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Guardianship, Statewide Info
Law Library, Richmond County

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    Contact

    Phone: 718-675-8508
    Email: [email protected]

    Hours

    Monday through Friday,
    9:00AM to 5:00PM

    Overview

    The Richmond County Surrogate’s Court Help Center, under the leadership of the Honorable Matthew J. Titone, Surrogate of Richmond County, insures that self-represented litigants have clear and unencumbered access to the Surrogate’s Court. The office provides basic information to self-represented litigants on procedural matters, court rules and statutes. Some forms and informational brochures are also available.

    Has the Police Dept. sealed your family member's Richmond County residence?

    Services

    Under no circumstances can the office provide you with legal advice.

    The Help Center may provide information or explain court procedures and policies. Additionally the office may identify different options available to a litigant. The Help Center cannot advise a litigant whether to start a case, recommend which process or procedure to use or do legal research for you. Selected forms and instructions are available and can be found on the website below.

    The Help Center may not 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. The Help Center works in partnership with the Richmond County Supreme Court Library. Librarians may assist you in researching the procedures, statutes and legal definitions obtained from the Help Center; however, they also may not provide you with legal advice.

    In addition, the New York State Unified Court System offers a web site for frequently asked questions and Official Court Forms: www.nycourthelp.gov

    Resources for Self-Represented Litigants

    Should your legal problem be so complex, or become complex or contested, some professional organizations have referral services which you may use to attempt to retain an attorney to represent you. These organizations include:

    New York State Bar Association - Estate & Surrogate Court Assistance
    518-463-3200
    The New York State Bar Association website has a program that provides volunteer attorneys to assist with Surrogate Court matters. The website also provides explanations and forms.
    CourtHelp DIY Forms
    Law Help NY
    LawHelpNY provides a research database to find an appropriate legal service organization, look up legal information, and DIY Forms.
    Law Help Interactive
    Interactive assistance for legal documents.

    Planning & Estates Law Project at the New York City Bar
    212-382-6756
    For assistance information on Surrogate court matters call the PELP project at the New York City Bar Justice Center.

    • Call and leave a message with your name, phone number and a brief message.
    • Assist with probate, administration, surrogate court matters, wills, life planning documents
    • Do not represent people in court, trusts or contested matters

    City Bar Justice Center
    212-626-7383

    Richmond County Bar Association
    25 Hyatt Street - Suite 203
    Staten Island, NY 10301
    Phone: 718-442-4500
    Fax: 718-442-2019

    Access Justice Brooklyn
    718-624-3894