Estate Planning & Probate in Richmond County (Staten Island), New York
There are two reasons people look up Richmond County (Staten Island) probate: to keep a family out of it, or to get a loved one's estate through it. Pick the path that fits, then work from the local Surrogate's Court 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 Richmond County (Staten Island)→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Richmond County (Staten Island) home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Richmond County (Staten Island)→The Probate Process in Richmond County (Staten Island)
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 Staten Island, probate runs through the Surrogate's Court at 18 Richmond Terrace, Room 201, Staten Island. The court sits in the 13th Judicial District.
Full Richmond County (Staten Island)probate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Surrogate's Court
Richmond County (Staten Island) · 13th Judicial District
Address
18 Richmond Terrace, Room 201Staten Island, NY 10301
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Paper filing availableE-filing optionalSelf-filing allowed
How to file probate in Richmond County (Staten Island)→Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Richmond County (Staten Island) · County Clerk · Hon. Stephen J. Fiala
Address
130 Stuyvesant Place, 2nd FloorStaten Island, NY 10301
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
E-recording
Not available
$45 base recording fee; $5 per additional page; required form fees may include 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); TOD deeds are generally transfer-tax exempt.
Full recording details →Verified March 22, 2026 · Source
Frequently Asked Questions
The Surrogate's Court for Richmond County (Staten Island) is located in Staten Island, New York. Full address, phone, hours, and e-filing details are listed on this page.
Yes. E-filing is available but optional in Richmond County (Staten Island). Many families filing without an attorney prefer paper filing at the Surrogate's Court; both are accepted.
Yes. The Surrogate's Court offers a self-help center where staff review paperwork and explain filing procedures, though they cannot give legal advice on a specific case. Call 718-675-8508 for details.
No. New York allows estates under $50,000 to use a Voluntary Administration and skip formal probate. There is no statutory waiting period. Use the New York probate decision tool to see if the estate qualifies.
When there is no will, New York's intestate succession rules decide who inherits. Spouses, children, and parents are prioritized in that order. The Richmond County (Staten Island) probate court applies the state rules without variation. See who inherits in New York for the exact order.
A revocable living trust is the cleanest way for most families to skip probate entirely. Assets titled to the trust pass to beneficiaries without court involvement, filing fees, or the Richmond County (Staten Island) probate docket. Create a revocable trust online to avoid putting your family through this process later.
New York Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Richmond County (Staten Island).
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