When a person dies intestate, that person's property is distributed according to the law. In New York, that law is found in EPTL 4-1.1.Filing the probate petition. To Open a Safe Deposit Box After Death in NYC, you must Petition the Surrogate's Court in the County where the Decedent died for permission. A letter of instruction (LOI), also called a letter of intent. It provides your executor with important information about your assets and personal information. This guide provides information on how to file a petition to administer or probate an estate in Surrogate's Court. How do I get a death certificate? Only entitled parties and their attorneys may submit orders for NYC death certificates. It does not have these records for New York City (the boroughs of Manhattan, Kings (Brooklyn), Queens, Bronx, and Richmond (Staten Island)).