2026 New York General Election

Nelida Malave Gonzalez

Alejandra Gracias

Hon. Nelida Malave-Gonzalez interviewed by David Giller.

Hon. Nelida Malave-Gonzalez, elected Bronx Surrogate whose term began on January 2, 2013, is a Bronx native born to Puerto Rican parents from San Sebastian, Puerto Rico. She is the youngest of 11 children raised in the Morrisania Projects.

Dispensing Justice: Nelida Malave-Gonzalez

Surrogate Malave-Gonzalez attended St. Augustine Parochial School in the Morrisania section of the Bronx and Cardinal Spellman High School in the Baychester area of the Bronx. The Surrogate graduated from Fordham University, Rose Hill Campus also located in the Bronx. Due to the absence of any law schools in the Bronx, she ventured over the bridge to Queens and obtained her law degree from CUNY Law School at Queens College.

Nelida Malave Gonzalez is a Bronx native. She graduated from Fordham University and earned a law degree from CUNY Law School at Queens College.

Interview with Hon. Nelida Malave-Gonzalez & David Giller

Prior to being elected, first as a Civil Court judge in 2005, Surrogate Malave-Gonzalez worked in private practice for 13 years. In 2011 she was appointed as acting Supreme Court Justice.

In 2011 she was appointed as acting Supreme Court Justice. Before her tenure on the bench, Surrogate Malave-Gonzalez served the Bronx County as a general practice attorney advocating for clients in Family, Housing, Criminal, Surrogate’s, Civil and Supreme Courts. During that time, she also served as an Administrative Law Judge on the NYC Environmental Control Board in the Bronx where she conducted hearings regarding quality of life issues for Bronx residents.

Nelida previously worked in private practice as a general-practice attorney in Bronx County and also served as an administrative law judge on the New York City Environmental Control Board in the Bronx.

Hon. Nelida Malave-Gonzalez interviewed by David Giller.

Hon. Nelida Malave-Gonzalez, elected Bronx Surrogate whose term began on January 2, 2013, is a Bronx native born to Puerto Rican parents from San Sebastian, Puerto

Nelida was elected Bronx Surrogate, and her term began on January 2, 2013.

Was appointed acting Supreme Court justice in 2011.

Worked for 13 years in private practice as a general-practice attorney, representing clients in family, housing, criminal, surrogate’s, civil, and supreme courts.

In 2011 she was appointed as acting Supreme Court Justice. Before her tenure on the bench, Surrogate Nelida Malave-Gonzalez served the Bronx County as a general practice attorney advocating for clients in Family, Housing, Criminal, Surrogate’s, Civil and Supreme Courts. During that time, she also served as an Administrative Law Judge on the NYC Environmental Control Board in the Bronx where she conducted hearings regarding quality of life issues for Bronx residents.

Served as an administrative law judge on the New York City Environmental Control Board, conducting hearings on quality-of-life issues for Bronx residents.

Ruled in Estate of Huertas that a surviving spouse was entitled to a share of New York City Employees’ Retirement System benefits despite a third-party beneficiary designation.

In a Bronx Estate case decided on September 17, 2018 entitled Estate of Huertas, Bronx Surrogate Nelida Malave-Gonzalez found that the spouse was entitled to receive a share of NYCERS benefits. These benefits had been designated by the decedent to be paid in full to a third-party. Although the Court found that the spouse was entitled to her spousal share, the Court also pointed out that in order to determine the correct amount to be paid, all of the estate assets and expenses needed to be identified. This is because the spouse is only entitled to receive a share of the net estate.

Important Information Regarding a Surviving Spouse's Right to Receive NYCERS Benefits

Legal Experience

As of October 15, 2026, Nelida Malave Gonzalez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Philosophy

## Help Center For Unrepresented Court Users

The Surrogate’s Court Help Center, under the leadership of the Honorable Nelida Malavé-Gonzalez, Surrogate of Bronx County, assists self-represented parties so they can have clear and unencumbered access to the Court. The Help Center provides basic information on procedural matters, court rules and statutes. Some forms and informational brochures are also available.

Bronx County Surrogate's Court | New York Courts

It is the mission of Bronx County Surrogate's Court to continue its long tradition of serving all court users in a professional and respectful manner, bearing in mind they may have recently experienced the loss of a loved one or require assistance for a special needs family member.

Our Surrogate, the Honorable Nelida Malavé-Gonzalez , recognizes the efforts of the court's employees and, through her leadership, resolves to foster the staff's dedication and professionalism.

Leads a Surrogate’s Court Help Center that provides self-represented court users with procedural information, court rules, statutes, forms, and brochures.

Works to foster dedication and professionalism among court staff.

- Leads a Surrogate’s Court Help Center that provides self-represented court users with procedural information, court rules, statutes, forms, and brochures.
- Works to foster dedication and professionalism among court staff.

Judicial Administration

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.