When you inherit a house in New York, the path forward depends on whether the person who passed left a will. With a will, the executor named in that document is responsible for handling the estate, and the property transfers according to the deceased's wishes through the probate process in Surrogate's Court. Without a will — a situation called intestacy — New York State law decides who inherits, typically the spouse first, then children, then other relatives in a defined order, and the court appoints an Administrator to manage the estate instead of an executor.
Practically speaking, this means you usually cannot sell, rent, or refinance the property right away. The executor or administrator needs proper legal authority from the court before any major decision about the property can be finalized, and any sale proceeds typically flow through the estate before reaching the heirs. Whether you are at the very beginning of this process or somewhere in the middle, Sam can help you understand your options and what makes sense for your specific situation — there is no pressure and no obligation.