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. Broome County uses nycourts.gov for probate e-filing, while most New York counties file through iappscontent.courts.state.ny.us.
Full Broome Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Surrogate's Court
Broome County · 6th Judicial District
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Broome County · County Clerk · Aaron M. Martin
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
Local Procedures at the Surrogate's Court
Before entering an initial filing, run a NYSCEF inquiry on the decedent's last name with first initial to determine if a file is already open, and ascertain whether another will for the decedent is on file with the court (e.g., filed for safekeeping). The court charges for searches and does not accept search requests by phone. The Request for Surrogate's Court Action form must be the first document uploaded with each filing, filed as a stand-alone document. Prepare a new form for each subsequent filing; use the Non-Proceeding Relief page (p.2) when requesting court-certified documents or Certificates of Appointment.
New York Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Broome County.
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