For most Brown 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 Brown County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Probate Court. The two tools that keep a Brown 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, Brown County property passes through the Probate Court — even simple Ohio probates run 6+ months and start with about $200 in filing fees. Ohio also lets owners name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on vehicle titles, which keeps cars out of the same process.
A transfer on death designation affidavit names a beneficiary who receives Brown 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, an Ohio transfer on death designation affidavit is signed with a notary juratORC 5302.22 to 5302.24Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathORC 5302.22 to 5302.24Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Deeds and other real property documents for Brown County are recorded with the County Recorder at 800 Mt. Orab Pike, Suite 151, Georgetown, OH 45121. Phone: 937-378-6478. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
The County Recorder charges $34 for the first 2 pages plus $8 for each page beyond 2. Recording a 2-page transfer on death designation affidavit in Brown County comes to $34. A transfer on death designation affidavit is exempt from transfer tax.
Brown County accepts electronic recording through Corporation Service Company (CSC), ePN, Indecomm Global Services, Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Brown County
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Base fee (first 2 pages) | $34 |
| Each page beyond 2 | $8 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | Exempt |
ORC 317.32(A)(1); ORC 317.36(A)
Verified September 8, 2026 · Source
FirmMilford, OH
Serves Clermont County from Main Street in Milford, filing in the Clermont County Probate Court in Batavia. Handles probate administration — the court process of transferring a decedent’s property — along with guardianship and adoption matters that arise when a family member dies. In the Milford community since 1977.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipBusiness LawReal Estate
FirmCincinnati, OH
Favret Law is a boutique firm in Cincinnati's Hyde Park neighborhood that focuses exclusively on wills, trusts, estate planning, and probate. Bruce Favret is one of fewer than 160 attorneys in Ohio certified as a specialist in wills, trusts, and probate by the OSBA. The father-daughter team is licensed in both Ohio and Kentucky.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate
FirmWest Chester, OH
Rosenbauer Law Office is an estate planning firm in West Chester serving the greater Cincinnati area. Founded in 2012 by Nicholas Rosenbauer, the firm focuses exclusively on estate planning, trust administration, and probate with a personalized, family-first approach.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate
FirmCincinnati, OH
Wood + Lamping's Trusts, Estates and Wealth Transfer Practice represents clients in all aspects of estate planning, probate, and estate tax law. Over 90 years in Cincinnati; Tier 1 in 8 practice areas (2025 Best Law Firms).
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more
Solo PracticeHillsboro, OH
Schroeder Law Group serves Highland County and surrounding southern Ohio communities from Hillsboro. Attorney James Schroeder handles estate planning, probate, real estate, business law, and nonprofit formation. Licensed in Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate
FirmAkron, OH
Serves Northeast Ohio from offices in Akron, Canton, and Cleveland. The Trusts & Estates group guides executors and trustees through estate and trust administration and handles contested matters including will and trust disputes, fiduciary litigation, and probate litigation, alongside business succession planning. Founded 1913.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness SuccessionCharitable Planning
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 Ohio statutes and official state code. How we research.
Estate planning articles for Ohio.
Forms and tools for property owners in Brown 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 Ohio.
