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. Administration When a Person Dies with No Will.Do you know how to find out if you are a beneficiary on a bank account? You can order a copy of a death certificate for someone who died in New York City in or after 1949. If you've been named the executor of an estate, it's important to make sure you understand the probate process in New York. One of the greatest advantages of becoming an executor or estate administrator is managing and having control of the estate bank account. This booklet provides information about what to do when someone dies and there is an estate to administer. 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. But what happens if you don't have a will? In general, you can't.