Estate Planning for Park County, Montana Property Owners

For most Park 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 Park 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 Park 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, Park 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 Park County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Park County are recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder, led by Clerk and Recorder / Surveyor Angeliene Gelderloos, at 414 E. Callender St., Livingston, MT 59047. Phone: 406-222-4110.

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 Park County comes to $30. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Park County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile / ePN / Indecomm / CSC.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk and Recorder

Park County · Clerk and Recorder / Surveyor · Angeliene Gelderloos

Address

414 E. Callender St.Livingston, MT 59047

E-recording

Available via Simplifile / ePN / Indecomm / 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 Park County

FirmBozeman, MT

Bryan Law Firm, P.C.

Serves 2 counties

Bozeman firm serving estate and probate clients throughout the Gallatin Valley. Guides personal representatives and trustees through Montana probate and post-death trust administration, from asset inventory to distribution to beneficiaries. The practice ranges from simple wills and living trusts to tax-driven and asset-protection planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningAsset Protectionand 2 more

Office
11 East Main Street, Suites B & DBozeman, MT 59715

FirmLivingston, MT

Huppert, Swindlehurst & Woodruff, P.C.

Since 1954 · Serves 3 counties

Established in 1954, this Livingston firm provides estate planning, probate, trusts and estates, real estate, banking, business law, and agricultural law services to Park County and surrounding areas. Received the highest rating through Martindale-Hubbell.

PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness LawProbate AdministrationReal EstateWills Trusts

Office
420 South Second StreetLivingston, MT 59047

FirmBozeman, MT

Luebeck, Hammar, McCarty & Goldwarg

Serves 4 counties

Downtown Bozeman firm, formerly Angel, Coil & Bartlett, counseling clients on wills, trusts, estate planning, and asset protection. Also handles estate administration and estate and trust litigation. Serves Southwest Montana including Bozeman, Big Sky, Big Timber, Ennis, Livingston, Gardiner, and Three Forks.

PracticesEstate PlanningAsset ProtectionProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
200 Highland Blvd, Suite 203Bozeman, MT 59715

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 Park 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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