For most Chatham County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.
For a Chatham County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Probate Court. The two tools that keep a Chatham County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the Clerk of Superior Court, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Chatham County property passes through the Probate Court — even simple Georgia probates run 6+ months and start with about $175 in filing fees.
A transfer-on-death deed names a beneficiary who receives Chatham County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the Clerk of Superior Court during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.
Before recording, a Georgia transfer-on-death deed is signed with 1O.C.G.A. 44-17-1 to 44-17-7Verified Aug 24, 2026View source witness and attestation by a notary as official witnessO.C.G.A. 44-17-1 to 44-17-7Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathO.C.G.A. 44-17-1 to 44-17-7Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Deeds and other real property documents for Chatham County are recorded with the Clerk of Superior Court, led by Tammie Mosley, at 400 W. Oglethorpe Avenue, Suite 178, Savannah, GA 31401. Phone: 912-434-8920. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 10227, Savannah, GA 31412.
The Clerk of Superior Court charges $25 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page transfer-on-death deed in Chatham County comes to $25. A transfer-on-death deed is exempt from transfer tax.
Chatham County requires electronic recording through GSCCCA eFile Portal; paper documents are not accepted.
Recording Office Record
Chatham County · Tammie Mosley
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $25 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | Exempt |
O.C.G.A. 15-6-77(f)(1)(A)(i)
Verified September 4, 2026 · Source
FirmSavannah, GA
A small, specialized firm located on Skidaway Island in Savannah providing estate planning and probate services including preparing probate petitions, coordinating with heirs and beneficiaries, and corresponding with the Chatham County Probate Court.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate Administration
Solo PracticeSavannah, GA
Has been helping people in Chatham County and surrounding communities plan for the future with estate planning services for more than 20 years.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationGuardianshipProbate Administration
FirmSavannah, GA
Long-established Savannah firm guiding executors through the Georgia and South Carolina probate courts: filing the will, transferring assets to the estate, valuing the estate, and completing administration. Also litigates probate and will disputes and mediates among beneficiaries, with more than 70 years of combined trusts-and-estates experience.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
FirmSavannah, GA
A boutique firm of estate planning attorneys in Savannah specializing in wills and trusts, estate planning, probate, fiduciary litigation, taxation, and business succession planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationTrust LitigationTax Planningand 2 more
FirmSavannah, GA
A Savannah estate planning and elder law firm, with a second office in Marietta, whose attorneys work only in estate planning and estate administration. Guides executors and beneficiaries through probate, including appointment of an executor or administrator, required public notices, creditor claims, and distribution of the estate, with fixed upfront pricing.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate Administration
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Data sourced from Georgia statutes and official state code. How we research.
Estate planning articles for Georgia.
Forms and tools for property owners in Chatham County.
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Create a free, state-specific will with witness and notarization requirements included.
Transfer assets to your existing trust. State execution requirements included.
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate.
Designate someone to make medical decisions on your behalf.
Designate someone to manage your financial affairs.
Answer questions about your estate size, real estate ownership, marital status, and family situation to see how a revocable trust compares to a will alone. Includes estimated probate costs for your state.
Answer questions about your property type, ownership structure, and estate plan to see if a TOD deed is the right approach. Includes state-specific availability, signing requirements, and recording fees.
Compare trusts vs wills for your specific situation. See probate costs, trust administration expenses, and whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures based on your state and estate value.
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.
Estate planning articles for Georgia.
