Estate Planning & Probate in Albany County, New York
Albany County estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in it. Start with your situation below; both paths use Albany County's actual court and recording details.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the Surrogate's Court, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in Albany County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Albany County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Albany County→The Probate Process in Albany County
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Albany County, probate runs through the Surrogate's Court at Albany County Courthouse, 16 Eagle Street, Room 123, Albany. The court sits in the 3rd Judicial District. Probate e-filing in Albany County runs through nycourts.gov, not the iappscontent.courts.state.ny.us portal used by most New York counties.
Full Albany Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Surrogate's Court
Albany County · 3rd Judicial District
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Albany County · County Clerk · Bruce A. Hidley
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
$45 per document plus $5 for every page; a 2-page TOD deed records for $55; TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax.
Full recording details →Verified September 8, 2026 · Source
New York Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Albany County.
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