Skip to main content
SimplyTrust
SimplyTrust
Create a TrustNewForms & ToolsFreeResourcesStates
LoginGet started
FormsFormsToolsTools
FormsTools
Company
AboutCareersContactFormsCreate a TrustNew
Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSecurityAI Access

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc.

SimplyTrust Logo

Every family deserves a plan. We'll help.

Get startedApp StoreGoogle Play

Forms

  • Revocable Trust
  • Last Will
  • Pour-Over Will
  • Healthcare Proxy
  • Financial POA
  • Transfer on Death Deed

Tools

  • Trust vs Will
  • Probate Calculator
  • Who Inherits
  • Estate Settlement
  • Death Tax Calculator
  • Life Insurance

Learn

  • Revocable Living Trusts
  • Last Will and Testaments
  • Articles
  • State Guides
  • Estate Law
  • Life Events

Directories

  • Law Firms
  • Financial Assets
  • Digital Assets
  • Government Agencies

Company

  • About
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Create a Trust

SimplyTrust is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal counsel, or attorney review. Information on this platform is for general informational purposes only. Use of SimplyTrust does not create an attorney-client relationship. You are solely responsible for all documents you create. For advice tailored to your circumstances, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy·Terms of Service·Security··AI Access

All content, data, and calculations are proprietary. Automated scraping, systematic downloading, or data extraction is prohibited under our Terms of Service. Product visuals are simulated for illustrative purposes and may differ from actual experience. Logos provided by Logo.dev.

A will is a wish. A trust is a plan.

Create and manage your trust online.

How it works

No probate. No public record. No court.

Estate Ledger

Every decision signed, timestamped, and hashed

Pricing

Simple, transparent pricing

Download

Get the app on iOS and Android

Home→Tools→Self-File Probate Assessment→New York→Erie County

Can You Self-File Probate in Erie County, New York?

Find out if you can handle probate yourself, see estimated cost savings vs. hiring an attorney, and get a step-by-step filing checklist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Self-filing in Erie County works best for straightforward estates with a clear will and few beneficiaries.

File at the Surrogate's Court, Erie County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202. Phone: 716-845-2560. Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Erie County requires e-filing for probate matters. Mandatory e-filing in all estate proceedings commenced in this court on or after May 28, 2020. All attorneys are subject to mandatory e-filing. Self-represented litigants are exempt under CPLR § 2111 and may file in paper format.

Erie County doesn't have a dedicated probate self-help center, so self-filers should confirm local procedures with the court clerk.

Yes, you can file probate without a lawyer in New York, though the process may require more effort depending on estate complexity.SCPA § 2307 (executor: 5% first $100K / 4% next $200K / 3% next $700K / 2.5% next $4M / 2% over $5M), SCPA § 2402(7) (graduated court petition fees: <$10K=$45, <$20K=$75, <$50K=$215, <$100K=$280, <$250K=$420, <$500K=$625, ≥$500K=$1,250), SCPA § 2402(9) ($150 objections/jury demand; $45 note of issue), SCPA § 1301 (voluntary administration, $50K personal-property cap, raised from $30K by Ch. 481 L. 2019 eff. 2019-11-25), SCPA § 1304 (no waiting period; file affidavit + death certificate immediately), SCPA § 1802 (7-month creditor claim period; runs automatically from issuance of letters; no publication required — former SCPA § 1801 repealed by Ch. 514, L. 1993). Verified 2026-05-31 via nysenate.gov primary sources.Verified May 31, 2026 Many New York courts offer self-help resources and standardized forms.

Court filing fees in New York vary by county.SCPA § 2307 (executor: 5% first $100K / 4% next $200K / 3% next $700K / 2.5% next $4M / 2% over $5M), SCPA § 2402(7) (graduated court petition fees: <$10K=$45, <$20K=$75, <$50K=$215, <$100K=$280, <$250K=$420, <$500K=$625, ≥$500K=$1,250), SCPA § 2402(9) ($150 objections/jury demand; $45 note of issue), SCPA § 1301 (voluntary administration, $50K personal-property cap, raised from $30K by Ch. 481 L. 2019 eff. 2019-11-25), SCPA § 1304 (no waiting period; file affidavit + death certificate immediately), SCPA § 1802 (7-month creditor claim period; runs automatically from issuance of letters; no publication required — former SCPA § 1801 repealed by Ch. 514, L. 1993). Verified 2026-05-31 via nysenate.gov primary sources.Verified May 31, 2026 Self-filing costs typically include the court petition fee, publication costs, and bond premiums. The filing fee is a fraction of total probate costs. See a full breakdown with the New York probate calculator.

Can You Self-File Probate in Erie County, New York?

Self-filing probate in Erie County means working directly with the Surrogate's Court. This tool evaluates whether self-filing is feasible for your estate.

Probate filings for Erie County go through the Surrogate's Court at Erie County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202. Phone: 716-845-2560. Email: eriesurrogatehelp@nycourts.gov.

Erie County requires e-filing for probate proceedings. Mandatory e-filing in all estate proceedings commenced in this court on or after May 28, 2020. All attorneys are subject to mandatory e-filing. Self-represented litigants are exempt under CPLR § 2111 and may file in paper format.

Erie County doesn't have a dedicated probate self-help center, so confirm forms, copies, and appointment requirements with the court clerk.

Request for Surrogate's Court Action form required: Request for Surrogate's Court Action form must be filed as the first document uploaded with each filing, filed as a stand-alone document. Death certificate original not required: Court does not require original death certificate; e-filing the original or an attorney certified copy is sufficient.

For smaller estates under $50,000, New York offers Voluntary Administration that can avoid formal probate entirely.

Your kids shouldn't have to do this.

Court filings, creditor windows, frozen accounts — a revocable living trust skips them all.

Get startedApp StoreGoogle Play

New York Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering New York probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

$

Total probate assets (exclude beneficiary-designated accounts)

Can you self-file probate?

Enter your state and estate value to get a personalized recommendation with estimated cost savings.

Score-based assessment with reasoning

Cost comparison vs. hiring an attorney

This tool provides general information about self-filing probate and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.

SimplyTrust

We're here when you're ready

Is this your situation?

Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

Named as Executor

Named as Executor

Being named executor means navigating probate, managing assets, and distributing the estate. What's expected, what you can charge, and how to start.

Learn more