Suffolk County, NY Consumer Law

Free Tools and Information for Suffolk County, NY Consumers

New York Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• New York PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for Suffolk County: Key information about your local probate court (Orphans Court & Register of Wills Court in New York) for Suffolk County.
• How Probate Works in New York: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Suffolk County's probate court.
  • Here are links to:
    • New York Probate Forms and the
    • New York State Probate Court Website.
• Small Estates Procedures in New York: Learn how to use New York's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • In Maryland, there's no Affidavit procedure available for small estates. There is a summary probate procedure available for estates that have a value of assets subject to probate that is less than $50,000. (This excludes the value of all joint tenancy property and other assets that pass by beneficiary designation, such as life insurance and transfer on death accounts.)

    This summary probate procedure is also available if the surviving spouse is the only beneficiary and the estate is worth $100,000 or less.

    Md. Code Ann. Estates and Trusts 5-601.

• New York Estate Taxes:

  • The state of Maryland imposes an estate tax on property owned in Maryland. If you are inheriting property from the state of Maryland, it may be subject to estate tax if the overall value of the estate is more than $5,000,000.

    Maryland also poses and inheritance tax. It is the only state to have both.

• Avoiding Probate in New York. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

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New York Wage & Hour Law

• New York Minimum Wage:  

  • The minimum wage in Maryland is $15 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in Maryland must be paid at least $15 an hour.

    Suffolk County Minimum Wage

    In Suffolk County, the minimum wage is $15 an hour. 

• Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in New York and whether they apply to you.
• Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in New York. 
• Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in New York.

  • In New York, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of $3.63 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $15 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference.

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Bankruptcy & Debt

• MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
  • for Suffolk County, New York (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for April 1, 2024)
• New York BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under New York law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
  • Federal Exemptions available in New York?:  

    • No. Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 11-504

  • New York Homestead Exemption

    • Owner occupied residential property or condo or co-op to $25,150 (husband and wife may not double)
      Property held as tenancy by the entirety is exempt against debts owed by only one spouse

  • New York Vehicle Exemption

    • none (see Wild Card)

• New York BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

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New York Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in New York: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • Minimum: 
    • $50 per week
  • Maximum: 
    • $430 per week
  • Duration: 

    • In New York, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks under state law. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in New York.
  • Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Unemployment Insurance 
    • 667-207-6520
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
• COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.

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Democracy In New York, Suffolk County, Huntington Station 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Suffolk County, NY.
  • Key Links:
    • Check Your New York Voter Registration Status: https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/VoterSearch
• Gerrymandering in New York: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 
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Find a Lawyer in Suffolk County, NY

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration
• Legal Aid
  • The People's Law Library of Maryland 

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