For most Sullivan 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 Sullivan County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the 5th Circuit - Probate Division. The two tools that keep a Sullivan 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.
Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Sullivan County property passes through the 5th Circuit - Probate Division — even simple New Hampshire probates run 6+ months and start with $150 in filing fees.
A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Sullivan 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 New Hampshire transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentRSA 563-D:1 to 563-D:22Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded within 60 daysRSA 563-D:1 to 563-D:22Verified Aug 24, 2026View source of signing and before the owner's deathRSA 563-D:1 to 563-D:22Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Deeds and other real property documents for Sullivan County are recorded with the Register of Deeds, led by Register of Deeds Renee Simino, at 14 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Newport, NH 03773. Phone: 603-863-2110. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Recording stops at 3:00 PM (posted as until further notice); copies until 3:30 PM.
The Register of Deeds charges $12 for the first page plus $4 for each additional page. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Sullivan County comes to $41, which is $16 in recording fees plus the $25 LCHIP Surcharge (Land and Community Heritage Investment Program). A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.
Sullivan County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC, Hopdox, Indecomm, ePN.
Recording Office Record
Sullivan County · Register of Deeds · Renee Simino
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $12 |
| Each additional page | $4 |
| LCHIP Surcharge (Land and Community Heritage Investment Program)Applies to a TOD deed | $25 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | Exempt |
RSA 478:17-g; RSA 478:17-j; RSA 78-B:1; RSA 78-B:2; RSA 78-B:4
Verified September 7, 2026 · Source
FirmClaremont, NH
General practice law firm serving Sullivan County, west-central New Hampshire, and the Upper Valley since 1946. Four full-time attorneys with over 55 years of collective legal experience.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationElder LawGuardianship
Solo PracticeClaremont, NH
Solo general-practice firm in Claremont handling probate for Sullivan County families through the New Hampshire probate court. Administers decedents' estates and guardianships, preparing and filing court forms, securing surety bonds, and handling asset valuation and creditor identification, and also drafts wills, trusts, and advance directives. Offers a free probate administration consultation.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateWills
FirmLebanon, NH
Serves Grafton and Sullivan County families from Lebanon, with a second office in Lyme, and publishes as Legacy Counsellors North, PLLC after merging with Legacy Counsellors, P.C. Practice is limited to estate planning and estate settlement, elder law, and Medicaid and special-needs planning; the settlement side covers probate, trust administration, and post-death asset transfers.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more
Solo PracticeHampton, NH
Estate planning firm serving the Seacoast and southern New Hampshire with offices in Hampton, Windham, Concord, and New London. Candice O'Neil brings nearly 20 years of estate planning experience and formerly served as a NH State Representative.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness SuccessionPowers Of Attorneyand 2 more
FirmConcord, NH
A growing firm with statewide coverage. Andrew Winters leads estate planning, with over 20 years of legal experience. The firm uses licensed legal software for document assembly and provides secure digital lifetime access to estate planning documents.
PracticesEstate PlanningPowers Of AttorneyTrustsWills
FirmManchester, NH
Long-established Manchester firm with Concord and Portsmouth offices, serving New Hampshire families through the state's probate courts. Handles probate administration of estates and trust administration, and represents estates and trusts before the IRS and NH Department of Revenue on estate and gift tax matters. The estate group is led by firm president Anu Mullikin.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 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 New Hampshire statutes and official state code. How we research.
Estate planning articles for New Hampshire.
Forms and tools for property owners in Sullivan 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 New Hampshire.
