Estate Planning for Stone County, Missouri Property Owners

For most Stone 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 Stone 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 Stone 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.

Skipping this planning step means the Circuit Court - Probate Division decides who receives the property: a simple Missouri probate takes 6+ months and opens with about $115 in court 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 Stone County

A beneficiary deed names a beneficiary who receives Stone 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 →Stone Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Stone County are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds, led by Recorder of Deeds Amy Larson, at 108-A E. Fourth St, Galena, MO 65656. Phone: 417-357-6362. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 186, Galena, MO 65656.

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

Stone County accepts electronic recording through CSC.

Recording Office Record

Recorder of Deeds

Stone County · Recorder of Deeds · Amy Larson

Address

108-A E. Fourth StGalena, MO 65656Mailing: P.O. Box 186, Galena, MO 65656

Fax

417-357-8131

Hours

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

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 Stone County

FirmCassville, MO

Ellis, Cupps & Herrin

Since 1928 · Serves 3 counties

Serves Barry County and the surrounding southwest Missouri region from the Old Courthouse Square in Cassville, where the firm has practiced since 1928. Handles probate and guardianship proceedings in Missouri courts, estate and trust administration, wills, trusts, and beneficiary deeds. Represents trustees, beneficiaries, and executors in will and trust contests and estate litigation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationBusiness LawProbate Administrationand 2 more

Office
702 West StCassville, MO 65625

FirmBranson, MO

Fenton & Grimwood, Attorneys at Law, LLC

Since 2016 · Serves 2 counties

Branson firm serving southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. Handles probate and trust administration, probate avoidance, wills and trusts, powers of attorney, beneficiary deeds, and long-term-care and Medicaid planning. The attorneys focus primarily on estate planning, probate, and long-term care planning rather than a general practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness LawProbate AdministrationReal EstateWills Trusts

Office
500 W Main St, Suite 401Branson, MO 65616

FirmSpringfield, MO

Ozarks Elder Law

Serves 10 counties

Serves southwest Missouri from Springfield plus nine additional offices in Bolivar, Branson, Joplin, Lebanon, Marshfield, Mountain Grove, Nixa, Ozark, and Republic. Handles probate, guardianship and conservatorship, wills and trusts, powers of attorney, Medicaid coverage, special needs planning, and elder abuse and neglect matters. Consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawGuardianshipSpecial Needs Planningand 3 more

Office
2832 S Ingram Mill Rd, Suite 100Springfield, MO 65804
Free consultation

FirmMonett, MO

Randall, Masri & Randall, P.C.

Serves 3 counties

Serves Lawrence, Barry, Newton, and Stone counties from Monett, with a second office in Aurora. Handles probate, wills and trusts, guardianships and conservatorships, property management, and estate tax matters for families across southwest Missouri.

PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipProbate AdministrationReal EstateWills Trusts

Office
405 E Broadway StMonett, MO 65708

FirmBranson, MO

Tri-Lakes Law

Serves 4 counties

Branson firm serving the Tri-Lakes region of southwest Missouri. Attorney Rudy A. Arambulo handles probate cases, wills and trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, guardianships, and tax and postmortem expense planning. Arambulo is fluent in Spanish.

PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipBusiness LawReal EstateWills Trusts

Office
301 W Pacific St, Suite ABranson, MO 65616

FirmSpringfield, MO

The Piatchek Law Firm, LLC

Serves the whole state

Springfield law firm helping families understand Missouri probate laws. Experienced lawyers handle probate in many county courts throughout Missouri, guiding clients from opening estates to closing them.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawAsset ProtectionProbate Administration

Office
1546 E Bradford PkwySpringfield, MO 65804
Free consultation

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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