Estate Planning for Madison County, New York Property Owners

For most Madison 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.

For a Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Madison 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.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Madison County are recorded with the County Clerk, led by County Clerk Michael Keville, at 138 N Court Street, Building 4, Wampsville, NY 13163. Phone: (315) 366-2261. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 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 Madison County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Madison County · County Clerk · Michael Keville

Address

138 N Court Street, Building 4Wampsville, NY 13163

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 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

Verified September 8, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Madison County

FirmSyracuse, NY

Davies Law Firm, P.C.

Since 1993 · Serves 6 counties

Syracuse firm founded in 1993 to focus exclusively on estate and long-term planning, serving Onondaga, Madison, Oneida, Cortland, Oswego and Cayuga counties. Walks executors and administrators through Onondaga County Surrogate's Court — petitioning for Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, requesting Preliminary Letters for urgent tasks, small-estate voluntary administration under $50,000, and marshaling assets into an estate account. Also handles living trust administration and funding, irrevocable trusts, and Medicaid and elder-law planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
210 E Fayette StreetSyracuse, NY 13202
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmSyracuse, NY

MCV Law

Serves 7 counties

Syracuse firm of twelve attorneys with offices in Auburn and Chittenango, guiding families through New York probate court, including estates where there is no will and the administrator must distribute under New York intestacy law, and estates where a will fails the state's execution requirements. Also drafts wills and powers of attorney. Gary J. Valerino manages the estate planning and administration practice with Paula M. Highers. Consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate Administration

Office
511 East Fayette StreetSyracuse, NY 13202
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

FirmOneida, NY

Vindigni, Betro, & Getman PLLC

Since 2001 · Serves 2 counties

Downtown Oneida (Madison County) firm serving central New York since 2001, with a second office in Hamilton. Handles probate and estate administration, wills and revocable and irrevocable trusts, Medicaid planning, powers of attorney, health care proxies, and life estates. Free initial consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateElder LawMedicaid Planning

Office
146 Madison StreetOneida, NY 13421
Free consultation

FirmSyracuse, NY

CDH Law PLLC

Syracuse (Onondaga County) firm representing executors, administrators, trustees and beneficiaries across Central New York in the Surrogate's Courts. Handles probate and estate administration and litigates objections to a will or a trust, alongside estate planning, wills and trusts, and Medicaid trusts.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more

Office
211 Tompkins StreetSyracuse, NY 13204

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 Madison 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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