Estate Planning & Probate in Franklin County, New York
Franklin County estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in it. Pick the path that fits, then work from the local Surrogate's Court 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 Franklin County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Franklin County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Franklin County→The Probate Process in Franklin 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 Franklin County, probate runs through the Surrogate's Court at Franklin County Court, 355 West Main Street, Malone. The court sits in the 4th Judicial District. Probate e-filing in Franklin County runs through nycourts.gov, not the iappscontent.courts.state.ny.us portal used by most New York counties.
Full Franklin Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Surrogate's Court
Franklin County · 4th Judicial District
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Franklin County · County Clerk · Kip Cassavaw
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 Franklin County.
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