For most Sierra 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 Sierra County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Sierra County Probate Court. The two tools that keep a Sierra County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Clerk, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Sierra County property passes through the Sierra County Probate Court — even simple New Mexico probates run 4+ months and start with $30 in filing fees.
A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Sierra County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Clerk during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.
Before recording, a New Mexico transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentNMSA 45-6-401 to 45-6-417Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathNMSA 45-6-401 to 45-6-417Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Deeds and other real property documents for Sierra County are recorded with the County Clerk, led by County Clerk Amy C. Whitehead, at 1712 N. Date Street, Suite A, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901. Phone: 575-894-2840. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
The County Clerk charges $25 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Sierra County comes to $25. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.
Sierra County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Sierra County · County Clerk · Amy C. Whitehead
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $25 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | Exempt |
NMSA 14-8-15
Verified September 8, 2026 · Source
FirmLas Cruces, NM
Serves southern New Mexico from Las Cruces, with offices in Albuquerque and Truth or Consequences. Handles wills, trusts, estate planning, and probate and estate administration for executors and personal representatives. Spanish-language service, with a stated focus on Hispanic and multigenerational families.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTrustsWills
FirmEl Paso, TX
An El Paso elder law and estate planning firm with a staffed New Mexico office in Truth or Consequences, serving Sierra County, Las Cruces and southern New Mexico. Handles probate administration, Medicaid planning, asset protection, and trusts under both Texas and New Mexico law. Offers a free consultation.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawMedicaid Planningand 2 more
FirmDeming, NM
Serves Luna, Grant, and Sierra counties from Deming. Handles estate planning, wills and trusts, probate, and the real-estate transfers that follow a death, alongside business matters.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness PlanningReal Estateand 2 more
Solo PracticeLas Cruces, NM
Serves Doña Ana County and southern New Mexico from Las Cruces. Focuses on elder law and estate planning — Medicaid planning, guardianships and conservatorships, probate, and trust administration — after 30 years in practice. Michele Ungvarsky is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 3 more
FirmSilver City, NM
Established in 1973, Lopez, Dietzel & Perkins serves Grant County and surrounding southwest New Mexico communities from Silver City. A general practice firm covering estate planning, probate, real estate, and business matters.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawGuardianshipand 2 more
Solo PracticeAlamogordo, NM
S. Bert Atkins Law Office is located in Alamogordo and specializes in estate planning, business law, and family law. The firm assists with preparation of wills, trusts, powers of attorney and other advance directives, and helps identify ways to avoid probate.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness PlanningPowers Of Attorneyand 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 Mexico statutes and official state code. How we research.
Estate planning articles for New Mexico.
Forms and tools for property owners in Sierra 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 Mexico.
