N.Y. Surrogate's Court Procedure Act § 510: Pretrial conference At any time after issue has been joined, the court, in its discretion, may require the attendance of all parties and ...

§ 510. Pretrial conference

At any time after issue has been joined, the court, in its discretion,

may require the attendance of all parties and counsel at one or more

pretrial conferences. The conferences shall be held for the purpose of

settlement negotiation, or, in the alternative, to narrow the issues for

trial, seek agreement among the parties and counsel as to the

admissibility of evidence, seek agreement as to the order in which

witnesses will be called, and otherwise provide for the speedy and

orderly conduct of trial. Absent objection placed on the record, during

a pretrial conference the court may confer with any party or parties and

their counsel outside of the presence of any other party or parties and

their respective counsel.