Estate Planning for Jefferson County, Missouri Property Owners

For most Jefferson 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 Jefferson County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Circuit Court - Probate Division. The two tools that keep a Jefferson County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the Recorder of Deeds, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Jefferson County property passes through the Circuit Court - Probate Division — even simple Missouri probates run 6+ months and start with $201 in filing fees. Missouri 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 Jefferson County

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

Before recording, a Missouri beneficiary deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentRSMo 461.003 to 461.081Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathRSMo 461.003 to 461.081Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Create a MissouriTOD deed →Jefferson Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Jefferson County are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds, led by Recorder of Deeds Debbie Dunnegan-Waters, at 729 Maple St, Administration Center, Hillsboro, MO 63050. Phone: 636-797-5414.

The Recorder of Deeds charges $26 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. Recording a 2-page beneficiary deed in Jefferson County comes to $29. A beneficiary deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Jefferson County accepts electronic recording through CSC.

Recording Office Record

Recorder of Deeds

Jefferson County · Recorder of Deeds · Debbie Dunnegan-Waters

Address

729 Maple St, Administration CenterHillsboro, MO 63050

Fax

636-797-6310

E-recording

Available via CSC

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$26
Each additional page$3
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

RSMo 59.310.6(1), 59.319, 59.321, 59.800, 50.1190

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 7, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Jefferson County

FirmSt. Louis, MO

Amen, Gantner & Capriano, Your Estate Matters, L.L.C.

Since 2012 · Serves 4 counties

Serves St. Louis County and surrounding metro communities including Ballwin, Chesterfield, and Clayton. Represents executors, personal representatives, and heirs through probate and trust administration, from creditor notification and appraisals to intestate succession and contested will disputes over validity, undue influence, and testator capacity. Runs free public estate planning seminars.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawGuardianshipSpecial Needs Planningand 3 more

Office
10733 Sunset Office Dr, Suite 425St. Louis, MO 63127

FirmFestus, MO

Gonz Law Firm, LLC

Serves 2 counties

Festus firm with a second office in Ste. Genevieve, serving Jefferson, Ste. Genevieve, Perry, St. Francois, and Cape Girardeau counties. The practice is led by family law and personal injury; the firm also lists probate estate and guardianship among the matters it handles. Evening and weekend appointments by request.

PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipFamily LawProbate Administration

Office
386 Festus Centre DrFestus, MO 63028

FirmSt. Louis, MO

Hoffmann Legal Services

Serves 3 counties

Represents clients across the St. Louis metropolitan area, including St. Louis County, St. Louis City, Jefferson County, and St. Charles County. Works with administrators and executors through probate and estate administration and the responsibilities that come with the role, alongside estate planning. Initial consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbate Administration

Office
105 Concord Plaza, Suite 209St. Louis, MO 63128
Free consultation

FirmSt. Louis, MO

Probate Law Center, PC

Serves 3 counties

Serves the southwest St. Louis metro from Old Tesson Road, where attorney Richard J. Keyes has practiced for more than 35 years. Handles estate and probate administration — wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and guardianship — and probate litigation over disputes that arise in administering an estate, including the validity of a will. The initial consultation is free.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationGuardianshipProbate Administration

Office
12300 Old Tesson Rd, Suite 100-BSt. Louis, MO 63128
Free consultation

FirmSt. Louis, MO

St. Louis Estate Planning LLC

Since 2015 · Serves 4 counties

Handles probate and trust administration for St. Louis families from its Dougherty Ferry Road office, collecting assets that passed without a beneficiary designation or trust. The first meeting is free, estate and trust administration meetings can be held in person or over Zoom, and the firm publishes its fee ranges on its own site.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate Administration

Office
2705 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 200St. Louis, MO 63122
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmSt. Louis, MO

TdD Attorneys At Law

Serves 3 counties

Serves St. Louis City and St. Louis County from an office on Lemay Ferry Road, with a second office in Creve Coeur. Handles probate and estate administration, determination of heirship and affidavits of heirship, and contested matters including will contests and estate disputes. Offers a free consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate Administration

Office
4509 Lemay Ferry RdSt. Louis, MO 63129
Free consultation
See all 9 firms serving Jefferson 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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