Estate Planning & Probate in Westchester County, New York
Westchester County estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in it. 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 Westchester County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Westchester County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Westchester County→The Probate Process in Westchester 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 Westchester County, probate runs through the Surrogate's Court at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, 19th Floor, White Plains. The court sits in the 9th Judicial District. Westchester County shares the 9th Judicial District with Dutchess, Orange, Putnam and Rockland.
Full Westchester Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Surrogate's Court
Westchester County · 9th Judicial District
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Westchester County · County Clerk · Thomas Roach
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
$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
Local Procedures at the Surrogate's Court
The Surrogate's Court schedules probate hearings Wednesdays at 9:30 AM.
For all e-filed cases, correspondence must be electronically filed. Letters to court must be e-filed, not mailed separately. The court calendar is regularly called on Wednesdays at 9:30 AM. Failure to appear may result in default.
New York Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Westchester County.
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