Notes for the Legal Community Updated 11/29/11
published by Paralegal Services of Buffalo (716) 852-2028

This page contains information for the legal community in Erie County, New York on topics such as: new rules in court procedures and other changes that affect the practice of law.

Next court holiday: 12/26/11 Christmas Day
Family Court, County Court, and the Erie County Clerk's Office, Surrogates, Buffalo City Court, and Supreme Court are closed.
District & Bankruptcy Court, the Post Office and Banks are closed. We are closed .

New fees at Bankruptcy Court effective 11/1/11 (fax #03)

Old RJI forms no longer accepted as of 10/1/11 (fax #01)
Flyer from The Erie County Clerks Office will instruct you on how to get new forms.

2011-2012 Attorney Directories released on 6/10/11
Are now available from the Erie County Bar Association. (price list = fax #10)

Landlord - Tenant books and forms 3/7/11
A CD containing pdf forms is now available. If you want us to mail one to you, send us a check for $20.00. We also have a book called “A Guide to Landlord's Rights” from HOME. (mailing #7)

Erie County Clerk's requirements for filing divorces 8/26/10 (fax #30)

Buffalo City Court Filing Fees going up on 9/1/10 (fax #15)

Erie County Clerk's Office is increasing foreclosure fees on 9/1/10 (fax#13)

Out of town attorneys that need local representation
If you are unable to attend to a local court case due to distance, conflicting commitments or too heavy a caseload, contact us and we will refer you to a local attorney who will help you.

Need a certificate of abandonment in a Bankruptcy case?
Our fee is $45.00 plus the court disbursement of $9.50

Need a will filed for safekeeping in Surrogate's court?
Our fee is $10.00. We will file the will and return a stamped card showing the date of filing.

Erie County Sheriff's Civil Division list of costs 7/1/08 (fax #20)

“How to become a notary” packet
Includes all necessary forms and a copy of the Notary Public License Law $20.00

Avoid the high price of gas (fax #14)
Fax us your request for items such as a quick copy of a deed, checking to see if an order has been signed, or filing an RJI for you. We have been servicing all the downtown courts for the past 31 years. Ask us for our rates for occasional use or on a daily basis. We are also connected with a delivery service that will pick up from anywhere in Erie County.

Landlord register and code violation reports for Buffalo properties 6/29/07
We can obtain these for your real estate closings. We also have the Rental Dwelling Unit Registration forms. (fax #4)

Waiting lines are long at the Erie County Clerk's Office
It is not uncommon to wait for over an hour. We can do it for you (fax #28)

Need a Spanish translator / interpreter?
Call us. We have someone on our staff. $45.00 first hour, $20.00 each additional hr.

Attorney Pass for speedy courthouse access
The Chief Clerk's Office, 2nd floor County Hall has 3 part applications which authorize attorneys to enter County Hall without going through the metal detectors. We will mail it to your office for a $8.50 handling / mailing fee. (mailing #6)

Need to know the value of an injury?
We can provide you with a list of recent jury verdicts in New York State involving the same kind of injury. The fee is $425.00 per search. One week turnaround.

Locating a defendant or his assets
We can find current addresses, employment, bank accounts, real estate and motor vehicles (fax #12)

Need documents typed?
Send us your dictation tapes or video tapes. Phone conversations, Meetings, hearings. We will transcribe them. We can even let you use our recording equipment. (fax #27)

VHS video tape, DVD or CD duplication
The fee is $37.00 per copy. 24 hour turn around time.

Appellate Division Case List
We offer an Appellate Division Service that provides your office with the latest list of cases including case summaries. Our fee is $37.00 per month

Discounts on Deed and Mortgage Tax
Mortgages between private citizens can save .25% on the mortgage tax by filling out a 253.1 affidavit and paying a $5.00 filing fee. Deeds with Senior Citizens as the grantor can get the transfer tax reduced from $9.00 per $1000.00 to $4.00 per $1000.00 by filling out an exemption affidavit. We can fax these forms to you (fax #16)

Audio Tape broken that contains valuable dictation?
We can take it apart and repair it for you. $50.00. Also, we can copy it to CD.

Filings in Niagara County
We travel to Lockport to perform filings in Niagara County. Our fee is $51.00 per filing. We are also part of a paralegal network which services every county in NY State.

Amortization Schedules
Contact Paralegal Services. Our fee is $25.00 for standard schedules. Custom schedules are no problem. Our turn around time is less than 24 hours

Do you need a list of your client's debts?
We can supply you with a comprehensive 3 bureau credit report (fax #18)

Need to hire a paralegal for your internal office needs?
We offer a year round internship program. Contact us for the resumes of graduates from our program.

Legal Composition Searches
If you are about to sue a business and need to know whether it is a corporation or an assumed name and the name and address of the person to be served, call Paralegal Services. Our fee is $49.00 per name searched.

Access to DMV Computer
Paralegal Services has a terminal connected to the DMV computer in Albany. We can perform license, registration and title searches. We can also provide valuable information for locating a defendant, a driving record, vehicle insurance or title information. Our fee is $49.00 per search. Same day service.

Copying social security files.
If you have a case in front of the office of hearings and appeals and need a social security file copied, call us. Our fee is $50.00 for the first 300 pages, $10.00 for each additional 100 pages. We will fax an authorization form for your client's signature.

Tax bills / receipts for real estate closings
Contact Paralegal Services to obtain copies of city tax, occupancy tax, user fee tax, county tax, and water tax. We will fax them to you and then mail the originals. Our service fee is $40.00 plus any receipt fees charged by the various tax agencies.

Franchise Tax Searches
Call us for a search of the New York State franchise tax records. Our search will tell you if the corporation is current with its franchise taxes. It will also list any corporate interest in real property. Our fee is $20.00 per search.

Questions, Comments Or Inquiries
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1133 Liberty Bldg. Buffalo, NY 14202 ph 852-2028 ph 856-3818 Fax 853-0184
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