Estate Planning for Butler County, Ohio Property Owners

For most Butler 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 Butler 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 Butler 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, Butler County property passes through the Probate Court — even simple Ohio probates run 6+ months and start with $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.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Butler County

A transfer on death designation affidavit names a beneficiary who receives Butler 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.

Create a OhioTOD deed →Butler Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Butler County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Danny N. Crank, at 130 High St., 2nd Floor, Hamilton, OH 45011. Phone: 513-887-3192. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 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 Butler County comes to $34. A transfer on death designation affidavit is exempt from transfer tax.

Butler County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC, ePN.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Butler County · County Recorder · Danny N. Crank

Address

130 High St., 2nd FloorHamilton, OH 45011

Fax

513-887-3198

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

E-recording

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

Recording fees

Base fee (first 2 pages)$34
Each page beyond 2$8
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

ORC 317.32(A)(1); ORC 317.36(A)

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 8, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Butler County

FirmLebanon, OH

Herdman, Summers, Revelson & Cesta, LLP

Serves 4 counties

A Lebanon general practice serving Warren County and greater Cincinnati, filing in the Warren County Probate Court on Memorial Drive. Handles probate and elder law alongside real estate, foreclosure, and small business matters — the mix of work an estate often needs when a family also has property or a business to settle.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawBusiness LawReal Estate

Office
1000 East Main StreetLebanon, OH 45036

FirmWest Chester, OH

Millikin & Fitton Law Firm

Since 1840 · Serves 3 counties

Butler County firm with offices in West Chester and downtown Hamilton, filing in the Butler County Probate Court and neighboring courts. Assists executors and trustees with estate administration and trust settlement, and handles the transfer of family-business interests when an owner dies. One of the oldest continuously operating practices in the region.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness Succession

Office
9032 Union Centre Boulevard, Suite 200West Chester, OH 45069

FirmCincinnati, OH

Stiebel Law Firm, LLC

Serves 4 counties

Serves Hamilton County from Montgomery Road in northeast Cincinnati, filing in the Hamilton County Probate Court. Its estate planning and administration practice carries estates and trusts through settlement for owners of family and closely held businesses, with the related tax work those estates raise. Mark Stiebel is an OSBA certified specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax PlanningBusiness Succession

Office
10700 Montgomery Road, Suite 212Cincinnati, OH 45242

FirmMason, OH

The Allen Law Firm, LLC

Serves 5 counties

Mason office covering the Warren County Probate Court and neighboring Butler, Hamilton, Clermont, and Clinton county courts. Works with executors and heirs moving assets through probate, along with trust drafting and asset-protection planning for families before death. Initial case reviews are offered in person, by phone, or by video conference.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateAsset Protection

Office
8469 Mason-Montgomery Road, Suite 2Mason, OH 45040
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmCincinnati, OH

Zimmer Law Firm

Since 1993 · Serves 4 counties

Kenwood-based practice serving the Hamilton County Probate Court and the surrounding Butler, Warren, and Clermont county courts. Handles trust settlement and estate administration for surviving spouses and adult-child executors, including Medicaid asset recovery and special needs beneficiary situations. Free consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more

Office
9825 Kenwood Road, Suite 201Cincinnati, OH 45242
Free consultation

FirmCincinnati, OH

Favret Law, LLC

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

Office
2631 Erie AvenueCincinnati, OH 45208
See all 20 firms serving Butler 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 Ohio statutes and official state code. How we research.

Ohio Estate Planning Articles

Estate planning articles for Ohio.