Estate Planning for Beaverhead County, Montana Property Owners

For most Beaverhead 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 Beaverhead 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 Beaverhead County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Clerk and 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 Montana probate takes 4+ months and opens with $100 in court filing fees. Montana 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 Beaverhead County

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

Before recording, a Montana transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentMCA 72-6-401 to 72-6-418Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathMCA 72-6-401 to 72-6-418Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Beaverhead County are recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder, led by Clerk and Recorder Stacey Reynolds, at 2 South Pacific Street, Suite 3, Dillon, MT 59725. Phone: 406-683-3720. Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

The County Clerk and Recorder charges $20 for the first page plus $10 for each additional page. A 2-page transfer on death deed costs $30 to record in Beaverhead County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Beaverhead County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile / CSC / Indecomm.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk and Recorder

Beaverhead County · Clerk and Recorder · Stacey Reynolds

Address

2 South Pacific Street, Suite 3Dillon, MT 59725

Fax

406-683-3781

Hours

Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

E-recording

Available via Simplifile / CSC / IndecommE-recording info →
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$20
Each additional page$10
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

MCA 7-4-2637 (fees for recording documents); MCA 7-4-2636 (standards for recorded documents); House Bill 192, 69th Legislature (2025) — Ch. 480, L. 2025 — fee increase effective October 1, 2025

Verified September 7, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Beaverhead County

Solo PracticeDillon, MT

Grove Law PLLC

Serves 1 county

Dillon solo practice serving Beaverhead County and southwest Montana, where probate is heard in the Fifth Judicial District. Handles probate and the distribution of a decedent's assets to heirs, alongside estate planning, business formation, and transactional work. Attorney Stephanie Grover clerked for Fifth Judicial District Judge Luke Berger before entering private practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness LawProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
220 S Pacific StreetDillon, MT 59725

FirmHelena, MT

Wall, McLean & Gallagher

Serves 4 counties

Helena law firm providing estate planning and probate services with clarity and compassion. Also maintains an office in Anaconda. Practice areas include personal injury, family law, estate planning and probate, business law, and real estate litigation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationReal Estate

Office
1 N Last Chance Gulch, STE 4Helena, MT 59601
Free consultation

FirmMissoula, MT

BJM Law PLLC

Serves the whole state

Formerly Bjornson Jones Mungas, PLLC. Over fifty years of combined experience in transactional, business and corporate law, contracts, real estate law, estate planning and probate administration, finance, and tax law. Serves clients throughout Montana and Washington.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningBusiness SuccessionProbate Administration

Office
2809 Great Northern Loop, Suite 100Missoula, MT 59808

FirmHelena, MT

Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry & Hoven, P.C.

Serves the whole state

Statewide law firm providing estate planning, elder law, business succession planning, and probate administration services from offices in Helena, Bozeman, Great Falls, and Missoula.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawBusiness SuccessionProbate Administration

Office
800 N Last Chance Gulch, Suite 101Helena, MT 59601

FirmBillings, MT

Crowley Fleck PLLP

Serves the whole state

Over 125 years of experience with more than 150 lawyers practicing from 11 offices in 3 states. Extensive experience in advising commercial and individual clients in complex probate and estate planning matters including wills, revocable trusts, financial and healthcare powers of attorney, charitable giving, and various trust planning alternatives.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 4 more

Office
490 N 31st St, Suite 500Billings, MT 59101

FirmGreat Falls, MT

Flaherty Gallardo Law Firm

Serves the whole state

Provides legal assistance with wills, probate, and estate planning. Serves clients throughout Montana from Libby to Havre to Bozeman to Billings.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
1026 1st Ave SouthGreat Falls, MT 59401
Free consultation
See all 10 firms serving Beaverhead 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.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Legal Sources

Data sourced from Montana statutes and official state code. How we research.

Montana Estate Planning Articles

Estate planning articles for Montana.