Estate Planning for Cascade County, Montana Property Owners

For most Cascade 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 Cascade 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 Cascade 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.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Cascade County property passes through the District Court — even simple Montana probates run 4+ months and start with $100 in 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 Cascade County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Cascade 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.

Create a MontanaTOD deed →Cascade Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Cascade County are recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder at 121 4th Street North, Number 1B-1, Great Falls, MT 59401. Phone: 406-454-6801. Hours: Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm; recording services available 8 am to 4:30 pm.

Documents submitted by mail go to PO Box 2867, Great Falls, MT 59403.

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

Cascade County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile / CSC.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk and Recorder

Cascade County

Address

121 4th Street North, Number 1B-1Great Falls, MT 59401Mailing: PO Box 2867, Great Falls, MT 59403

Fax

406-454-6703

Hours

Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm; recording services available 8 am to 4:30 pm

E-recording

Available via Simplifile / CSCE-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

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 7, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Cascade County

FirmGreat Falls, MT

Jardine, Stephenson, Blewett & Weaver, P.C.

Since 1911 · Serves 5 counties

Serves Great Falls and north-central Montana (Cascade County, Eighth Judicial District) from its offices on Central Avenue, handling estate planning, wills, and probate administration for personal representatives. Attorneys pair estate work with business, transition, and gift-tax planning. One of Montana's oldest firms, founded in 1911.

PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness SuccessionProbate Administration

Office
300 Central Avenue, 7th FloorGreat Falls, MT 59401

FirmGreat Falls, MT

Marra, Evenson & Levine, P.C.

Serves 4 counties

Great Falls general civil practice firm providing estate planning, probate, property law, and litigation services. Attorney William J. Levine focuses on property law, probate, estate planning, and family law.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationReal Estate

Office
2 Railroad Square, Suite CGreat Falls, MT 59401

FirmGreat Falls, MT

Montana Estate Lawyers, P.C.

Serves 4 counties

Great Falls law firm operating as Montana Estate Lawyers, focused on estate planning, estate administration, elder law, and business law. Dedicated practice helping Montana families with their estate planning needs.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
8 3rd St North, Suite 507Great Falls, MT 59401

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
See all 11 firms serving Cascade 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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