N.Y. Real Property Law Section 274
Transfers and mortgages of interest in decedents’ estates

Every conveyance, assignment, or other transfer of, and every mortgage or other charge upon the interest, or any part thereof, of any person in the estate of a decedent which is situated within this state, shall be in writing, and shall be acknowledged or proved in the manner required to entitle conveyances of real property to be recorded. Any such instrument may also be recorded as hereinafter provided; and if not so recorded, it is void against any subsequent purchaser or mortgagee of the same interest or any part thereof, in good faith and for a valuable consideration, whose conveyance or mortgage is first duly recorded. If such interest is entirely in the real property of a decedent, the conveyance or mortgage shall be recorded in the office of the recording officer where such real property is situated. If such interest is in both the personal and the real property of a decedent the conveyance or mortgage shall be recorded in the office of the surrogate issuing letters testamentary or letters of administration upon the said decedent’s estate, or if no such letters have been issued, then in the office of the surrogate having jurisdiction to issue the same, and also in the office of the said recording officer. Such a conveyance or mortgage when so recorded, shall be indexed under the name of the decedent, in a book to be kept for the purpose by each recording officer. The person presenting any such instrument for record shall pay to the clerk of the surrogate’s court a fee of ten cents for each folio. Such filing or recording shall not be deemed notice of such conveyance, assignment or other transfer of, or mortgage or other lien or charge upon the interest, or any part thereof of any person in the estate of a decedent which is situated within the state, so as to charge the legal representative of the estate with liability for payment to a legatee or other beneficiary of an estate unless and until he shall have received actual notice of such conveyance, assignment or other transfer.

Source: Section 274 — Transfers and mortgages of interest in decedents' estates, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/RPP/274 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 3, 2026).

240
Definitions and use of terms 240–B
Certain conveyances authorized 240–C
Joint tenancy severance 241
Ancient conveyances abolished 242
Disclosure prior to the sale of real property 243
Grant of fee or freehold 244
When grant takes effect 245
Estate which passes by grant or devise 246
Certain deeds declared grants 247
Conveyance by tenant for life or years of greater estate than possessed 248
Effect of conveyance where property is leased 249
Covenants in mortgages 251
Covenants not implied 252
Lineal and collateral warranties abolished 253
Construction of covenants in grants of freehold interests 254
Construction of clauses and covenants in mortgages and bonds or notes 254–A
Right of election of mortgagee in certain cases 254–B
Limitation on late charges 254–C
Right to a copy of real property appraisals and consumer reports in certain cases 254–D
Fees by mortgagee for direct payment of real property taxes by mortgagor prohibited 255
Construction of grant of appurtenances and of all the rights and estate of grantor 256
Construction of grant in executor’s or trustee’s deed of appurtenances, and of the estate of testator and grantor 257
Covenants bind representatives of grantor and mortgagor and inure to the benefit of whom 258
Short forms of deeds and mortgages 259–C
Provision in lease of real property for waiver of trial by jury in actions for personal injury or property damage 260
Lands adversely held may be conveyed or mortgaged 261
Maintenance of telegraph or other electric wires raises no presumption of grant 265
Fraudulent intent, question of fact 265–A
Home equity theft prevention 265–B
Distressed property consulting contracts 266
Rights of purchaser or incumbrancer for valuable consideration protected 267
Conveyances with power to revoke, determine or alter 268
Disaffirmance of fraudulent act by executor and others 269
When remainderman may pay interest owed by life tenant 270
Powers of courts of equity not abridged 271
Construction of covenants in mortgages on leases of real property and bonds or notes 272
Construction of grant of appurtenances, and all of the rights and estate of the mortgagor 273
What form of mortgage on lease of real property 274
Transfers and mortgages of interest in decedents’ estates 274–A
Certificate of principal amount unpaid on mortgages of real property 275
Certificate of discharge of mortgage required 276
Effect of certain easements on the right to invest in mortgages 277
Modification and extension of mortgage investment 277–A
Powers of fiduciaries and others holding guaranteed mortgages or mortgage investments 278
Exchange of mortgage investment 278–A
Sale or exchange of certain real property or mortgage investments therein authorized 279
Graduated payment mortgage 280
Reverse mortgage loans for persons sixty years of age or older 280–A
Reverse mortgage loans for persons seventy years of age or older 280–B
Federal home equity conversion mortgage regulation 280–D
Federal home equity conversion mortgage default and foreclosure regulation 281
Credit line mortgage 282
Mortgagor’s right to recover attorneys’ fees in actions or proceedings arising out of foreclosures of residential property 283
Limits on amount of flood insurance required by mortgagee
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Verified:
Jan. 3, 2026

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 274. Transfers & mortgages of interest in decedents' estates's source at nysenate​.gov

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