Estate Planning for Douglas County, Nevada Property Owners

For most Douglas 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 Douglas County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Ninth Judicial District Court. The two tools that keep a Douglas 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.

Skipping this planning step means the Ninth Judicial District Court decides who receives the property: a simple Nevada probate takes 4+ months. Nevada 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 Douglas County

A deed upon death names a beneficiary who receives Douglas 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.

Create a NevadaTOD deed →Douglas Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Douglas County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Shawnyne Garren, at 1616 8th Street, Minden, NV 89423. Phone: 775-782-9025. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (public counter open through the lunch hour).

Documents submitted by mail go to PO Box 218, Minden, NV 89423.

The County Recorder charges $40 flat, regardless of page count. A 2-page deed upon death costs $40 to record in Douglas County. The office also requires a Declaration of Value with the deed, at no charge. A deed upon death is exempt from transfer tax.

Douglas County accepts electronic recording through CSC / Indecomm / Hopdox / EPN / Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Douglas County · County Recorder · Shawnyne Garren

Address

1616 8th StreetMinden, NV 89423Mailing: PO Box 218, Minden, NV 89423

Fax

775-783-6413

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (public counter open through the lunch hour)

E-recording

Available via CSC / Indecomm / Hopdox / EPN / SimplifileE-recording info →
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Flat fee (any length)$40
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

NRS 247.305

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 8, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Douglas County

FirmCarson City, NV

Allison MacKenzie, Ltd.

Since 1968 · Serves 5 counties

Carson City general-practice firm founded in 1968, serving Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Storey, and Washoe counties before the First Judicial District Court. Twelve attorneys handle wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, probate administration, and guardianships, with three focused specifically on probate. More than 50 years of continuous Nevada practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipBusiness LawReal Estate Law

Office
402 N. Division StreetCarson City, NV 89703

FirmCarson City, NV

Carson Tahoe Estate Planning Center, LLC

Serves 4 counties

Estate planning firm serving the Lake Tahoe Basin and Northern Nevada with offices in Carson City, Lake Tahoe, and Gardnerville. Founder Justin Sinner is licensed in both Nevada and California, focusing on revocable living trusts, wills, probate, trust administration, and guardianships.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateGuardianshipand 3 more

Office
123 W. Nye Lane, Suite 449Carson City, NV 89706
Free consultation

Solo PracticeCarson City, NV

Handelin Law, LTD

Since 2011 · Serves 5 counties

Carson City firm providing estate planning and business law services since 2011. Steven Handelin brings a direct, thoughtful approach to estate planning for clients across Carson City, Reno, Lake Tahoe, and surrounding communities. Licensed in both Nevada and California.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateAsset ProtectionBusiness Formationand 2 more

Office
1100 South Carson StreetCarson City, NV 89701

Solo PracticeReno, NV

J. Douglas Clark Attorney at Law, Ltd.

Since 1979 · Serves 6 counties

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

Office
510 West Plumb Lane, Suite BReno, NV 89509
Free consultation

FirmYerington, NV

Johnston Law Offices, P.C.

Serves 4 counties

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

Office
22 State Route 208Yerington, NV 89447

FirmMinden, NV

Kaufmann Law

Serves 3 counties

Estate planning and personal injury firm in Minden serving Douglas County, Carson City, and the Carson Valley. Gene Kaufmann brings 25+ years of experience with particular expertise in will contests and undue influence claims. Licensed in Nevada, California, and Indiana.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness PlanningWills

Office
1576 3rd StreetMinden, NV 89423
See all 33 firms serving Douglas 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 Nevada statutes and official state code. How we research.

Nevada Estate Planning Articles

Estate planning articles for Nevada.