Brown, Bemiller, Murray & Haring provides legal representation to clients in Richland County and North Central Ohio in probate and estate planning, covering wills, trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, guardianships, conservatorships, estate litigation, will contests, and federal estate tax preparation.
Estate Planning for Hardin County, Ohio Property Owners
For most Hardin 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 Hardin 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 Hardin 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, Hardin County property passes through the Probate Court — even simple Ohio probates run 6+ months and start with $250 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 Hardin County
A transfer on death designation affidavit names a beneficiary who receives Hardin 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 Oct 19, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathORC 5302.22 to 5302.24Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
Where to Record Property Documents
Deeds and other real property documents for Hardin County are recorded with the County Recorder at One Courthouse Square, Suite 220, Kenton, OH 43326. Phone: 1-419-674-2252. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 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 Hardin County comes to $34. A transfer on death designation affidavit is exempt from transfer tax.
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
Hardin County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:00 PM
Office
One Courthouse Square, Suite 220, Kenton, OH 43326
Website
Fax
1-419-675-2802
Recording fees
| Base fee (first 2 pages) | $34 |
| Each page beyond 2 | $8 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax |
ORC 317.32(A)(1); ORC 317.36(A)
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Hardin County
Elsass, Wallace, Evans & Co. has served Shelby County and the Sidney area for over 40 years with estate and financial planning, probate and trust administration, and tax law. Both named partners hold perfect Martindale-Hubbell 5.0/5.0 ratings, and the firm has been repeatedly voted Best Law Firm by Sidney Daily News readers.
Eyer Law serves families throughout Crawford County and North Central Ohio with estate planning, elder law, probate, and Medicaid planning. Attorney Tani Eyer specializes in helping clients protect assets from Medicaid spend-down requirements.
Kick & Gilman serves Ashland County from offices in Ashland and Loudonville. The firm focuses on estate planning, Medicaid planning, asset protection, and estate administration, helping individuals, families, and businesses build and protect their assets. Voted Best Law Firm in Ashland County 2025.
Kidwell, Cunningham & Abrams serves Knox and Morrow counties from offices in Mount Vernon and Marengo. The firm handles estate planning, probate, real estate closings, title services, and small business formation. Founded in 2004, the practice has grown through partner additions.
M. Elizabeth Martindell provides probate, wills, trusts, and estate planning services to individuals and families in Marion and surrounding counties including Wyandot, Crawford, Morrow, Delaware, Union, and Hardin.
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.
Legal Sources
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Data sourced from Ohio statutes and official state code. How we research.
Forms for Planning Your Estate in Ohio
Free forms for planning your estate in Ohio: will, living trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney and TOD deed. Prepare each form for Ohio.
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Last Will and Testament
In Ohio, a will is signed before 2ORC § 2107.03Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and no self-proving affidavit is availableORC § 2107.03Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
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Codicil to a Will
In Ohio, a codicil is signed before 2ORC § 2107.03Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, like a will.
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Healthcare Power of Attorney
Ohio allows a choice for a healthcare power of attorney: 2ORC § 1337.17Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses or a notary.
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HIPAA Release
In Ohio, a HIPAA release names who may receive your records; the state regulates HIV/AIDS-related information and mental health recordsOhio Rev. Code § 3701.243(B)(1)(b), (E); Ohio Rev. Code § 5122.31(A)(1)Verified Jun 19, 2026View source above the federal rule, and the document carries each rule.
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Financial Power of Attorney
Ohio treats a power of attorney as durable by defaultORC §§ 1337.21–1337.64Verified Sep 18, 2026View source, and it is signed with no witness or notary requirementORC §§ 1337.21–1337.64Verified Oct 21, 2026View source.
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Transfer on Death Deed
In Ohio, a transfer on death designation affidavit is signed before a notaryORC 5302.22 to 5302.24Verified Oct 19, 2026View source, then recorded with the county before the owner's deathORC 5302.22 to 5302.24Verified Oct 19, 2026View source. Ohio does not recognize a Lady Bird deed.
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Vehicle Transfer on Death
Ohio allows a transfer-on-death beneficiary designation on a vehicle titleOhio Rev. Code 2131.13Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, filed through the County Clerk of Courts Title Office (Ohio BMV oversees motor vehicle records) using Form BMV 3811.
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Living Will
In Ohio, the living will is the Living Will DeclarationOhio Rev. Code Chapter 2133 (§§ 2133.01-2133.15)Verified Sep 27, 2026View source, a document of its own, apart from the healthcare power of attorney.
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Tools for Planning Your Estate in Ohio
Free tools for planning your estate in Ohio: will and trust costs, trust or TOD deed, and the signing rules. Run each tool for Ohio and read its answer.
How Do I Sign Estate Documents?
In Ohio, a will is signed before 2ORC § 2107.03Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and notarization is not requiredORC § 2107.03Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
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Will My Estate Documents Transfer?
Ohio recognizes a will signed under the law of the place where it was signedORC § 2107.18Verified Oct 19, 2026View source; a will signed in Ohio itself needs 2ORC § 2107.03Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and notarization is not requiredORC § 2107.03Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
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Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
In Ohio, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 1.8%Modeled estimate under ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.8%Modeled estimate under ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
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How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable living trust in Ohio runs $2,940Estimate: 10 hours at $294, Clio's Ohio Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $4,410Estimate: 15 hours at $294, Clio's Ohio Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source for an individual, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
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How Much Does a Will Cost?
An attorney-prepared will in Ohio runs $942Estimate: 3 hours at $314, Clio's Ohio Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $1,884Estimate: 6 hours at $314, Clio's Ohio Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $26,234ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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How Does SimplyTrust Compare to LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and Other Services?
Compare what it costs to make a trust official across SimplyTrust, LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker.
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How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children?
In Ohio, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writingOhio Rev. Code §§ 2111.12, 2111.121, 2111.02(D)(1)Verified Sep 16, 2026View source, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18Ohio Rev. Code § 3109.01Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
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Do I Need a Revocable Trust?
Probate in Ohio takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate and charges attorney fees of typically 1.8%Modeled estimate under ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.8%Modeled estimate under ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.
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Ohio Estate Planning Articles
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