In the Surrogate's Court, what duty does the clerk have regarding creditor claims?

• A. The clerk tracks and monitors claims as part of the probate process.
• B. The clerk pays all claims automatically.
• C. The clerk ignores creditor claims.
• D. The clerk resolves claims without court involvement.

Answer: (A)

Tracking and monitoring creditor claims is the clerk’s administrative duty in the Surrogate’s Court. This role ensures that all claims are properly recorded, creditors are given the required notice, and deadlines for filing and responding are tracked so the probate process proceeds in an orderly fashion under court supervision. The clerk does not decide whether a claim is valid, nor do they pay claims; those actions come from the court with input from the executor or administrator and in accordance with probate rules. Paying, ignoring, or resolving claims without court involvement would bypass the court’s oversight and the formal process for handling debts in an estate.