Estate Planning for Tompkins County, New York Property Owners

For most Tompkins 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 Tompkins 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 Tompkins 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 Tompkins County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Tompkins County are recorded with the County Clerk, led by County Clerk Maureen Reynolds, at 320 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850. Phone: (607) 274-5431. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 4:30 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 Tompkins County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Tompkins County accepts electronic recording through CSC (Corporation Service Company), Simplifile, eRecording Partners Network (ePN).

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Tompkins County · County Clerk · Maureen Reynolds

Address

320 N. Tioga StreetIthaca, NY 14850

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM

E-recording

Available via CSC (Corporation Service Company), Simplifile, eRecording Partners Network (ePN)E-recording info →
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 Tompkins County

FirmVestal, NY

Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP

Since 1927 · Serves 4 counties

Vestal firm outside Binghamton with offices in Ithaca, Whitney Point, and Montrose, Pennsylvania. Its trusts and estates group supports executors, trustees, and beneficiaries through estate and trust administration and contested and uncontested probate, and its litigators handle estate controversies. Best Lawyers ranks it the region's only first-tier Trusts & Estates firm; founded in 1927.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate Litigationand 5 more

Office
450 Plaza DriveVestal, NY 13850

FirmCorning, NY

Rossettie Rosettie & Martino LLP

Since 1979 · Serves 5 counties

Corning firm (Steuben County) serving the Southern Tier since 1979, with seven attorneys. Its trusts and estates practice covers estates, probate and administration, guardianship proceedings, wills, special needs trusts, powers of attorney and health care proxies, plus Medicaid planning and applications.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationElder Lawand 4 more

Office
269 West Pulteney StreetCorning, NY 14830

Solo PracticeIthaca, NY

Silverberg Law Office

Serves 1 county

Solo practice at 505 Snyder Hill Road in Ithaca, near East Hill Plaza at the corner of Quarry Road, serving Ithaca, Dryden, Caroline and other nearby communities. Handles wills and trusts, estate planning, powers of attorney and health care proxies, alongside residential real estate closings and business formation.

PracticesEstate Planning

Office
505 Snyder Hill RoadIthaca, NY 14850
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmIthaca, NY

The Law Office of Serenna L. McCloud, Esq., PLLC

Serves 1 county

Ithaca firm representing executors and beneficiaries in Tompkins County Surrogate's Court proceedings. The practice files the probate and administration petitions that open an estate, handles petitions for recovery of real property, and represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries through the administration. Estate work sits alongside residential and commercial real estate closings for the same Ithaca-area families.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 3 more

Office
310 N. Aurora St., 2nd FloorIthaca, NY 14850
Free consultation

FirmElmira, NY

DeFilippo Law Firm P.L.L.C.

Since 1934

Elmira (Chemung County) firm on West Water Street, serving the Elmira area since 1934 and now in its third generation under James E. DeFilippo. Represents executors and trustees through estate and trust administration — protecting assets for beneficiaries, collecting outstanding assets and income, paying valid bills, filing federal and state estate, gift and fiduciary income tax returns, calculating tax basis for beneficiaries and filing court reports. Also prepares wills, lifetime trusts, powers of attorney, health care proxies and lifetime transfers of the home with a reserved life use.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationReal Estate

Office
1225 West Water Street, Suite 1Elmira, NY 14905

Solo PracticeBinghamton, NY

Fabrizio Law Offices

Since 1985

Binghamton (Broome County) practice serving the Southern Tier since 1985 and appearing in New York's probate courts. Handles all aspects of estate and trust administration, including will-contest proceedings and family disputes, and prepares simple and complex wills and trusts. Uses tax and estate-planning techniques to reduce federal and New York estate transfer taxes.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
84 Court Street, Suite 201Binghamton, NY 13901
See all 10 firms serving Tompkins 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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