For most Douglas 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 Douglas County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the District Court. The two tools that keep a Douglas County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the Register of Deeds, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Skipping this planning step means the District Court decides who receives the property: a simple Kansas probate takes 6+ months and opens with $132 in court filing fees. Kansas also lets owners name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on vehicle titles, which keeps cars out of the same process.
A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Douglas County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the Register of Deeds during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.
Before recording, a Kansas transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentK.S.A. 59-3501 to 59-3507Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathK.S.A. 59-3501 to 59-3507Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Deeds and other real property documents for Douglas County are recorded with the Register of Deeds, led by Kent Brown, at 1100 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, KS 66044. Phone: 785-832-5282. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
The Register of Deeds charges $21 for the first page plus $17 for each additional page. A 2-page transfer on death deed costs $38 to record in Douglas County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.
Douglas County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC, Mobilis, ePN.
Recording Office Record
Douglas County · Kent Brown
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $21 |
| Each additional page | $17 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | Exempt |
K.S.A. 28-115(a)(5), (b), (i)
Verified September 4, 2026 · Source
FirmLawrence, KS
Established in 1934 in Lawrence, Kansas, one of the oldest and most respected law firms in the State of Kansas. Attorneys specialize in trusts and estates law, including estate planning, probate, and trust litigation.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust LitigationProbate Administration
FirmTopeka, KS
A well-established Topeka firm with 13 attorneys serving the capital region and statewide. Provides estate planning, probate, trust administration, real estate, and tax services from offices in Topeka and Lawrence.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
FirmLawrence, KS
Serving Kansas since 1925 with a strong elder law and estate planning focus. Provides estate planning, wills and trusts, estate and trust administration, tax planning, and Medicaid and long-term care planning services.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 3 more
FirmBurlington, KS
Nearly 50 years of collective legal experience serving Coffey and Osage counties from offices in Burlington and Lyndon. Handles estate planning, probate, wills, and real estate matters.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
FirmWichita, KS
Founded in 1919 and the largest Kansas-based law firm, Foulston Siefkin runs an estate planning and probate group from its Wichita, Topeka, and Overland Park offices, serving clients statewide. Attorneys administer estates and trusts through probate, handle incapacity and tax-minimization planning, plan farm and business succession, and litigate trust and estate disputes.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTrust LitigationElder Lawand 6 more
FirmGarden City, KS
A multi-office regional firm founded in 1961, providing trust and estate planning, probate, business transactions, and farm and ranch law services across Western Kansas with offices in Garden City, Dodge City, Hays, Salina, and Overland Park.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationBusiness SuccessionFarm Ranch Planningand 2 more
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 Kansas statutes and official state code. How we research.
Estate planning articles for Kansas.
Forms and tools for property owners in Douglas 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 Kansas.
