Estate Planning & Probate in Ontario County, New York
Ontario County estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in it. Start with your situation below; both paths use Ontario 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 Ontario County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Ontario County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Ontario County→The Probate Process in Ontario 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 Ontario County, probate runs through the Surrogate's Court at 27 North Main Street, Canandaigua. The court sits in the 7th Judicial District.
Full Ontario Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Surrogate's Court
Ontario County · 7th Judicial District
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Ontario County · County Clerk · Jean Chrisman
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 Ontario County.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
