Ancillary, as used in Surrogate's Court practice, most nearly means which of the following?

• A. Primary
• B. Ancillary
• C. Reciprocal
• D. Mutual

Answer: (B)

Ancillary means secondary or supplementary, something that accompanies the main action to support it. In Surrogate’s Court practice, a primary proceeding handles the main probate or administration, while an ancillary proceeding takes care of assets or issues that arise in connection with that main case but in a different context or jurisdiction. For example, if the decedent had property or assets located outside the primary domicile, the court may issue ancillary administration to manage those assets, while the main administration continues elsewhere. So the term describes a secondary, accompanying step that helps complete the overall estate administration. The other terms don’t fit because they describe the main action or unrelated concepts, not the idea of a supporting, secondary proceeding.