Estate Planning for Madison County, Ohio Property Owners

For most Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison 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 about $200 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 Madison County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Madison County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Rachel Fisher, at 1 N. Main St., Room 40, London, OH 43140. Phone: 740-852-1854. 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 Madison County. A transfer on death designation affidavit is exempt from transfer tax.

Madison County accepts electronic recording through CSC eRecording, Simplifile, ePN, Hopdox.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Madison County · County Recorder · Rachel Fisher

Address

1 N. Main St., Room 40London, OH 43140

Fax

740-845-1776

Hours

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

E-recording

Available via CSC eRecording, Simplifile, ePN, HopdoxE-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 Madison 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

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

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 24 firms serving Madison 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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