What to Do When Someone Dies in Broome County, New York
Probate in Broome County runs through the Surrogate's Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Broome County, settling their estate runs through the Surrogate's Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
Probate Court Record
Surrogate's Court
Broome County · 6th Judicial District
Address
Broome County Courthouse, 92 Court StreetBinghamton, NY 13901
Paper filing availableE-filing optionalSelf-filing allowed
Accepted paymentCredit card, Check. Fees may be paid by VISA or MasterCard via NYSCEF, or at the court by charge card, firm check, or bank/certified check. No fees to use NYSCEF. The filing is deleted if payment is not made within 2 business days after e-filing. Fees calculated under SCPA § 2402.
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.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under New York intestacy law when there is no will.
Most New York estates take 9 months to 15 months to move through this process. The 7 monthsSCPA § 1802Verified Sep 8, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
What Probate Costs in Broome County
What probate costs in Broome County, New York comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Surrogate's Court at Broome County Courthouse, 92 Court Street, Binghamton. The court is part of the 6th Judicial District.
New York charges $45 - $1,250 (based on estate value)N.Y. SCPA § 2402(1), (2), (7)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
The Surrogate's Court accepts e-filing (https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/courts/6jd/broome/surrogate/Protocol.pdf). Paper filing remains available for self-represented filers.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in New York are negotiated, typically 2.5%SCPA § 2110 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 4%SCPA § 2110 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is also statutory in New York. Family executors who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%SCPA §§ 710, 801, 805Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in New York typically runs 9 months to 15 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
How to File Probate at the Surrogate's Court
Probate documents in Broome County can be filed in person at the Surrogate's Court, by mail, or electronically. Most families handling probate themselves prefer paper filing, though e-filing is available. The court sits in the 6th Judicial District.
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.
E-Filing Also Available
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Surrogate's Court is realistic.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Before You File
Pre-filing decedent search required
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.
Request for Surrogate's Court Action required as first document
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.
Initial entry must be identical to the signature on the will. Name on death certificate different from will, or name on will not matching the signature, becomes an AKA. No punctuation or spaces in the name or AKA.
Credit card, Check. Fees may be paid by VISA or MasterCard via NYSCEF, or at the court by charge card, firm check, or bank/certified check. No fees to use NYSCEF. The filing is deleted if payment is not made within 2 business days after e-filing. Fees calculated under SCPA § 2402.
What to Bring
To file at the Surrogate's Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Transferring Property in Broome County
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Clerk.
Deeds and other real property documents for Broome County are recorded with the County Clerk, led by County Clerk Aaron M. Martin, at 60 Hawley Street, 3rd Floor, Binghamton, NY 13901. Phone: (607) 778-2451. Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 3:45 PM (recordings); 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (searching).
Documents submitted by mail go to PO Box 2062, Binghamton, NY 13902.
The County Clerk charges $45 per document plus $5 for every page.
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
New York uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Broome County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.
Probate attorney fees in New York are based on reasonable compensation — typically 2.5%SCPA § 2110 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 4%SCPA § 2110 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Broome County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Surrogate's Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Binghamton solo practice handling probate and estate administration in the Broome County Surrogate's Court. Greg Catarella works with people who have been named executor or trustee and need to move an estate through the court process, and pairs that with elder law, Medicaid planning and Article 81 guardianship petitions for families dealing with incapacity.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more
Vestal firm outside Binghamton with offices in Ithaca, Whitney Point, and Montrose, Pennsylvania. Its trusts and estates group supports executors, trustees, and beneficiaries through estate and trust administration and contested and uncontested probate, and its litigators handle estate controversies. Best Lawyers ranks it the region's only first-tier Trusts & Estates firm; founded in 1927.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate Litigationand 5 more
Solo practice in Vestal, Broome County, opened by Palmer J. Pelella in Binghamton in 2014. Handles probate and estate administration for surviving families, including disputes among beneficiaries over how assets are distributed, alongside wills, powers of attorney, health care proxies, and life-use deed transfers.
Binghamton (Broome County) practice serving the Southern Tier since 1985 and appearing in New York's probate courts. Handles all aspects of estate and trust administration, including will-contest proceedings and family disputes, and prepares simple and complex wills and trusts. Uses tax and estate-planning techniques to reduce federal and New York estate transfer taxes.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more
Elmira (Chemung County) firm on West Water Street, serving the Elmira area since 1934 and now in its third generation under James E. DeFilippo. Represents executors and trustees through estate and trust administration — protecting assets for beneficiaries, collecting outstanding assets and income, paying valid bills, filing federal and state estate, gift and fiduciary income tax returns, calculating tax basis for beneficiaries and filing court reports. Also prepares wills, lifetime trusts, powers of attorney, health care proxies and lifetime transfers of the home with a reserved life use.
Binghamton (Broome County) general-practice firm on Front Street handling probate alongside civil litigation, real estate, banking and credit union law, commercial transactions, and labor relations. Represents business, banking, institutional and individual clients across New York State and in Pennsylvania. Holds an AV rating from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Living trust assets, and accounts with a named beneficiary or surviving joint owner. These skip probate; some states charge the court fee only on what remains.
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Probate fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value, or net property after debts. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Actual costs vary significantly by county, attorney, and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
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Broome County Guides
Step-by-step tools for families in Broome County, New York.
