Estate Planning for Winona, Minnesota Property Owners

For most Winona 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 Winona 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 Winona 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, Winona 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 Winona County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Winona County are recorded with the County Recorder at 202 West Third Street, Winona, MN 55987. Phone: 507-457-6340. 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 Winona County comes to $46. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Winona County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Winona County

Address

202 West Third StreetWinona, MN 55987

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 Winona County

FirmWinona, MN

Curtis Law (Driftless Law Office, LLC)

Serves 2 counties

Driftless region law firm with offices in Winona, La Crosse (WI), and Alma (WI). Practice areas include estate planning and elder law, probate estates and trusts, contested trust and estate litigation, business formation and succession planning, and real estate. Serves clients across Winona, Houston, and surrounding southeast Minnesota counties.

PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness LawProbate AdministrationReal EstateWills Trusts

Office
601 Huff StreetWinona, MN 55987

FirmRochester, MN

Wagner Oehler, Ltd.

Serves 6 counties

Southeast Minnesota firm with four office locations covering Rochester, St. Charles, Winona, and Lake City. Eight attorneys handle estate planning, probate and trust administration, farm succession planning, business law, and real estate. Notable focus on agriculture and farm law alongside estate matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningAgricultural LawBusiness LawProbate AdministrationReal Estate

Office
1801 Greenview Drive SW, Suite 102Rochester, MN 55902

Solo PracticeWinona, MN

Wohletz Law Office, P.A.

Serves 1 county

Serves Winona and southeastern Minnesota with estate planning, wills and trusts, and probate and estate administration. A second-generation firm that has practiced in Winona since the mid-1960s, now led by attorney Gregory Wohletz, who has argued before the Minnesota Supreme Court.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
678 Mankato Ave, Suite 200Winona, MN 55987

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
See all 10 firms serving Winona 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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