Estate Planning for Ontario County, New York Property Owners

For most Ontario 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 Ontario 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 Ontario 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.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Ontario County property passes through the Surrogate's Court — even simple New York probates run 7+ months and start with $45 in filing fees.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Ontario County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Ontario County are recorded with the County Clerk, led by County Clerk Jean Chrisman, at 20 Ontario Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424. Phone: (585) 396-4200. Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

The County Clerk charges $45 per document plus $5 for every page. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Ontario County comes to $55. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Ontario County · County Clerk · Jean Chrisman

Address

20 Ontario StreetCanandaigua, NY 14424

Hours

Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 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

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Verified September 8, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Ontario County

Solo PracticeWaterloo, NY

Bonney Law Firm, PLLC

Serves 7 counties

Waterloo (Seneca County) firm practicing in the heart of the Finger Lakes for four generations, serving Seneca, Ontario, Wayne, Yates, Cayuga and Schuyler counties. Represents executors and administrators through appointment, notifying next-of-kin, applying for the estate EIN, valuing and liquidating assets, filing the court inventory and estate tax returns, negotiating with creditors, accounting to beneficiaries and distributing the estate. Also handles Medicaid and nursing-home planning, wills and trusts, and elder law; initial probate consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
20 West Main StreetWaterloo, NY 13165
Free consultation

Solo PracticeCanandaigua, NY

Finger Lakes Attorney PLLC

Since 2022 · Serves 2 counties

Canandaigua (Ontario County) solo practice working out of a former Town of Hopewell schoolhouse on Route 5 and 20. Guides Finger Lakes families through estate administration and probate start to finish, and handles wills, health care proxies, powers of attorney, irrevocable asset protection trusts and Medicaid applications. Free consultations in person, by phone or over Zoom.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more

Office
3678 State Route 5 and 20Canandaigua, NY 14424
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmPalmyra, NY

Morell Law, PLLC

Serves 3 counties

Palmyra firm filing for Wayne County families in the Wayne County Surrogate's Court. Morell Law probates wills and handles the administration and settlement of estates, working with the family and beneficiaries to transfer assets and guiding them through the income, estate and gift tax issues that follow a death.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateTax Planningand 2 more

Office
224 East Main StreetPalmyra, NY 14522
Free consultation

Solo PracticePittsford, NY

The Law Office of Michael Robinson, P.C.

Since 1986 · Serves 2 counties

Pittsford practice serving Rochester, Naples and the Finger Lakes, opened by Michael Robinson in 1986 and concentrated on estate planning. Guides executors, personal representatives and trust administrators through probate and trust administration, and represents beneficiaries and heirs, alongside Medicaid and special needs planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationElder Lawand 3 more

Office
1163 Pittsford-Victor Road, Suite 120Pittsford, NY 14534

FirmCanandaigua, NY

The Whitcomb Law Firm, P.C.

Serves 7 counties

Canandaigua firm representing personal representatives, executors and trustees through Ontario County Surrogate's Court administration, with a second office in Geneva. The practice handles both probate and non-probate assets, including assets held in trust, and represents beneficiaries and estate creditors. It also litigates contested estates - will contests, breach of fiduciary duty and trust disputes - on either side.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 9 more

Office
51 N Main StreetCanandaigua, NY 14424

Solo PracticeCanandaigua, NY

Kenyon & Kenyon

Canandaigua practice on North Street concentrating on elder law, estate and trust planning and administration, and long-term-care and disability planning. Edward C. "Russ" Kenyon has spent over 30 years helping clients with estates, trusts, Medicaid, and long-term-care plans, and is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. The firm returned under the Kenyon & Kenyon name on March 1, 2025.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationElder Law

Office
11 North Street, Suite 100Canandaigua, NY 14424
See all 11 firms serving Ontario 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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