Buffalo firm on Main Street handling probate, estate and trust administration, and estate litigation for estates, fiduciaries and beneficiaries. Admits wills to probate, deals with creditors, transfers probate and non-probate assets, and minimizes estate and trust income tax. Cross-border practice for Canadians holding U.S. property.
Hamburg is in Erie County.
More Trust Administration Firms in Erie County
Williamsville (Erie County) firm handling probate and estate administration across Western New York. Marshals and values assets, pays estate debts, files estate accountings, and represents beneficiaries and excluded heirs in will-validity and executor-impropriety disputes, including ancillary probate for out-of-state property. Free 30-minute consultation.
Probate in Erie County
Probate Court Record
Erie County Surrogate's Court
Erie County · 8th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
Erie County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Erie County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Erie County? →Settling an estate in Erie County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in New York
Free New York forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for New York.
$12/month
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Free
Pour-Over Will
In New York, a pour-over will is signed before 2EPTL § 3-2.1Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in New York
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in New York: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for New York.
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in New York happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's trust statuteN.Y. EPTL Article 7Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
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What's Fair Trustee Compensation?
In New York, trustee compensation follows a statutory fee scheduleNY SCPA § 2309; NY SCPA § 2312 (corporate trustees); NY SCPA § 2313 (multiple trustees)Verified Sep 18, 2026View source unless the trust instrument sets a different amount. The schedule is an annual commission on principal.
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How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in New York: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 270 days22 NYCRR 207.20Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 7 monthsSCPA 1802, 1803, 1810, 1811; EPTL 11-1.5Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 7 months to 9 months.
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Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
New York requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040N.Y. Tax Law § 601(c) cl. (vii); Chapter 59, Laws of 2025 (Part B)Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in New York take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces ordinary income tax at the state's regular ratesNY Tax Law Article 22 § 601(a)–(c) — rate schedules; § 601(c) covers "resident unmarried individuals, resident married individuals filing separate returns and resident estates and trusts"Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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