Estate Planning for Buffalo County, Nebraska Property Owners

For most Buffalo 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 Buffalo County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the County Court. The two tools that keep a Buffalo County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the Register of Deeds, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Skipping this planning step means the County Court decides who receives the property: a simple Nebraska probate takes 4+ months and opens with $44 in court filing fees. Nebraska 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 Buffalo County

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

Before recording, a Nebraska transfer on death deed is signed with 2Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-3401 to 76-3424Verified Aug 24, 2026View source witnesses and notary acknowledgmentNeb. Rev. Stat. 76-3401 to 76-3424Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded within 30 daysNeb. Rev. Stat. 76-3401 to 76-3424Verified Aug 24, 2026View source of signing and before the owner's deathNeb. Rev. Stat. 76-3401 to 76-3424Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Create a NebraskaTOD deed →Buffalo Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Buffalo County are recorded with the Register of Deeds, led by Register of Deeds Jen Schleusener, at 1512 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68848. Phone: 308-236-1239. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Documents submitted by mail go to PO Box 1270, Kearney, NE 68848.

The Register of Deeds charges $10 for the first page plus $6 for each additional page. A 2-page transfer on death deed costs $16 to record in Buffalo County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

Register of Deeds

Buffalo County · Register of Deeds · Jen Schleusener

Address

1512 Central AveKearney, NE 68848Mailing: PO Box 1270, Kearney, NE 68848

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$10
Each additional page$6
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

Neb. Rev. Stat. 33-109

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 7, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Buffalo County

FirmKearney, NE

Parker, Grossart & Bahensky, L.L.P. (PGBB Law)

Since 1932 · Serves 5 counties

Kearney firm serving Buffalo County and central Nebraska, established in 1932. Handles wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, probate, and trust administration, plus business-succession planning. Luke Zinnell is regularly appointed Guardian Ad Litem in Buffalo County probate matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationBusiness SuccessionProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
1516 1st AvenueKearney, NE 68847

FirmHastings, NE

Skalka, Baack & Fiala

Serves 9 counties

Hastings firm serving Adams County and central Nebraska, focused on estate planning and administration, real estate, and business formation. Handles wills, trusts, probate and trust administration, Medicaid planning, special-needs planning, TOD deeds, and inheritance and estate tax filings. Founding partner Matthew Baack concentrates on estate, trust, and business-succession planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawSpecial Needs Planningand 2 more

Office
200 North Burlington, Suite 100Hastings, NE 68901

FirmKearney, NE

Stamm Romero & Associates, PC, LLO

Serves 3 counties

Kearney firm handling estate planning, trusts, probate, and wills for central Nebraska, including Grand Island, Hastings, Holdrege, Lexington, and North Platte. Partners Vikki Stamm and Michele Romero also handle family law, adoption, and real estate matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
3720 Avenue A, Suite CKearney, NE 68847
Free consultation

Solo PracticeKearney, NE

The Law Offices of Michael D. Carper

Serves 2 counties

Solo practice in Kearney serving Buffalo County and central Nebraska probate matters. Handles probate administration, estate planning, wills, and related guardianship and estate work, including ancillary probate for out-of-state decedents who owned Nebraska property. Attorney Michael D. Carper personally handles each case and has practiced estate matters for more than 35 years.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
3915 Avenue N, Suite CKearney, NE 68847

FirmBroken Bow, NE

Steffens Law Office, P.C.

Serves 8 counties

Nebraska firm headquartered in Broken Bow with six offices running from Omaha west to North Platte. Handles estate planning, wills and trusts, probate, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations for clients across income levels, alongside a large personal-injury practice. Quotes its estate planning fees up front and offers a free case evaluation by phone.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
255 South 10th AvenueBroken Bow, NE 68822
Free consultation

FirmLincoln, NE

Ball, Loudon, Ebert & Brostrom, LLC

Serves 3 counties

Boutique estate and business firm in Lincoln working in the Lancaster County courts. The team handles will and trust administration, guides fiduciaries through probate, and manages estate transfers ranging from simple wills to tax-driven planning for larger estates. Trusts and estates is one of its two core focus areas alongside business and commercial law.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate Administration

Office
3701 Union Drive, Suite 200Lincoln, NE 68516
See all 11 firms serving Buffalo 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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