Estate Planning & Probate in Broome County, New York
Broome County estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in it. This page points you to the right path—planning ahead, or settling an estate at the Surrogate's Court.
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 Broome County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Broome County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Broome County→The Probate Process in Broome 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 Broome County, probate runs through the Surrogate's Court at Broome County Courthouse, 92 Court Street, Binghamton. The court sits in the 6th Judicial District.
Full Broome Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Surrogate's Court
Broome County · 6th Judicial District
Address
Broome County Courthouse, 92 Court StreetBinghamton, NY 13901
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Paper filing availableE-filing optionalSelf-filing allowed
How to file probate in Broome County→Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Broome County · County Clerk · Aaron M. Martin
Address
60 Hawley Street, 3rd FloorBinghamton, NY 13901Mailing: PO Box 2062, Binghamton, NY 13902
Phone
Fax
(607) 778-2243
Hours
Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 3:45 PM (recordings); 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (searching)
E-recording
Not available
$45 base recording fee; $5 per additional page; required form fees may include TP-584 Combined Real Estate Transfer Tax Return ($5), RP-5217 Real Property Transfer Report (Residential/Agricultural) ($125), RP-5217 Real Property Transfer Report (Commercial/Other) ($250); TOD deeds are generally transfer-tax exempt.
Full recording details →Verified March 22, 2026 · Source
Frequently Asked Questions
The Surrogate's Court for Broome County is located in Binghamton, New York. Full address, phone, hours, and e-filing details are listed on this page.
Yes. E-filing is available but optional in Broome County. Many families filing without an attorney prefer paper filing at the Surrogate's Court; both are accepted.
No. New York allows estates under $50,000 to use a Voluntary Administration and skip formal probate. There is no statutory waiting period. Use the New York probate decision tool to see if the estate qualifies.
When there is no will, New York's intestate succession rules decide who inherits. Spouses, children, and parents are prioritized in that order. The Broome County probate court applies the state rules without variation. See who inherits in New York for the exact order.
A revocable living trust is the cleanest way for most families to skip probate entirely. Assets titled to the trust pass to beneficiaries without court involvement, filing fees, or the Broome County probate docket. Create a revocable trust online to avoid putting your family through this process later.
New York Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Broome County.
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