Estate Planning for Onondaga County, New York Property Owners

For most Onondaga 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 Onondaga 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 Onondaga 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 Onondaga County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Onondaga County are recorded with the County Clerk, led by County Clerk Emily E. Bersani, at 401 Montgomery Street, Room 200, Syracuse, NY 13202. Phone: (315) 435-2227. Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM.

The County Clerk charges $46 per document plus $5 for every page. A 2-page transfer on death deed costs $56 to record in Onondaga County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Onondaga County accepts electronic recording through CSC eRecording Solutions, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), Indecomm Global Services, Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Onondaga County · County Clerk · Emily E. Bersani

Address

401 Montgomery Street, Room 200Syracuse, NY 13202

Hours

Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

E-recording

Available via CSC eRecording Solutions, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), Indecomm Global Services, SimplifileE-recording info →
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Document fee (per document)$45.5
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 Onondaga 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

Solo PracticeSyracuse, NY

DeFio Law Firm, PLLC

Since 2003 · Serves 1 county

Syracuse (Onondaga County) practice founded in 2003, with a second office in Baldwinsville. Handles probate and post-death administration for families settling a relative's affairs, alongside wills and trusts, powers of attorney and health care proxies, and Medicaid asset protection planning such as placing the family home into a protection trust. Also does business succession and real estate work — contract review, title searches and closings. Consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 5 more

Office
774 State Fair BoulevardSyracuse, NY 13209
Free consultation

FirmEast Syracuse, NY

Koldin Law Center, P.C.

Since 1964 · Serves 1 county

East Syracuse firm assisting clients in Onondaga County, the surrounding counties, and central New York with probate and estate administration: managing the decedent's assets, collecting debts, paying bills, and getting the necessary documents filed with the court. Also handles intestate estates, where state law rather than the decedent's promises controls who inherits. Its planning side is built on Medicaid, nursing-home asset protection, and supplemental needs trusts, on flat fees. Established in 1964 by Leonard C. Koldin, the former chief welfare attorney for Onondaga County.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationSpecial Needs PlanningAsset ProtectionMedicaid Planning

Office
6661 Kirkville RoadEast Syracuse, NY 13057
Free consultation

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

FirmSyracuse, NY

Melvin & Melvin, PLLC

Since 1921 · Serves 1 county

Syracuse firm founded in 1921 that carries an estate from the decedent's death through settlement, assisting executors and trustees with the paperwork, the family exemption and non-probate assets, and distribution. When an estate turns contested it litigates will contests on incompetence or undue influence, fiduciary removal, accounting proceedings and spousal rights claims, for Onondaga County families on either side.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 8 more

Office
217 South Salina StreetSyracuse, NY 13202

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
See all 14 firms serving Onondaga 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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