Estate Planning & Probate in Washington County, New York
Most Washington County estate questions come down to one fork: avoid probate before a death, or work through it after one. This page points you to the right path—planning ahead, or settling an estate at the Surrogate's Court.
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 Washington County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Washington County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Washington County→The Probate Process in Washington County
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 Washington County, probate runs through the Surrogate's Court at Washington County Courthouse, 383 Broadway, Building C, Fort Edward. The court sits in the 4th Judicial District. Washington County uses nycourts.gov for probate e-filing, while most New York counties file through iappscontent.courts.state.ny.us.
Full Washington Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Surrogate's Court
Washington County · 4th Judicial District
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Washington County · County Clerk · Lisa J. Boyce
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
$45 per document plus $5 for every page; a 2-page TOD deed records for $55; TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax.
Full recording details →Verified September 8, 2026 · Source
New York Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Washington County.
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