Source: https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/5jd/onondaga/surrogate/probate.shtml
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 22:15:25+00:00

Document:
DO NOT REMOVE THE STAPLES FROM THE WILL WHEN MAKING COPIES BEFORE FILING WITH THE COURT.
The removal of staples may provide grounds for objection to probate. If the staples have been removed and the document re-stapled, you must provide the Court with a notarized affidavit stating why they were removed (i.e. for making copies), where the document has been kept since it was executed, and that you believe that no substitutions/changes have been made since its execution.
The following information is for use with the uniform court forms.
Use the decedent's name as it appears in the signature on the will followed by a/k/a's when needed.
Any competent adult or corporation interested in the estate may submit a petition for probate. This can be done even though the petitioner does not wish to be appointed the executor of the estate. If the proposed Executor is an attorney compliance with SCPA 2307a must be attached.
The caption and ¶ 2 must be consistent. Enter decedent's domiciliary address. If the address on the death certificate is different from the decedent's domiciliary address supply an affidavit explaining the inconsistency.
A death certificate must be filed with the petition. The date of death should be consistent with the death certificate.
Include date of will and all codicils. Be sure to include the self-proving affidavit or witness depositions. If needed a certified copy of the Will can be obtained from the court to send to the witnesses.
Distributees may have a statutory right to object to the probate of the will and therefore must be classified. A distributee is any person entitled to take or share in property of a decedent under the statutes governing descent and distribution. See EPTL § 4-1.1. Distributees are not necessarily named in the will. See EPTL § 4-1.2 Also see DRL §115 regarding adopted children.
1. § 5: Please read the directions carefully. This paragraph refers to distributees only. Insert the proper number of distributees in the proper category, insert "NO" in prior classes, then put an "X" in the remaining categories.
2. § 6: All persons that are distributees in §5 must be listed in §6. Also include the names and address of any primary executor, all persons adversely affected by the purported exercise by such Will of any power of appointment, of all persons adversely affected by any codicil and of all persons having an interest under any other will of the decedent on file in the Surrogate's Court.
3. Jurisdiction must be obtained over all persons listed in §6 by waiver or citation.
5. Family Tree - In Onondaga County, a family tree is required when the distributees are more remote than the mother and father of the decedent..
§7 List all the persons and organizations, other than those already listed in §6 that are designated or named in the will as provided in the directions of the petition. If the decedent was survived by a spouse and one or both parents, but no issue, the parents may have a right to share in the recovery for wrongful death and must be given notice of probate.
1. If Letters of Trusteeship are requested and the will does not dispense with a bond, a bond may be required.
2. Each trust for which letters will be issued must be listed separately.
3. If Preliminary Letters are required submit appropriate form.
4. If Letter of Administration CTA are requested a bond may be necessary.
Be sure the address and name is consistent with that on petition if petitioner is receiving letters.
THIS MATERIAL IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL/TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY. It is intended for use in conjunction with review of the applicable statute and rules of the Surrogate's Court and the Surrogate's Court Operations Manual.

References: § 4
 § 4
 §115
 § 5
 § 6
 §5
 §6
 §6

§7
 §6