Estate Planning for Ravalli County, Montana Property Owners

For most Ravalli 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 Ravalli 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 Ravalli 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 Ravalli County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Ravalli County are recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder, led by Clerk and Recorder Regina Plettenberg, at 215 S 4th Street, Suite C, Hamilton, MT 59840. Phone: 406-375-6555. Hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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 Ravalli County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Ravalli County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk and Recorder

Ravalli County · Clerk and Recorder · Regina Plettenberg

Address

215 S 4th Street, Suite CHamilton, MT 59840

Fax

406-375-6554

Hours

Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

E-recording

Available via SimplifileE-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 Ravalli County

FirmMissoula, MT

Christian, Samson & Baskett, PLLC

Serves 4 counties

Missoula firm handling estate planning and probate across western Montana, from wills, trusts, and succession planning to estate administration for personal representatives and beneficiaries. Several attorneys handle estate matters, with a dedicated estate-tax practice for estates carrying gift, generation-skipping, or business-succession complexity.

PracticesEstate PlanningTax PlanningBusiness LawProbate Administrationand 2 more

Office
310 W Spruce StreetMissoula, MT 59802

FirmMissoula, MT

Datsopoulos, MacDonald & Lind, P.C.

Since 1974 · Serves 4 counties

Established in 1974, this Missoula law firm has 12 lawyers practicing general trial practice, banking law, and estate planning. Experienced in representing clients in the preparation of wills, trusts, and durable powers of attorney, as well as representation of trustees, personal representatives, and beneficiaries in trust and probate proceedings.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
201 W Main Street, Suite 201Missoula, MT 59802
Free consultation

FirmMissoula, MT

Garlington, Lohn & Robinson, PLLP

Since 1870 · Serves 4 counties

Missoula firm founded in 1870, serving western Montana from the Fourth Judicial District. Handles probate administration, from asset inventory and creditor notice to debt settlement and distribution, plus estate and trust disputes including will contests and breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims. Drafts wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and business-succession plans.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningBusiness SuccessionProbate Administration

Office
350 Ryman StMissoula, MT 59802

FirmMissoula, MT

Milodragovich, Dale & Steinbrenner, P.C.

Since 1975 · Serves 5 counties

Missoula firm founded in 1975 serving western Montana. Handles probate administration for personal representatives and beneficiaries, wills, trusts, and succession planning, alongside its insurance and litigation practice. Estate-tax and business-succession work is led by Gerald W. Steinbrenner, a member of the Western Montana Estate Planning Council.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningBusiness Lawand 3 more

Office
620 High Park WayMissoula, MT 59806

FirmHamilton, MT

Montana Legacy Law, PLLC

Serves 2 counties

Hamilton solo practice serving Ravalli County and the Bitterroot Valley. Drafts wills and trusts and handles probate and estate planning; also takes personal injury work. Free consultations on matters within those practice areas.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate Administration

Office
178 South Second StreetHamilton, MT 59840
Free consultation

FirmMissoula, MT

St. Peter O'Brien Law Offices, P.C.

Serves 5 counties

Handles estate planning, probate, and trust administration for families in Missoula and western Montana. Drafts wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, and represents clients in estate and probate proceedings, guardianships, and conservatorships. Founding attorney Don St. Peter is a past chair of the State Bar of Montana business, estates, trusts, tax and real property section.

PracticesEstate PlanningTax PlanningGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
2620 Radio WayMissoula, MT 59802
See all 15 firms serving Ravalli 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.