Estate Planning for Fairfield County, Ohio Property Owners

For most Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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, Fairfield 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.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Fairfield County

A transfer on death designation affidavit names a beneficiary who receives Fairfield 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 →Fairfield Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Fairfield County are recorded with the County Recorder at 210 E. Main St., Suite 205, Lancaster, OH 43130. Phone: 740-652-7100. 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 Fairfield County comes to $34. A transfer on death designation affidavit is exempt from transfer tax.

Fairfield County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Fairfield County

Address

210 E. Main St., Suite 205Lancaster, OH 43130

Hours

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

E-recording

Available via SimplifileE-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 Fairfield County

FirmWorthington, OH

R. F. Meyer & Associates

Serves 7 counties

Serves Franklin, Delaware, and surrounding central Ohio counties from Worthington, filing in the Franklin County Probate Court. Handles probate and estate administration for executors and administrators alongside guardianship, Medicaid planning, and special needs trusts. Richard F. Meyer is an OSBA certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Free 15-minute phone consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 4 more

Office
450 West Wilson Bridge Road, Suite 380Worthington, OH 43085
Free consultationVirtual consultations

Solo PracticeLancaster, OH

Sitterley Law, LLC

Since 2019

Sitterley Law provides estate planning and elder law services from the historic Mithoff Building in downtown Lancaster. Jennifer Sitterley is one of approximately 38 Certified Elder Law Attorneys in Ohio (CELA) and the only one in Fairfield County. Also OSBA Certified Specialist in Elder Law.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 4 more

Office
166 West Main Street, Suite 201Lancaster, OH 43130

FirmColumbus, OH

Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP

Since 1967

Serves families across central Ohio from its Columbus office on Goodale Boulevard. The Family Wealth & Estate Planning group handles wills, trusts, and probate administration, and represents beneficiaries, creditors, and fiduciaries in contested estate matters. Founded 1967.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 more

Office
950 Goodale Boulevard, Suite 200Columbus, OH 43212

FirmDelaware, OH

Gordon Law Office

Gordon Law Office serves clients in Delaware, Franklin, Morrow, Marion, and adjacent counties with estate planning, probate, wills, trusts, and real estate matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
82 North Franklin StreetDelaware, OH 43015

FirmColumbus, OH

Isaac Wiles Burkholder & Miller, LLC

Isaac Wiles has been serving Columbus since 1936. Their Estate Planning, Trust & Probate practice group handles elder law and estate administration, with attorneys involved in nearly every precedent-setting case in Ohio relating to elder law and Medicaid eligibility. AV Preeminent rated; 15 attorneys named Best Lawyers in America 2025.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawTax Planning

Office
2 Miranova Place, Suite 700Columbus, OH 43215

FirmColumbus, OH

Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter Co., LPA

The Columbus-based Probate, Trusts + Estates group handles probate and trust administration, including estate filings, fiduciary tax returns, and beneficiary distribution. Its attorneys litigate will contests, trust-interpretation disputes, and breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims, and have administered estates exceeding $70 million. Chambers USA 2025 ranked.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax PlanningBusiness Succession

Office
65 East State Street, Suite 1800Columbus, OH 43215
See all 23 firms serving Fairfield 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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