Estate Planning for Livingston County, New York Property Owners

For most Livingston 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 Livingston 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 Livingston 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 Livingston County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Livingston County are recorded with the County Clerk, led by County Clerk Kristine M. Secor, at 6 Court Street, Room 201, Government Center, Geneseo, NY 14454. Phone: (585) 243-7010. Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Thu 8:00 AM - 6:00 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 Livingston County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Livingston County · County Clerk · Kristine M. Secor

Address

6 Court Street, Room 201, Government CenterGeneseo, NY 14454

Fax

(585) 243-7928

Hours

Mon-Wed, Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Thu 8:00 AM - 6:00 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

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Verified September 8, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Livingston County

FirmWarsaw, NY

Foote & Meyer, PLLC

Since 2017 · Serves 2 counties

Small-town general practice with offices in Warsaw (Wyoming County) and Nunda (Livingston County), formed in 2017. Commences estate proceedings for families, probates wills, works through estate administration and the final distribution, and addresses estate and income tax concerns. Founding partner Theron A. Foote has practiced in Western New York for fifty years.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbate

Office
23 West Court Street, Suite 1Warsaw, NY 14569

FirmCanandaigua, NY

The Whitcomb Law Firm, P.C.

Serves 7 counties

Canandaigua firm representing personal representatives, executors and trustees through Ontario County Surrogate's Court administration, with a second office in Geneva. The practice handles both probate and non-probate assets, including assets held in trust, and represents beneficiaries and estate creditors. It also litigates contested estates - will contests, breach of fiduciary duty and trust disputes - on either side.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 9 more

Office
51 N Main StreetCanandaigua, NY 14424

Solo PracticeCanandaigua, NY

Kenyon & Kenyon

Canandaigua practice on North Street concentrating on elder law, estate and trust planning and administration, and long-term-care and disability planning. Edward C. "Russ" Kenyon has spent over 30 years helping clients with estates, trusts, Medicaid, and long-term-care plans, and is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. The firm returned under the Kenyon & Kenyon name on March 1, 2025.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationElder Law

Office
11 North Street, Suite 100Canandaigua, NY 14424

FirmRochester, NY

Weinstein & Randisi

Rochester (Monroe County) estate planning and elder law firm, serving communities across New York for more than 60 years. Handles estate, probate, and trust administration, estate litigation, guardianships and conservatorships, Medicaid planning, and veterans benefits. Bills flat fees and does not charge for phone calls or meetings.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
290 Linden Oaks, Suite 200Rochester, NY 14625
Free consultation

FirmLake Success, NY

Abrams Fensterman, LLP

Since 2000 · Serves 9 counties

Lake Success (Nassau County) firm guiding executors, administrators, trustees and beneficiaries through New York Surrogate's Court — probate, estate and trust administration, and contested estates and objections to a will or to fiduciary conduct. Also handles estate planning, retirement-distribution planning, Medicaid and elder law. Absorbed the Berwitz & DiTata estate practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 6 more

Office
3 Dakota Drive, Suite 300Lake Success, NY 11042

FirmBinghamton, NY

Coughlin & Gerhart LLP

Since 1898 · Serves the whole state

Binghamton (Broome County) firm tracing its lineage to 1898, with seven New York offices from Ithaca to Walton. Its trusts, estates and elder law group counsels executors, administrators and trustees through estate and trust administration, obtains Letters Testamentary and Letters of Administration, and litigates disputed executor appointments in Surrogate's Court.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 8 more

Office
99 Corporate DriveBinghamton, NY 13904
See all 8 firms serving Livingston 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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