Estate Planning for Rice County, Minnesota Property Owners

For most Rice 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 Rice 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 Rice 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.

Skipping this planning step means the District Court decides who receives the property: a simple Minnesota probate takes 4+ months and opens with $325 in court 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 Rice County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Rice 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 →Rice Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Rice County are recorded with the County Recorder at 320 Third Street NW, Faribault, MN 55021. Phone: 507-332-6114. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

The County Recorder charges $46 flat, regardless of page count. A 2-page transfer on death deed costs $46 to record in Rice County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Rice County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Rice County

Address

320 Third Street NWFaribault, MN 55021

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

E-recording

Available via SimplifileE-recording info →
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 Rice County

FirmFaribault, MN

Hoffman & Associates, PLLC

Since 2005 · Serves 5 counties

Serves Rice, Goodhue, Steele, and Waseca counties from Faribault, with additional offices in Red Wing, Rochester, and Apple Valley. Handles estate planning and probate, including administering the estate of someone who died with or without a will, alongside real estate and business matters. Evening and weekend appointments are available by arrangement.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate Administration

Office
118 1st Ave NEFaribault, MN 55021

FirmOwatonna, MN

Patton, Hoversten & Berg, P.A.

Serves 3 counties

Serves Owatonna and Steele County, with additional offices in Faribault, Waseca, and Janesville across southeastern Minnesota. Guides executors and beneficiaries through probate administration -- validating the will, appraising assets, settling debts and taxes, and distributing property -- and handles wills, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. The firm also practices elder law.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawConservatorshipGuardianshipand 2 more

Office
150 West Park SquareOwatonna, MN 55060

FirmRochester, MN

Grinde & Dicke Law Firm, P.A.

Rochester law firm offering estate planning and probate law services, with over 35 years of experience working with families throughout Southeastern Minnesota.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate Administration

Office
407 14th Street N.W.Rochester, MN 55903

FirmOlivia, MN

Kraft Walser Law Office

Since 1916 · Serves 5 counties

Serves Renville County and the surrounding farm country from its Olivia office, handling probate, living-trust-based probate avoidance, personal-representative and guardian selection, and family-business succession. The firm pairs estate work with agricultural and real estate practice common to area landowners. A case evaluation is offered by phone, video, or in person.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationAgricultural LawProbate Administrationand 2 more

Office
107 North 9th StreetOlivia, MN 56277
Virtual consultations

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
See all 9 firms serving Rice 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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