Estate Planning for Clearwater County, Minnesota Property Owners

For most Clearwater 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.

Record a TOD deedWhere to recordLocal attorneys

For a Clearwater 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 Clearwater County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Recorder, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Clearwater County property passes through the District Court — even simple Minnesota probates run 4+ months and start with $320 in filing fees. Minnesota 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 Clearwater County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Clearwater County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Recorder during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, a Minnesota transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentMinn. Stat. 507.071Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathMinn. Stat. 507.071Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Create a MinnesotaTOD deed →Clearwater Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Clearwater County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by Recorder Rodney Knutson, at 213 Main Avenue North, Dept. 207, Courthouse Second Floor, Bagley, MN 56621. Phone: 218-694-6129. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

The County Recorder charges $46 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Clearwater County comes to $46. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Clearwater County · Recorder · Rodney Knutson

Address

213 Main Avenue North, Dept. 207, Courthouse Second FloorBagley, MN 56621

Fax

218-344-8142

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Flat fee (any length)$46
Well Disclosure Certificate$54
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

Minn. Stat. 357.18 (Abstract); Minn. Stat. 508.82 (Torrens)

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 6, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Clearwater County

FirmBemidji, MN

Brouse, Woodke & Hildebrandt, PLLP

Serves 4 counties

Serves Beltrami County and the surrounding Headwaters region from Bemidji, with a second office in Fosston reaching into Polk County. Handles estate administration after a death along with wills, trusts, and the real estate transfers that accompany settling an estate. Also practices elder law for area families.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawBusiness LawProbate Administrationand 2 more

Office
312 America Ave NWBemidji, MN 56601

FirmBemidji, MN

Drahos Kieson & Christopher, P.A.

Since 1981 · Serves 5 counties

Serves Beltrami County and the surrounding Headwaters region from Bemidji. Handles estate planning, wills and trusts, probate and estate administration, and guardianship and conservatorship matters. A general-practice firm in the area since 1981.

PracticesEstate PlanningConservatorshipGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
502 24th Street NWBemidji, MN 56601

Solo PracticePark Rapids, MN

Law Offices of Tara Lynn Wolff

Since 2008 · Serves 3 counties

Serves Hubbard County and the surrounding lakes area from Park Rapids. Handles estate planning alongside real estate and business matters. Attorney Tara Lynn Wolff has run this solo practice since 2008.

PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness LawReal Estate

Office
1217 1st St E, PO Box 549Park Rapids, MN 56470

FirmDuluth, MN

Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith & Frederick, P.A.

Since 1893 · Serves the whole state

Serves Duluth and the Arrowhead from offices in Duluth, Cloquet, and Superior, Wisconsin. Handles estate planning and trust probate, income and transfer tax planning, and business succession for families and closely held businesses across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. Founded in 1893, it is one of the largest firms in Minnesota outside the Twin Cities.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate Administration

Office
302 W Superior St, Suite 700Duluth, MN 55802

FirmSt. Paul, MN

Johnson/Turner

Serves the whole state

One of the largest estate planning firms in Minnesota with 15 office locations statewide. Offers trust-based and will-based estate plans, probate administration, and beneficiary representation with flat-fee pricing.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1500St. Paul, MN 55101
Free consultation

FirmSt. Paul, MN

Safe Harbor Estate Law, PLLC

Since 2013 · Serves the whole state

Serves the Twin Cities metro from offices in St. Paul, Burnsville, and Wayzata. Focuses exclusively on estate planning and elder law, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, probate, and estate administration. Named a Law Firm 500 Honoree for seven consecutive years (2019-2025).

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawGuardianshipHealthcare Directivesand 3 more

Office
3240 Rice StSt. Paul, MN 55126
Virtual consultations
See all 8 firms serving Clearwater 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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Data sourced from Minnesota statutes and official state code. How we research.

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