Estate Planning for Miami County, Kansas Property Owners

For most Miami 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 Miami 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 Miami 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.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Miami County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Miami 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.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Miami County are recorded with the Register of Deeds, led by Jamie Homrighausen, at 201 S. Pearl, Suite 101, Paola, KS 66071. Phone: 913-294-3716. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 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 Miami County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Miami County accepts electronic recording through CSC.

Recording Office Record

Register of Deeds

Miami County · Jamie Homrighausen

Address

201 S. Pearl, Suite 101Paola, KS 66071

Fax

913-294-9515

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

E-recording

Available via CSCE-recording info →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$21
Each additional page$17
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

K.S.A. 28-115(a)(5), (b), (i)

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Miami County

FirmOttawa, KS

Anderson & Byrd, LLP

Serves 2 counties

Ottawa firm serving Franklin and Miami counties and the surrounding capital region, with the Franklin County district court nearby. Handles estate planning built to avoid probate, estate and trust administration, and elder law, and also takes energy, business, and litigation matters. Draws on more than 150 years of combined attorney experience and offers a free initial consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
216 S. HickoryOttawa, KS 66067
Free consultation

FirmOttawa, KS

Harris Kelsey, Chtd.

Since 1870 · Serves 2 counties

The oldest continuously operating law firm in Kansas, founded in 1870. Located in historic downtown Ottawa, serving all business and family legal needs including estate planning, probate, and corporate law.

PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness SuccessionProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
101 West Second StreetOttawa, KS 66067

FirmGarden City, KS

Graber & Johnson Law Group, LLC

Since 2014 · Serves 3 counties

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

Office
1501 E Fulton St, Suite 3Garden City, KS 67846

FirmWichita, KS

Martin, Pringle, Oliver, Wallace & Bauer, LLP

Since 1951 · Serves 3 counties

Wichita-based regional firm (est. 1951) representing executors, trustees, and beneficiaries in Sedgwick County probate court and across Kansas and Missouri, with offices in Wichita, Overland Park, El Dorado, and Kansas City. Handles estate administration from filing through distribution, probate litigation and will contests, trust disputes, and guardianship and conservatorship matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
645 E Douglas Ave, Suite 100Wichita, KS 67202

FirmWichita, KS

Foulston Siefkin LLP

Since 1919 · Serves the whole state

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

Office
1551 N. Waterfront Parkway, Suite 100Wichita, KS 67206

FirmGarden City, KS

Kennedy Berkley, P.A.

Since 1961 · Serves the whole state

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

Office
1811 East Mary St., Suite BGarden City, KS 67846
See all 8 firms serving Miami County→

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.

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Legal Sources

Data sourced from Kansas statutes and official state code. How we research.

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