For most Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia 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, Columbia County property passes through the Probate Court — even simple Georgia probates run 6+ months and start with $201 in filing fees.
A transfer-on-death deed names a beneficiary who receives Columbia 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 Columbia County are recorded with the Clerk of Superior Court, led by Cindy Mason, at 640 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA 30809. Phone: 706-312-7139. Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
The Clerk of Superior Court charges $25 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page transfer-on-death deed in Columbia County comes to $25. A transfer-on-death deed is exempt from transfer tax.
Columbia County requires electronic recording through GSCCCA eFile Portal; paper documents are not accepted.
Recording Office Record
Columbia County · Cindy Mason
Address
Phone
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
FirmAugusta, GA
An Augusta firm with a second office in Greenville, South Carolina, handling estate planning, probate administration, guardianship and conservatorship, VA and Medicaid planning, special needs planning, and asset protection for clients in Georgia and South Carolina. In practice since 2012.
PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawConservatorshipGuardianshipand 4 more
FirmMartinez, GA
Serves the Central Savannah River Area from its Martinez office near Augusta, with attorneys licensed in Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama. Drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, and handles probate administration, guardianships, and fiduciary litigation including will contests and breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims. In practice since 2002.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationTax PlanningGuardianshipand 2 more
FirmEvans, GA
Provides estate planning, probate, and business law services throughout Georgia. Founding partner Garrett Murphy is a former financial advisor and FINRA arbitrator with over a decade of financial services experience.
PracticesEstate PlanningAsset ProtectionProbate Administration
FirmAugusta, GA
A general-practice Augusta firm serving Richmond and Columbia counties, the CSRA, and Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina. Handles probate of estates with or without a will, creditor inquiries during settlement, will contests over undue influence, and disputes among heirs over executor authority, representing both fiduciaries and heirs.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationProbate Administration
FirmEvans, GA
Provides experienced legal services for clients throughout Richmond, Columbia and Burke counties.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate 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 Columbia 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.
