For most Harvey 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 Harvey 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 Harvey 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 Harvey 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 Harvey County are recorded with the Register of Deeds, led by Raquel Langley, at 800 N. Main St., Newton, KS 67114. Phone: 316-284-6950. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to PO Box 687, Newton, KS 67114.
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 Harvey County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.
Recording Office Record
Harvey County · Raquel Langley
Address
Phone
Hours
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
Solo PracticeNewton, KS
Stephen Johnson has practiced law in Kansas for over 50 years, beginning in Hillsboro in 1973. Provides estate planning, probate, wills, and trusts services to Harvey County and surrounding south-central Kansas communities.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
FirmNewton, KS
Established in 1945, Gillmore & Wilson has served Newton and Harvey County for over 75 years. A. James Gillmore brings nearly 50 years of estate planning, probate, real estate, and agricultural law experience.
PracticesEstate PlanningFarm Ranch PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
FirmNewton, KS
Bradley Jantz has practiced law since 1985, serving Harvey County and a broad south-central Kansas region. Former Mayor of Newton and former Municipal Court Judge. Handles estate planning, probate, elder law, agricultural law, and mediation.
PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawBusiness SuccessionFarm Ranch PlanningProbate Administration
FirmNewton, KS
Established in 1974, serving Newton and Harvey County for over 50 years. Provides estate planning, probate, trust administration, elder law, Medicaid planning, and guardianship services.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawConservatorshipand 4 more
FirmGarden City, KS
Devoted exclusively to estate planning, agricultural and business planning. Serves Kansas from offices in Manhattan, Garden City, Hugoton, Elkhart, Overland Park, Hutchinson, and Norton. Specializes in wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, farm succession, charitable planning, and asset protection. Licensed in KS, MO, OK, TX, CO, and ND.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawAsset Protectionand 5 more
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
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 Harvey 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.
