N.Y. Surr. Ct. Proc. Act § 203

§ 203. Jurisdiction of parties and subject matter\n The court obtains jurisdiction in every case to make a decree or other\ndetermination by the existence of the jurisdictional facts prescribed by\nstatute.\n The jurisdiction of the court is exercised by the commencement of a\nproceeding in the court. All proceedings are special proceedings and are\ncommenced by filing a petition. Personal jurisdiction of parties is\nobtained by service of process upon the parties or by submission to the\njurisdiction of the court by waiver of issuance and service of process,\nappearance of an adult competent party in person or by attorney or by\npleading.\n