Estate Planning for Richland County, North Dakota Property Owners

For most Richland 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 Richland County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the District Court. The two tools that keep a Richland 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 District Court decides who receives the property: a simple North Dakota probate takes 4+ months and opens with $160 in court filing fees.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Richland County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Richland 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 North Dakota transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentNDCC 30.1-32.1-01 to 30.1-32.1-14Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathNDCC 30.1-32.1-01 to 30.1-32.1-14Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Richland County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Jackie Babbitt, at 418 2nd Ave N, Wahpeton, ND 58075. Phone: 701-642-7800. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:00pm.

Documents submitted by mail go to 418 2 Ave N, Dept. 20, Wahpeton, ND 58075.

The County Recorder charges $20 for the first 6 pages plus $3 for each page beyond 6. A 2-page transfer on death deed costs $20 to record in Richland County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Richland County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile / Indecomm / CSC / ePN.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Richland County · County Recorder · Jackie Babbitt

Address

418 2nd Ave NWahpeton, ND 58075Mailing: 418 2 Ave N, Dept. 20, Wahpeton, ND 58075

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:00pm

E-recording

Available via Simplifile / Indecomm / CSC / ePNE-recording info →
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first 6 pages)$20
Each page beyond 6$3
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

N.D.C.C. § 11-18-05(1)(a) (tiered recording fee); § 11-18-05(1)(a)(2)-(4) (font, legal description, 3-inch first-page header space); § 11-18-05(1)(d) (1-inch margin rule and $10 nonconformance fee); § 11-18-05(2) (filing fee); § 11-18-05(3) (copy fees)

Verified September 7, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Richland County

Solo PracticeWahpeton, ND

Green Law Firm, P.C.

Solo practice in Wahpeton serving Richland County and the Wahpeton-Breckenridge border communities, licensed in North Dakota and South Dakota. Takes on estate administration for newly appointed personal representatives, welcomes out-of-state executors needing local counsel, and represents excluded heirs in will contests. Free consultations.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawTax Planning

Office
328 Dakota AvenueWahpeton, ND 58075
Free consultation

Solo PracticeWahpeton, ND

Krassin Law Office

Solo practice in Wahpeton serving Richland County and the Wahpeton-Breckenridge border area. Handles wills, estates, and probate alongside business formation and family law. Don Krassin was admitted in North Dakota in 1976; a toll-free line serves out-of-area clients.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateWills

Office
120 S. First StreetWahpeton, ND 58075

FirmWahpeton, ND

Smith & Strege, Ltd.

Since 1981

Wahpeton firm across from the Richland County Courthouse, with four attorneys. Provides probate services in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, and manages estates in other states where clients owned property, which suits families facing an ancillary probate. Elder law covers guardianships, Medicaid, and nursing home issues.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax Planning

Office
321 Dakota AvenueWahpeton, ND 58075

Serves Fargo-Moorhead and Cass County. Probate work runs from identifying assets and the personal representative through commencing the estate, appointing the representative, and distributing both probate and non-probate property, including jointly held accounts and life insurance proceeds. Also handles farm and business succession.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTrust LitigationAgricultural LawProbate Administration

Office
4132 30th Avenue South, Suite 100Fargo, ND 58104

Solo PracticeFargo, ND

Astrup Law Office, P.C.

Solo practice in Fargo serving Cass County and the surrounding Red River Valley. Jason Astrup has practiced in North Dakota since 2005 and appears as counsel for the personal representative in Cass County probate matters. Also handles estate planning, trust administration, and guardianship and conservatorship.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationGuardianshipBusiness LawProbate Administration

Office
3186 Sienna Dr. S.Fargo, ND 58104

Solo PracticeFargo, ND

Cheryl Bergian Law Office

Solo practice in Fargo serving North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. Handles probate from the petition and appointment of the personal representative through creditor notices, inventory, payment of debts and taxes, sale of estate real estate, and distribution, representing either the representative or an heir disputing a will. Free 30-minute consultations.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipWills

Office
112 N. University Drive, Suite 201Fargo, ND 58102
Free consultation
See all 29 firms serving Richland 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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