Chenango County Courts

Surrogate Court

13 Eaton Ave.
Norwich, NY 13815
Telephone 607-371-7165
Fax 646-963-6603

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(closed on State Holidays)

Matters returnable Monday and Fridays
(except holidays)

 

Judges' Chambers

Surrogate Court Judge
Hon. Frank B. Revoir

Court Attorney
Claudette Y. Newman

Secretary
JoEllen Beadle

Phone: 607-371-7190
Fax: 607-240-5943
 

Notice

Notice to Self Represented Litigants

The Chenango County Surrogate’s Court ensures that self-represented litigants have clear and unencumbered access to the Court.

This office provides basic information to self-represented litigants on procedural matters; court rules and statutes. Some forms, instructions and informational brochures are available at court Additionally, forms can be found on this website.

Court personnel may provide information or explain court procedures and policies. However court personnel cannot advise a litigant whether to start a case, recommend which process or procedure to use or do legal research for litigants, self-represented or otherwise; nor can they assist you in filling out these forms and may not advise you as to wording or legal sufficiency. You must do your own legal research to determine the legal content of the forms.

Another possible resource is the Central New York Legal HelpLine (1.877-777-6152), a toll free call center open Monday through Friday 9:00 a m. to 3:00 p.m. This is available to persons residing (or with legal proceeding) in Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga. Oswego and Otsego Counties.

THIS OFFICE CANNOT PROVIDE YOU WITH LEGAL ADVICE.

Eaton Center
All visitors must pass through a
magnetometer upon entering the court facilities.

 

Court Clerk's Office

Chief Clerk
Candy Roys-Jones

Members of the public can now access WebSurrogate outside of a court facility to search Surrogate’s Court records from personal computers and mobile devices using the following link:  https://websurrogates.nycourts.gov/
WebSurrogate will not have any links to document images for documents filed prior to 02/19/2014

 

Overview

In New York State, the Surrogate's Court maintains jurisdiction over all actions and proceedings relating to the affairs of decedents. This includes the probate of wills (testate) and the administration of estates (intestate), voluntary administrations (small estates), ancillary proceedings, disputed claims, discovery proceedings, accountings, compromise and settlement of wrongful death actions, guardianships of the person and property of an infant (SCPA Article 17) and guardianships of persons with developmental disabilities (SCPA Article 17A).

Except where otherwise provided, the Surrogate Court is governed by the Surrogate Court Procedure Act (SCPA), the Estates, Powers and Trusts Laws (EPTL), the Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) and the Uniform Rules for Surrogate's Court (22N.Y.C.R.R ). If no provision is found therein, the Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) and other pertinent laws shall apply. All proceedings are commenced by the filing of a petition. Personal jurisdiction is obtained over a party by service of process upon her/him, by his/her waiver of issuance of service of process, or by the party's appearance.

Estate proceedings dating back to 1806 are on file and available to the general public. The Court does not provide searches over the phone, however, you may send written request. The fee for a search under 25 years is $30, and for over 25 years is $90.00. The Court does not accept personal checks, please send bank check or money order payable to Chenango County Surrogate's Court. Credit card payment is also accepted by completing the Credit Card Authorization Form.