New York Public Administrator Licensing Exam
– Practice Test Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
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1. The primary duty of a Public Administrator in New York is to:
A. Represent the state in criminal trials
B. Administer estates when there is no will or known heirs
C. Oversee the county treasury
D. Manage local municipal budgets
Rationale: Public Administrators handle the administration of estates for
decedents who die intestate and without known heirs.
2. Which New York agency oversees the appointment of Public
Administrators?
A. Department of State
B. Surrogate’s Court
C. Attorney General’s Office
D. Comptroller’s Office
Rationale: Each county’s Surrogate’s Court appoints a Public
Administrator to handle unrepresented estates.
,3. When a decedent’s estate lacks heirs, the unclaimed funds are
typically transferred to:
A. The Department of Labor
B. The Office of the State Comptroller
C. The Department of State
D. The State Treasury Division
Rationale: The New York State Comptroller holds unclaimed funds and
manages abandoned property.
4. Before distributing estate assets, a Public Administrator must:
A. Obtain an affidavit from the County Clerk
B. Pay debts and funeral expenses
C. Notify the mayor’s office
D. Submit a request to the Department of Taxation
Rationale: Priority is given to settling the decedent’s debts and burial
costs before distribution.
5. In New York, Public Administrators derive authority from which
law?
A. Penal Law
B. Business Corporation Law
C. Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (SCPA)
D. Civil Service Law
Rationale: The SCPA provides statutory authority governing the duties of
Public Administrators.
, 6. The Public Administrator must file an inventory of assets:
A. Within 60 days
B. Within 9 months after appointment
C. Within 30 days of death
D. Within 1 year of death
Rationale: The SCPA requires an inventory within nine months after
letters of administration are issued.
7. When no will is found, the estate is distributed according to:
A. Executor’s decision
B. County resolution
C. New York intestacy laws (EPTL)
D. Public Administrator’s discretion
Rationale: Estates without wills follow the rules set in the Estates,
Powers, and Trusts Law (EPTL).
8. Public Administrators are required to:
A. Serve for life once appointed
B. Receive legislative approval for each estate
C. Be bonded and file annual reports
D. Be elected by county residents
Rationale: Bonding protects estate assets, and annual reports ensure
transparency.
– Practice Test Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. The primary duty of a Public Administrator in New York is to:
A. Represent the state in criminal trials
B. Administer estates when there is no will or known heirs
C. Oversee the county treasury
D. Manage local municipal budgets
Rationale: Public Administrators handle the administration of estates for
decedents who die intestate and without known heirs.
2. Which New York agency oversees the appointment of Public
Administrators?
A. Department of State
B. Surrogate’s Court
C. Attorney General’s Office
D. Comptroller’s Office
Rationale: Each county’s Surrogate’s Court appoints a Public
Administrator to handle unrepresented estates.
,3. When a decedent’s estate lacks heirs, the unclaimed funds are
typically transferred to:
A. The Department of Labor
B. The Office of the State Comptroller
C. The Department of State
D. The State Treasury Division
Rationale: The New York State Comptroller holds unclaimed funds and
manages abandoned property.
4. Before distributing estate assets, a Public Administrator must:
A. Obtain an affidavit from the County Clerk
B. Pay debts and funeral expenses
C. Notify the mayor’s office
D. Submit a request to the Department of Taxation
Rationale: Priority is given to settling the decedent’s debts and burial
costs before distribution.
5. In New York, Public Administrators derive authority from which
law?
A. Penal Law
B. Business Corporation Law
C. Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (SCPA)
D. Civil Service Law
Rationale: The SCPA provides statutory authority governing the duties of
Public Administrators.
, 6. The Public Administrator must file an inventory of assets:
A. Within 60 days
B. Within 9 months after appointment
C. Within 30 days of death
D. Within 1 year of death
Rationale: The SCPA requires an inventory within nine months after
letters of administration are issued.
7. When no will is found, the estate is distributed according to:
A. Executor’s decision
B. County resolution
C. New York intestacy laws (EPTL)
D. Public Administrator’s discretion
Rationale: Estates without wills follow the rules set in the Estates,
Powers, and Trusts Law (EPTL).
8. Public Administrators are required to:
A. Serve for life once appointed
B. Receive legislative approval for each estate
C. Be bonded and file annual reports
D. Be elected by county residents
Rationale: Bonding protects estate assets, and annual reports ensure
transparency.
