Estate Planning for Ulster County, New York Property Owners

For most Ulster 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 Ulster 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 Ulster 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 Ulster County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Ulster 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 Ulster County are recorded with the County Clerk, led by County Clerk Taylor Bruck, at 244 Fair Street, 2nd Floor, Kingston, NY 12401. Phone: (845) 340-3288. Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:45 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 Ulster County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Ulster County · County Clerk · Taylor Bruck

Address

244 Fair Street, 2nd FloorKingston, NY 12401

Fax

(845) 340-3299

Hours

Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:45 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 Ulster County

FirmKingston, NY

Cook, Kurtz & Murphy, P.C.

Since 1905 · Serves 1 county

Kingston firm a block from the Ulster County Courthouse, established in 1905 and the second oldest law firm in Ulster County. Acts as counsel to executors through probate and estate administration, and serves as executor or estate administrator itself when the named person is unable to serve or the heirs cannot agree. Handles the work of settling an estate — appraising assets, settling creditor claims, locating beneficiaries, paying estate taxes and executing deed transfers — alongside wills, trusts, special-needs trusts and Medicaid planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more

Office
85 Main StreetKingston, NY 12401

Solo PracticeGoshen, NY

Mark G. Aberasturi, Attorney at Law P.C.

Serves 4 counties

Goshen solo practice a few minutes from the Orange County Surrogate's Court, also serving Ulster, Sullivan and Rockland. Walks a surviving spouse or child through being appointed executor or administrator, marshaling scattered accounts, filing the inventory, paying creditors and taxes, filing the decedent's final return and the estate return, and filing the final account with the court. Former chairman of the Orange County Bar Association Elder Law Committee.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 3 more

Office
30 Matthews StreetGoshen, NY 10924
Free consultation

FirmKingston, NY

Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello, LLP

Since 1870 · Serves 1 county

Kingston firm one block from the Ulster County Surrogate's Court, handling probate, intestate administration, small estates under $30,000, and the cases where no administration is needed at all. Guides the administrator through notifying creditors and heirs, cataloging and valuing property, prudently managing assets until distribution, paying taxes and debts, and closing the estate.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 4 more

Office
255 Fair StreetKingston, NY 12401

FirmKingston, NY

Ryan Roach & Ryan, LLP

Serves 2 counties

Kingston firm at 115 Green Street working the Ulster County Surrogate's Court, and Poughkeepsie for Dutchess estates. Walks executors and administrators through the questions that stall an estate — who gets legal notice, which debts are paid, whether the executor may be compensated — and tracks the filing clock: inventory six months after appointment, creditor claims at seven, estate taxes at nine. Takes referrals of contested wills.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more

Office
115 Green StreetKingston, NY 12401
Free consultation

FirmPoughkeepsie, NY

Van DeWater & Van DeWater, LLP

Since 1914 · Serves 6 counties

Poughkeepsie firm at 85 Civic Center Plaza representing executors and administrators in the Dutchess County Surrogate's Court. Handles the collection and marshalling of estate assets, appraisal of real and personal property, payment of debts, expenses and taxes, and final distribution to beneficiaries, plus estate accounting and will-contest proceedings when a family disputes the estate.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 5 more

Office
85 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 101Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

FirmWhite Plains, NY

Walsh & Amicucci LLP

Serves 13 counties

White Plains trusts-and-estates firm whose six attorneys serve the New York City metro area from one Westchester Avenue office. Handles probate and estate administration for executors, administrators and trustees, trust administration and modification, trust and estate litigation and fiduciary accountings, estate and gift tax, Medicaid protective trusts, and Article 17, 17-A and 81 guardianships.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
1133 Westchester Avenue, Suite S321White Plains, NY 10604
See all 19 firms serving Ulster 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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