Estate Planning & Probate in Madison County, New York
Madison County estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in 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 Madison County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Madison County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Madison County→The Probate Process in Madison 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 Madison County, probate runs through the Surrogate's Court at Madison County Courthouse, 138 North Court Street, Wampsville. The court sits in the 6th Judicial District.
Full Madison Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Surrogate's Court
Madison County · 6th Judicial District
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Madison County · County Clerk · Michael Keville
Address
Phone
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 on death certificate different from will = add as AKA.
New York Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Madison County.
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