Estate Planning for Lewis County, New York Property Owners

For most Lewis 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 Lewis 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 Lewis 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.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Lewis County 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 Lewis County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Lewis 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 →Lewis Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Lewis County are recorded with the County Clerk, led by County Clerk Jake Moser, at 7660 N State Street, County Courthouse, Lowville, NY 13367. Phone: (315) 376-5333. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

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

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Lewis County · County Clerk · Jake Moser

Address

7660 N State Street, County CourthouseLowville, NY 13367

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:30 AM - 4:30 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

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Verified September 8, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Lewis County

Solo PracticeWatertown, NY

Schwerzmann & Wise, P.C.

Since 1985 · Serves 3 counties

Watertown practice founded in 1985, serving Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties in the North Country. Assists fiduciary clients with all aspects of estate and trust administration: preparing court documents, marshalling assets, opening bank accounts, bookkeeping, tax returns, accounting and closure. Home visits offered when needed.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust Administration

Office
220 Sterling StreetWatertown, NY 13601

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

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

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

Solo PracticeOneida, NY

Michel J. DeBottis, Attorney at Law

Serves 4 counties

Solo practitioner in Oneida (Madison County) serving Central New York — Oneida, Rome, Utica, Syracuse, Chittenango, New Hartford, Whitesboro and Lowville. Takes wills through Surrogate's Court probate and handles administration where there is no will, gathering assets, paying outstanding bills and final and administrative expenses, and distributing what remains to the beneficiaries or statutory distributees. Also handles wills, powers of attorney, health care proxies and HIPAA authorizations, and Medicaid applications, fair hearings and crisis planning, alongside a general civil practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateElder LawMedicaid Planning

Office
312 Broad StreetOneida, NY 13421

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 Lewis 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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