Estate Planning & Probate in Hamilton County, New York
There are two reasons people look up Hamilton County probate: to keep a family out of it, or to get a loved one's estate through 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 Hamilton County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Hamilton County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Hamilton County→The Probate Process in Hamilton 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 Hamilton County, probate runs through the Surrogate's Court at 102 County View Drive, Lake Pleasant. The court sits in the 4th Judicial District.
Full Hamilton Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Surrogate's Court
Hamilton County · 4th Judicial District
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Hamilton County · County Clerk · RaChelle M. Martz
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 filing, run NYSCEF inquiry on decedent last name with first initial. Contact court to check for wills filed for safekeeping. Case name must be identical to name on will. No punctuation or spaces. Name differences between will/death certificate added as AKA.
New York Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Hamilton County.
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