Estate Planning for Franklin County, Ohio Property Owners

For most Franklin 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 Franklin 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 Franklin 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 Probate Court decides who receives the property: a simple Ohio probate takes 6+ months and opens with $250 in court 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 Franklin County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Franklin County are recorded with the County Recorder at 373 S. High St., 18th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215. Phone: 614-525-3930. 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. A 2-page transfer on death designation affidavit costs $34 to record in Franklin County. A transfer on death designation affidavit is exempt from transfer tax.

Franklin County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Franklin County

Address

373 S. High St., 18th FloorColumbus, OH 43215

Fax

614-525-4299

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 Franklin County

Solo PracticeColumbus, OH

Balch Law

Serves 4 counties

A boutique practice on Dublin Road between Grandview and Upper Arlington, serving Franklin County through the Franklin County Probate Court. Handles probate, estate, and trust administration for fiduciaries, including federal estate tax returns and portability elections. Jacintha Balch is an OSBA certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawTax Planning

Office
1335 Dublin Road, Suite 203AColumbus, OH 43215

FirmColumbus, OH

Kessler & Ballenger Co., L.P.A.

Serves 4 counties

Serves Franklin and Delaware county families from the Rivers Edge office on Columbus’s northwest side, filing in the Franklin County Probate Court. The practice is limited to estate planning, probate, and estate taxation rather than general litigation. Russell Kessler is an OSBA certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Free initial consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax PlanningGuardianship

Office
7650 Rivers Edge Drive, Suite 220Columbus, OH 43235
Free consultation

FirmWesterville, OH

Metz, Bailey & McLoughlin, LLP

Serves 4 counties

Serves Franklin and Delaware county families from Schrock Road in Westerville, filing in the Franklin County Probate Court. Probate and estate administration is a named practice area alongside estate planning, business law, and real estate. William McLoughlin is an OSBA certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness LawReal Estate

Office
33 East Schrock Road, Suite 1Westerville, OH 43081

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

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

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
See all 25 firms serving Franklin 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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