Estate Planning for Saratoga County, New York Property Owners

For most Saratoga 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 Saratoga 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 Saratoga 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, Saratoga 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 Saratoga County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Saratoga County are recorded with the County Clerk, led by County Clerk Craig A. Hayner, at 40 McMaster Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. Phone: (518) 885-2213. Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Land Recordings and Court Filings: 9:00 AM - 4:15 PM.

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

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Saratoga County · County Clerk · Craig A. Hayner

Address

40 McMaster StreetBallston Spa, NY 12020

Fax

(518) 884-4726

Hours

Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Land Recordings and Court Filings: 9:00 AM - 4:15 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 Saratoga County

FirmSaratoga Springs, NY

Harris-Pero Law Firm, PLLC

Since 2015 · Serves 1 county

Saratoga Springs firm whose estate settlement practice walks executors and administrators through fiduciary appointment, collecting estate assets, paying debts, and distributing to beneficiaries, and also represents beneficiaries. Drafts wills, trusts, and health-care proxies, handles Medicaid and elder law, and runs a farm succession planning practice for farm families.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationElder Law

Office
538 Maple Avenue, Suite CSaratoga Springs, NY 12866
Virtual consultations

FirmAlbany, NY

Herzog Law Firm

Since 1946 · Serves 4 counties

Albany firm at Corporate Woods, with offices in Saratoga Springs, Kingston, and Queensbury, taking families through probate, estate administration, and trust administration: re-titling assets, transfers to surviving joint owners and named beneficiaries, and the income, estate, and gift tax issues that arise at death. Litigates will contests, construction proceedings, and contested accountings, and practises elder law, Medicaid, and special-needs planning. Has served the greater Capital Region, Hudson Valley, and Adirondacks since 1946.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
7 Southwoods BoulevardAlbany, NY 12211
Free consultation

FirmClifton Park, NY

Ianniello Anderson, P.C.

Since 1971 · Serves 3 counties

Clifton Park firm, with offices in Albany, Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls, handling Surrogate's Court work for Capital Region executors. The estate administration team files the probate petition, notices interested parties, marshals and values assets, pays debts and taxes and distributes what remains — including contested wills, out-of-state heirs, and ancillary probate for property held in other states.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 7 more

Office
805 Route 146Clifton Park, NY 12065

FirmSaratoga Springs, NY

Jones Steves Grassi LLP

Serves 1 county

Saratoga Springs firm handling estate administration for families filing in the Saratoga County Surrogate's Court. The attorneys represent executors, administrators and trustees through every stage of a Surrogate's Court proceeding, and the firm's own litigation practice takes on adversarial challenges to probate rather than referring them out.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
68 West AvenueSaratoga Springs, NY 12866

FirmTroy, NY

Pattison, Sampson, Ginsberg & Griffin, PLLC

Since 1813 · Serves 4 counties

Troy firm at 22 First Street serving Albany, Troy, Schenectady and Saratoga in the Capital District, tracing its roots to 1813. Handles estate and trust administration: probating wills, intestate administration, beneficiary and fiduciary representation, contested accountings, will contests and right-of-election claims, plus Medicaid planning and guardianship petitions.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate Litigationand 4 more

Office
22 First StreetTroy, NY 12180
Free consultation

FirmLatham, NY

Pierro, Connor & Strauss, LLC

Serves 13 counties

Capital Region trusts and estates practice in Latham, with offices in New York City, Garden City, Hudson and Lake Placid and more than 280 years of combined attorney experience. Handles estate and trust administration, probate, estate and trust litigation, guardianship under Article 81 and 17-A, Medicaid and special needs planning, and tax planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationTrust Litigationand 5 more

Office
43 British American BoulevardLatham, NY 12110
Free consultationVirtual consultations
See all 12 firms serving Saratoga 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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