Estate Planning & Probate in Onondaga County, New York
Most Onondaga County estate questions come down to one fork: avoid probate before a death, or work through it after one. Start with your situation below; both paths use Onondaga County's actual court and recording details.
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 Onondaga County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Onondaga County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Onondaga County→The Probate Process in Onondaga 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 Onondaga County, probate runs through the Surrogate's Court at Onondaga County Courthouse, 401 Montgomery Street, Syracuse. The court sits in the 5th Judicial District. Onondaga County shares the 5th Judicial District with Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida and Oswego.
Full Onondaga Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Surrogate's Court
Onondaga County · 5th Judicial District
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Onondaga County · County Clerk · Emily E. Bersani
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
$45.5 per document plus $5 for every page; a 2-page TOD deed records for $55.5; TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax.
Full recording details →Verified September 8, 2026 · Source
Local Procedures at the Surrogate's Court
Court provides information to self-represented users on procedural matters, rules, and statutes. Uniform forms and instructions available in Room 209.
New York Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Onondaga County.
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