Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a will, appointing an executor, paying debts, and distributing assets. In New York, probate is handled by the Surrogate's Court in the county where the deceased lived.
If there's no will, the process is called administration, and the court appoints an administrator instead of an executor. Either way, no one can legally sell estate real estate until the court grants authority.
Timelines vary widely — a simple uncontested probate may take a few months, while contested matters or complex estates can take a year or more. Planning for the wait, and the costs that continue during it, helps families avoid surprises.