Estate Planning for Clinton County, New York Property Owners

For most Clinton County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.

Record a TOD deedWhere to recordLocal attorneys

For a Clinton County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Surrogate's Court. The two tools that keep a Clinton County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Clerk, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Skipping this planning step means the Surrogate's Court decides who receives the property: a simple New York probate takes 7+ months and opens with $45 in court filing fees.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Clinton County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Clinton County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Clerk during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, a New York transfer on death deed is signed with 2N.Y. Real Prop. Law 424Verified Aug 24, 2026View source witnesses and notary acknowledgmentN.Y. Real Prop. Law 424Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathN.Y. Real Prop. Law 424Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Create a New YorkTOD deed →Clinton Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Clinton County are recorded with the County Clerk, led by County Clerk Brandi B. Lloyd, at 137 Margaret Street, Suite 101, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. Phone: (518) 565-4700. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The County Clerk charges $45 per document plus $5 for every page. A 2-page transfer on death deed costs $55 to record in Clinton County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Clinton County · County Clerk · Brandi B. Lloyd

Address

137 Margaret Street, Suite 101Plattsburgh, NY 12901

Fax

(518) 565-4718

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Document fee (per document)$45
Each page$5
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
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

CPLR § 8021(a)(4) (county-adjustable); RPL § 333(3)(ii) (RP-5217 filing fee); county-published fee schedules

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 8, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Clinton County

FirmMalone, NY

Fischer, Bessette, Muldowney & McArdle, LLP

Serves 5 counties

Malone (Franklin County) firm serving the North Country for over 75 years, with offices in Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake. Handles probate administration and contested wills — undue influence, capacity and executor-misconduct disputes — and drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care proxies and special needs trusts. Estate consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more

Office
43 Golf Course RoadMalone, NY 12953
Free consultation

FirmPlattsburgh, NY

Stafford, Owens, Murnane, Kelleher, Miller, Meyer & Zedick, PLLC

Since 1990 · Serves 1 county

Plattsburgh (Clinton County) firm formed by a 1990 merger of two local practices, serving the North Country. Handles probate and estate administration, getting executors appointed, preparing estate accountings, notifying creditors, and filing estate and gift tax returns, plus wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and elder law.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
1 Cumberland AvenuePlattsburgh, NY 12901

Solo PracticePlattsburgh, NY

Law Office of Frank G. Zappala

Plattsburgh (Clinton County) general practice with over 35 years in the North Country. Handles probate and estate administration, wills and trusts, powers of attorney and guardianship, and real estate, alongside personal injury, workers' compensation, and Social Security disability.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateGuardianshipReal Estate

Office
142 Margaret StreetPlattsburgh, NY 12901

FirmCanton, NY

Ducharme, Goldie & Adams P.C.

Since 2022

Canton (St. Lawrence County) general practice founded in February 2022 by three attorneys with a long history in the town — Gerald J. Ducharme, Scott B. Goldie and Thomas R. Adams. Its wills, trusts and estates work covers drafting wills and trusts and representing clients in probate and the administration of estates, alongside real estate transactions, family law and municipal law.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbate

Office
2 Judson StreetCanton, NY 13617

FirmUtica, NY

Hilton Estate & Elder Law, LLC

Since 2012 · Serves 2 counties

Utica firm with offices in Boonville and Lowville whose post-death side handles probate and trust administration, staffed by a dedicated probate paralegal alongside the attorneys. Its planning side covers wills, powers of attorney and health care proxies, revocable and asset-protection trusts, nursing-home and Medicaid planning, tax planning, and special-needs planning. Partner Robert K. Hilton III has helped over 600 families protect assets or qualify for Medicaid and has prevailed in over 50 Medicaid fair hearings.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
2100 Genesee StreetUtica, NY 13502
Free consultation

FirmLatham, NY

Pierro, Connor & Strauss, LLC

Serves 13 counties

Capital Region trusts and estates practice in Latham, with offices in New York City, Garden City, Hudson and Lake Placid and more than 280 years of combined attorney experience. Handles estate and trust administration, probate, estate and trust litigation, guardianship under Article 81 and 17-A, Medicaid and special needs planning, and tax planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationTrust Litigationand 5 more

Office
43 British American BoulevardLatham, NY 12110
Free consultationVirtual consultations
See all 10 firms serving Clinton County→

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.

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