2026 New York General Election

Judy Nolfo

Buket Urgen

Judy Nolfo has spent her career focused on all areas of Surrogate’s Court law. After graduating from Albany Law School and being admitted to practice in New York, she chose estates and elder law, helping families honor a loved one’s wishes and protecting seniors and vulnerable adults.

Judy for Judge

Judy Nolfo graduated from Albany Law School and was admitted to practice in New York.

She spent 19 years in private practice at the Nolfo McKenna Law Office, practicing throughout the Capital District and the Hudson Valley, helping people plan estates, navigate Surrogate’s Court, and care for aging parents and relatives. Seeing how grief and confusion collided with dense legal language, she focused on listening carefully, explaining plainly, and finding solutions that lowered the temperature.

Today, as Principal Court Attorney in Ulster County Surrogate’s Court and Acting Supreme Court, Judy has seen how probate, guardianship, and loss land hardest on ordinary families. She has used her role to make the law understandable, to steer conflicts toward fair resolutions, and to keep the focus on people rather than paperwork.

Judy currently works as a principal court attorney in Ulster County Surrogate’s Court and in Acting Supreme Court. She previously practiced law at the Nolfo McKenna Law Office.

Practiced estate and elder law for 19 years at Nolfo McKenna Law Office, helping clients plan estates and navigate Surrogate’s Court.

Serves as Principal Court Attorney in Ulster County Surrogate’s Court and Acting Supreme Court, with experience in probate and guardianship matters.

- Practiced estate and elder law for 19 years at Nolfo McKenna Law Office, helping clients plan estates and navigate Surrogate’s Court.
- Serves as Principal Court Attorney in Ulster County Surrogate’s Court and Acting Supreme Court, with experience in probate and guardianship matters.

Legal Experience

“Surrogate’s Court touches families at some of the hardest moments in their lives. After thirty years immersed in Surrogate's Court law, and currently serving as Principal Court Attorney, I’m running for Surrogate’s Court Judge because every person deserves a Court that is consistent, compassionate, and committed to equal justice under the law.” — Judy Nolfo

Advocates for a Surrogate’s Court that is consistent, compassionate, and committed to equal justice under the law.

- Advocates for a Surrogate’s Court that is consistent, compassionate, and committed to equal justice under the law.

Judicial Philosophy

Focused on plain-language explanations and fair resolution of conflicts in estate and Surrogate’s Court matters.

- Focused on plain-language explanations and fair resolution of conflicts in estate and Surrogate’s Court matters.

Judicial Administration

As of October 22, 2026, Judy Nolfo’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

-  The Surrogate's Court can hear cases related to establishing the validity of wills, the administration of estates, and adoptions.
- Each of New York's 62 counties has one surrogate judge, except New York County and Kings County which have two each.
- Surrogate judges serve 10-year terms, except in the five counties of New York City, where they serve 14-year terms.
- Surrogate judges are elected countywide and required to be residents of the county they serve.
- Their salaries range from $119,800 to $136,700 depending on the county.

Oversees probate, estate administration, and adoptions.