Estate Planning for Brooklyn, New York Property Owners

For most Kings County (Brooklyn) 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.

For a Kings County (Brooklyn) 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 Kings County (Brooklyn) home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the Office of the City Register, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Kings County (Brooklyn) property passes through the Surrogate's Court — even simple New York probates run 7+ months and start with $45 in filing fees.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Kings County (Brooklyn)

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Kings County (Brooklyn) property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the Office of the City Register 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.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Kings County (Brooklyn) are recorded with the Office of the City Register at 210 Joralemon Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Phone: (212) 487-6300.

The Office of the City Register charges $37 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Kings County (Brooklyn) comes to $42. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Kings County (Brooklyn) accepts electronic recording through ACRIS.

Recording Office Record

Office of the City Register

Kings County (Brooklyn) · City Register

Address

210 Joralemon Street, 2nd FloorBrooklyn, NY 11201

E-recording

Available via ACRISE-recording info →
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$37
Each additional page$5
TP-584-NYC Combined Real Estate Transfer Tax Return (NYC)no separate City Register filing fee
RP-5217-NYC Real Property Transfer Report (Residential/Agricultural)$125
RP-5217-NYC Real Property Transfer Report (Commercial/Other)$250
NYC-RPT NYC Real Property Transfer Tax Returnno fee on a deed; $100 to file the RPTT for non-deed transfers
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

NYC Department of Finance Schedule of Property Recording Fees and Taxes; CPLR § 8021; RPL § 333(3)(ii)

Verified September 8, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Kings County (Brooklyn)

Solo PracticeBrooklyn, NY

Alatsas Law Firm

Serves 5 counties

Brooklyn (Kings County) practice led by Theodore Alatsas, working the Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, New York and Nassau County Surrogate's Courts for nearly 30 years. Handles probate, administration proceedings, and trust administration, plus wills and trusts, Medicaid and long-term care planning, and asset protection. Runs estate planning workshops.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
2115 Avenue UBrooklyn, NY 11229
Free consultation

FirmCollege Point, NY

Albert Maimone & Associates, P.C.

Serves 7 counties

College Point (Queens) firm with dedicated pages for will probate, estate administration, lost-will hearings, and spousal and beneficiary-rights disputes, taking executors from validating the will through distributing what is left, and petitioning the Surrogate's Court to admit a copy when the original will cannot be found. Also drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and testamentary guardian appointments for minor children. Serves all five New York City boroughs plus Nassau and Suffolk, and offers a free consultation and case evaluation on probate matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbate

Office
127-16 14th AvenueCollege Point, NY 11356
Free consultation

FirmBrooklyn, NY

Beress & Zalkind PLLC

Serves 2 counties

Sheepshead Bay firm on East 14th Street working Kings County estates out of Brooklyn's Surrogate's Court, with a second office in Manhattan. The practice covers probate, administration and all aspects of estate and trust administration, and prepares and files the estate, gift and fiduciary income tax returns that follow — work led by an attorney who is also a practising CPA.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 8 more

Office
2640 East 14th Street, Suite C1Brooklyn, NY 11235

Solo PracticeBrooklyn, NY

Bohm Law Firm, P.C.

Since 2011 · Serves 5 counties

Brooklyn firm led by Pinni Bohm with a second office in Times Square, Manhattan. Petitions the New York City Surrogate's Courts for Letters Testamentary and Letters of Administration, advises executors and administrators on their duties, oversees distributions to beneficiaries and heirs, and negotiates with estate creditors. Also litigates will and trust contests, spousal right-of-election disputes, and fiduciary-misconduct claims.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more

Office
1301 Coney Island Avenue, Suite 2ABrooklyn, NY 11230
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmBrooklyn, NY

Connors & Sullivan, Attorneys at Law, PLLC

Serves 4 counties

Bay Ridge (Brooklyn) estate and elder law firm with four further offices in Manhattan, Bayside, Middle Village and Staten Island. For executors it files the original will, contacts next of kin, collects assets and prepares income and estate tax returns, and it litigates will contests, contested accountings and contested deed transfers in Surrogate's Court. Also handles wills and trusts, special needs trusts, estate tax and capital-gains planning, and Medicaid and long-term-care planning; the initial consultation is complimentary.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 5 more

Office
7408 Fifth AvenueBrooklyn, NY 11209
Free consultation

Solo PracticeBrooklyn, NY

Jessica Wilson Law

Serves 5 counties

Brooklyn practice on Columbia Street representing executors and administrators in the Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond and Bronx Surrogate's Courts. It collects waivers and consents from distributees, gets a citation issued when an heir will not sign, opens the estate account and EIN, reviews creditor claims and files the final accounting. The first one-hour consultation is free, online or in person.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 6 more

Office
221 Columbia StreetBrooklyn, NY 11231
Free consultationVirtual consultations
See all 45 firms serving Kings County (Brooklyn)→

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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