For most Churchill 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 Churchill County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Tenth Judicial District Court. The two tools that keep a Churchill County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Recorder, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Churchill County property passes through the Tenth Judicial District Court — even simple Nevada probates run 4+ months. Nevada also lets owners name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on vehicle titles, which keeps cars out of the same process.
A deed upon death names a beneficiary who receives Churchill County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Recorder during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.
Before recording, a Nevada deed upon death is signed with notary acknowledgmentNRS 111.655 to 111.699Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathNRS 111.655 to 111.699Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Deeds and other real property documents for Churchill County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Tasha Hessey, at 155 North Taylor Street, Suite 131, Fallon, NV 89406. Phone: 775-423-6001. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
The County Recorder charges $43 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page deed upon death in Churchill County comes to $43. The office also requires a Declaration of Value with the deed, at no charge. A deed upon death is exempt from transfer tax.
Churchill County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Churchill County · County Recorder · Tasha Hessey
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $43 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | Exempt |
NRS 247.305
Verified September 8, 2026 · Source
Solo PracticeReno, NV
Reno sole practice devoted exclusively to the trusts and estates field for over 36 years. J. Douglas Clark is the founding president of the Probate Bar Association of Washoe County and past president of the Estate Planning Council of Northern Nevada.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTrust LitigationAlternative Dispute Resolutionand 2 more
FirmYerington, NV
Yerington general-practice firm founded by Brad M. Johnston, a former Ninth Circuit clerk and former Holland & Hart partner. Returned to private practice in Lyon County in 2014 after serving as general counsel of a large Nevada agricultural company. Associate LeAnn Schumann handles estate planning, family law, and indigent defense across Lyon, Churchill, Douglas, and Mineral counties.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness LawCivil Litigationand 4 more
FirmDayton, NV
Dayton-based firm serving Lyon County, Carson City, and Northern Nevada from offices in Dayton, Yerington, and Fernley. Handles estate planning, wills, trusts, probate and estate administration, and powers of attorney for families and agricultural clients. A multi-generational ranching background gives the firm practical standing in farm and ranch estate transfers.
PracticesEstate PlanningAgriculture LawBusiness LitigationReal Estate Law
FirmReno, NV
Serves Washoe, Carson City, and Douglas counties from Damonte Ranch in Reno, with a second office in Minden. Handles trust and probate administration for surviving families alongside wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, special-needs trusts, and retirement-account trusts. Runs free public estate planning workshops; consultations are not advertised as free.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateGuardianshipand 2 more
FirmReno, NV
Carlson & Work serves Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and Washoe County from its California Avenue office, handling revocable and irrevocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and living wills. Launched in 2018 by former prosecutor Mathew Work, the firm pairs estate planning with family law and criminal defense.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateCriminal DefenseTrustsWills
FirmReno, NV
Reno firm in the south-meadows district serving northern Nevada, the Lake Tahoe basin, and Las Vegas in estate planning, trust administration, probate, and asset protection. Handles revocable and irrevocable trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and life insurance trusts at published flat fees. Attorney Tyson Cross is licensed in Nevada and California. Free consultation.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax PlanningAsset Protection
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 Nevada statutes and official state code. How we research.
Estate planning articles for Nevada.
Forms and tools for property owners in Churchill 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 Nevada.
