Administration When a Person Dies with No Will. When the person who died (the Decedent) had a Will then the Will must be filed in Surrogate's Court and admitted (approved) for probate.Have you named a beneficiary on your bank accounts? A New York estate planning attorney explains the pros and cons of payable on death designations. You can order a copy of a death certificate for someone who died in New York City in or after 1949. One of the greatest advantages of becoming an executor or estate administrator is managing and having control of the estate bank account. A New York City bank account beneficiary lawyer can help you advance your interests. 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.