NY A05696

Creates a Division of the Public Administrator within the New York City Corporation Counsel's office, headed by a director appointed by the mayor who serves at the mayor's pleasure

Grants the director broad fiduciary powers over estates of deceased persons in NYC who die without known heirs, including authority to take possession of property, sell assets at public auction, and distribute estates

Allows the director to handle small estates (as defined in section 1301) without obtaining letters of administration, and to serve legal process on out-of-city parties via certified mail

Establishes a 13-member Administrative Board for Public Administrators statewide, including surrogate court judges and appointees from the chief administrative judge, state comptroller, attorney general, and bar associations, to set uniform guidelines and fee schedules

Makes New York City liable for the director's faithful execution of duties and proper application of all funds and property, with aggrieved parties able to seek remedies in surrogate's court