us. I would definitely hire him again for anything that requires a Law Expert of any kind.
I can't thank him enough for providing us with a peace of mind with our situation.
🌟 HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM 🌟
Thanks A Million- N.R."

- Nikkie R

"Ty to Albert!!! I hired him to help with my father's estate since my father lived in Brooklyn. He was amazing. He took care of everything. Especially at a time when my head was spinning. I highly recommend him. Many many thanks."

cite>- Denise P.

"Albert Goodwin, is the best lawyer ever he is never too busy to talk with you he is very professional I would recommend this lawyer to anyone anytime.. thank you"

- Yvette H.

Contact Our NYC Probate Law Office

Our Midtown Manhattan office is conveniently located at 31 W 34 Str, Suite 7058

  • Subway: B/D/F/M/N/Q/R/W to 34th St.
  • PATH: 33rd Street Station
  • Bus: M4, M16, M34-SBS

Call us at (212) 233-1233 or email [email protected] to schedule your consultation.

Attorney Albert Goodwin

Law Offices of
Albert Goodwin, PLLC
31 W 34 Str, Suite 7058
New York, NY 10001

Tel. 212-233-1233

[email protected]

About the Author


Albert Goodwin is a licensed New York probate attorney with over 15 years of experience in the NYC Surrogate's Courts. His practice focuses on probate and estate matters across all five boroughs.

As a recognized authority in New York probate law, Mr. Goodwin has successfully handled hundreds of complex estate cases in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island Surrogate's Courts. His expertise includes estate administration, will contests, estate litigation, and kinship proceedings.

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Albert Goodwin gave interviews to and appeared on the following media outlets:

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Client Reviews

Verified feedback from our clients

Mr. Goodwin is everything you want in an attorney: professional, honest, thorough, and genuinely caring. He always explains things clearly, so I understood exactly what was happening and what to expect next. His attention to detail and persistence really stood out. Looking back, I feel lucky to have found him. He guided me through the whole process expertly, and I deeply appreciate all his hard work. Would definitely recommend him to anyone needing legal help.

Sarah M

Legal Services

Thanks to Mr. Albert Goodwin's hard work and smart thinking, I finally won my case, which has been a long time coming. He figured out solutions that no one else could see. I'm really impressed by his strong ethics - something that's rare these days. As my lawyer, he went above and beyond what I expected. I'm so grateful I found him and would definitely recommend him to anyone needing legal help.

Lawrence H

Estate Law

From our first meeting, I knew I was in great hands with Albert and his associate Katrina. They handled my case with incredible skill and efficiency, even though they took it over from another firm. What impressed me most was how quickly Albert responded to my questions with honest, clear answers - no sugarcoating, just straight talk. They managed a huge workload under tight deadlines, and their fees were very reasonable for such high-quality work. Beyond his legal expertise, Albert's wit and personality made a difficult process much easier to handle. I'm deeply grateful for their hard work and would absolutely choose them again. If you need legal help in New York, you won't find better representation than Albert's firm.

Adam F

Estate Litigation

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