Estate Planning for Putnam County, New York Property Owners

For most Putnam 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 Putnam 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 Putnam 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 Putnam County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Putnam 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 Putnam County are recorded with the County Clerk, led by County Clerk Michael C. Bartolotti, at 40 Gleneida Avenue, Carmel, NY 10512. Phone: (845) 808-1142. Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Summer (mid-June - mid-September): 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 Putnam County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Putnam County · County Clerk · Michael C. Bartolotti

Address

40 Gleneida AvenueCarmel, NY 10512

Fax

(845) 228-0231

Hours

Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Summer (mid-June - mid-September): 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 Putnam County

FirmRye Brook, NY

Amoruso & Amoruso LLP

Serves 3 counties

Rye Brook (Westchester County) firm serving Westchester, Putnam and Rockland families, including Carmel and Brewster. Handles probate administration, estate administration, trust administration and guardianship, alongside wills, trusts, Medicaid and long-term-care planning, and special-needs planning. Its two founders hold nearly six decades of combined experience.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
800 Westchester Avenue, Suite N-605Rye Brook, NY 10573

Solo PracticeCarmel, NY

Cory A. Levine, Attorney at Law

Serves 3 counties

Carmel solo practice filing directly with the Putnam County Surrogate's Court, which sits in the same town. Files the original will and probate petition, notifies every legal heir and beneficiary, marshals and inventories the estate's assets, settles valid debts and the final state and federal returns, and completes the formal transfer of property to the beneficiaries.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateBusiness LawReal Estate

Office
1834 Route 6Carmel, NY 10512

FirmWhite Plains, NY

Gould & Berg, LLP

Serves 3 counties

White Plains firm serving Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties. Submits a recently deceased relative's estate for probate or administration in the Surrogate's Court and carries the transfer of assets through, then litigates will contests and other estate disputes, using alternative dispute resolution where a probate fight would drain the estate. Drafts wills, powers of attorney, health care proxies and living wills alongside the firm's employment and civil-rights practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigation

Office
222 Bloomingdale Road, Suite 304White Plains, NY 10605

FirmBrewster, NY

Law Office of Andres D. Gil, PLLC

Serves 4 counties

Brewster firm representing Lower Hudson Valley families across Putnam, Dutchess, Westchester and Rockland counties. Carries executors and administrators through every stage of estate administration — the probate court filings, the deadlines and the disputes among beneficiaries — and litigates will disputes and accounting disputes, alongside Article 81 guardianship petitions and trust administration for trustees. Principal Andres D. Gil is a combat veteran and former assistant district attorney.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 6 more

Office
973 NY-22, Suite 3Brewster, NY 10509
Free consultation

Solo PracticeWappingers Falls, NY

Martin Law, PC

Since 2004 · Serves 3 counties

Wappingers Falls (Dutchess County) solo with Westchester offices in Yorktown Heights and Mt Kisco, appearing in the Dutchess County Surrogate's Court. Represents executors and court-appointed administrators from the petition through inventory, creditor notice, and final accounting, keeps out-of-state executors from having to travel, and defends the estate when heirs dispute the will. Also handles Article 81 guardianships, trust administration, Medicaid and special-needs trusts, asset protection, and nursing-home planning, and makes house calls.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate Litigationand 5 more

Office
2644 East Main StreetWappingers Falls, NY 12590
Free consultation

FirmPleasantville, NY

Meyer & Spencer PC

Since 1993 · Serves 2 counties

Pleasantville firm serving Westchester and Putnam families through probate and estate administration, with an appointment-only Mahopac office. Reviews the will, trust, deeds and beneficiary forms, files with the correct Surrogate's Court to have an executor or administrator appointed, identifies assets and notifies creditors, sells the decedent's home, and prepares the final accounting that closes the estate. Also files Article 81 guardianship petitions, including emergency applications.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
390 Bedford RoadPleasantville, NY 10570
See all 20 firms serving Putnam 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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