For most Prairie 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 Prairie 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 Prairie 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, Prairie 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.
A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Prairie 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.
Deeds and other real property documents for Prairie County are recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder, led by Clerk and Recorder Shari Robertson, at 217 Park St W, Terry, MT 59349. Phone: 406-635-5575. Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 5:00.
Documents submitted by mail go to PO Box 125, Terry, MT 59349-0125.
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 Prairie County comes to $30. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.
Recording Office Record
Prairie County · Clerk and Recorder · Shari Robertson
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $20 |
| Each additional page | $10 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | Exempt |
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
FirmMiles City, MT
Serving eastern Montana since 1971, including Miles City, Hysham, Colstrip, Forsyth, Jordan, Terry, Sidney, Glendive, Baker, Ekalaka, and Broadus. Practice areas include real estate, business services, contracts, probates, estate planning, oil and gas, minerals, guardianships and conservatorships.
PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipProbate AdministrationReal Estate
FirmSidney, MT
Handles estate planning and probate from offices in Sidney and Billings, serving families across eastern Montana and western North Dakota (formerly Netzer, Krautter & Brown, P.C.). Prepares wills, trusts, and powers of attorney and guides personal representatives through estate administration, guardianship, and conservatorship. Mineral and oil-and-gas experience aids Bakken-region estates.
PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipBusiness FormationProbate AdministrationReal Estate
FirmMiles City, MT
One of Eastern Montana's longest-standing law firms, with roots dating back to the late 1800s as Lucas & Tonn, P.C. Now operates under the Rice & Martin name. Attorney Dan Rice also serves as County Attorney for Prairie County and City Attorney for Miles City.
PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness FormationProbate AdministrationReal Estate
FirmMissoula, MT
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
FirmHelena, MT
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
FirmBillings, MT
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
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.
Data sourced from Montana statutes and official state code. How we research.
Estate planning articles for Montana.
Forms and tools for property owners in Prairie County.
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Create a free, state-specific will with witness and notarization requirements included.
Transfer assets to your existing trust. State execution requirements included.
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate.
Designate someone to make medical decisions on your behalf.
Designate someone to manage your financial affairs.
Answer questions about your estate size, real estate ownership, marital status, and family situation to see how a revocable trust compares to a will alone. Includes estimated probate costs for your state.
Answer questions about your property type, ownership structure, and estate plan to see if a TOD deed is the right approach. Includes state-specific availability, signing requirements, and recording fees.
Compare trusts vs wills for your specific situation. See probate costs, trust administration expenses, and whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures based on your state and estate value.
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.
Estate planning articles for Montana.
