Estate Planning for Schenectady County, New York Property Owners

For most Schenectady 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 Schenectady 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 Schenectady 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 Schenectady County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Schenectady County are recorded with the County Clerk, led by County Clerk Cara M. Ackerley, at 620 State Street, 3rd Floor, Schenectady, NY 12305. Phone: (518) 388-4220. Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM; July & August: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (arrive 15 minutes before closing to record documents).

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

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Schenectady County · County Clerk · Cara M. Ackerley

Address

620 State Street, 3rd FloorSchenectady, NY 12305

Fax

(518) 388-4224

Hours

Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM; July & August: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (arrive 15 minutes before closing to record documents)
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 Schenectady County

FirmAlbany, NY

Bailey, Johnson & Peck, P.C.

Serves 3 counties

Albany firm whose estate group guides executors and trustees through Surrogate's Court, obtaining Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, filing accountings, and distributing estate proceeds. Also handles trust administration and represents beneficiaries in will contests and trust challenges. Serves Albany, Schenectady and Troy.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
5 Pine West Plaza, Suite 507Albany, NY 12205

FirmSchenectady, NY

Cioffi • Slezak • Wildgrube P.C.

Since 1995 · Serves 1 county

Schenectady firm on Erie Boulevard representing executors, administrators and trustees before the Schenectady County Surrogate's Court. The practice covers appointment of the fiduciary, collection of assets, informal and judicial accountings, fiduciary and estate tax filings and final distribution, and it also represents beneficiaries on the other side of an administration. Three salaried estate administrators work alongside the attorneys.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 6 more

Office
1473 Erie Boulevard, 1st FloorSchenectady, NY 12305

FirmSchenectady, NY

Law Office of Kathleen M. Toombs, PLLC

Serves 1 county

Schenectady elder law and estate planning practice led by Kathleen M. Toombs, self-employed since 2007. Handles probate management, trust administration, and the transfer of estate assets, plus Medicaid home-care and nursing-home planning, guardianships, health care proxies, and powers of attorney. Free initial consultation for estate planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
157 Barrett StreetSchenectady, NY 12305
Free consultation

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

Solo PracticeSchenectady, NY

Witecki Law Office

Since 1985 · Serves 5 counties

Schenectady solo practice serving families through the Schenectady County Surrogate's Court and four neighbouring counties. The office locates and values estate property, collects investment income, determines payment of claims, debts and taxes, prepares estate tax returns and distributes property to beneficiaries. Will challenges based on capacity, execution, undue influence or duress are handled in-house.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 5 more

Office
8 S. Church StreetSchenectady, NY 12305
Free consultationVirtual consultations
See all 10 firms serving Schenectady 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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