For most Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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, Washington County property passes through the District Court — even simple Minnesota probates run 4+ months and start with $325 in filing fees. Minnesota 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 Washington 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.
Deeds and other real property documents for Washington County are recorded with the County Recorder at 14949 62nd Street North (Government Center), Stillwater, MN 55082. Phone: 651-430-6175. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to Washington County Recorder, P.O. Box 6, 14949 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN 55082-6132.
The County Recorder charges $46 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Washington County comes to $46. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.
Washington County accepts electronic recording through ePN, Simplifile, CSC, Indecomm.
Recording Office Record
Washington County
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $46 |
| Well Disclosure Certificate | $54 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | Exempt |
Minn. Stat. 357.18 (Abstract); Minn. Stat. 508.82 (Torrens)
Verified September 6, 2026 · Source
FirmMinneapolis, MN
Exclusively focused on estate planning and related areas including revocable and irrevocable trusts, probate administration, and trustee representation. Two office locations in Minneapolis and Woodbury. Over 600 five-star Google reviews.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
FirmMinneapolis, MN
Full-service Minneapolis law firm with 16 attorneys providing experienced estate planning and probate legal services. Minnesota's Best 2023 Gold Winner. Seven attorneys have been selected to Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationConservatorshipGuardianshipProbate Administration
FirmSt. Paul, MN
Multigenerational St. Paul law firm serving clients throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin with estate planning, probate and trust administration, probate and trust litigation, and asset protection planning. Attorneys collectively bring over 100 years of combined experience across four decades of practice.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 3 more
FirmMinneapolis, MN
Established Minneapolis law firm excelling at estate planning, trust, and probate services since 1976. Handles both simple and complex estates and trusts, including transferring assets, minimizing taxes, litigating disputes, and business succession planning. Ranked by Chambers USA.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 5 more
Solo PracticeBloomington, MN
Works from Bloomington in the south metro and continues to serve long-standing clients in the Duluth area and the Northland, with virtual meetings for clients elsewhere in the state. Handles estate planning, probate, and elder law matters. Attorney Amy Kuronen is a Certified Financial Planner with over 30 years of experience and offers a complimentary initial consultation for estate planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawProbate Administration
FirmBloomington, MN
Serves the Twin Cities metro from Bloomington with a practice focused on estate planning. Handles wills, trusts, probate and trust administration, health care directives, estate tax planning, and business succession. Gold Winner of the 2025 Minnesota's Best Reader's Choice Award for estate planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 3 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 Minnesota statutes and official state code. How we research.
Estate planning articles for Minnesota.
Forms and tools for property owners in Washington 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 Minnesota.
