Estate Planning for Medina, Ohio Property Owners

For most Medina 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 Medina 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 Medina 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, Medina 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 Medina County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Medina County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Linda Hoffmann, at 144 N. Broadway St., Room 117, Medina, OH 44256. Phone: 330-725-9782. 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 Medina County comes to $34. A transfer on death designation affidavit is exempt from transfer tax.

Medina County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Medina County · County Recorder · Linda Hoffmann

Address

144 N. Broadway St., Room 117Medina, OH 44256

Hours

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

Verified September 8, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Medina County

FirmMedina, OH

Edmonds Sorgen, LLC

Serves 5 counties

A Medina office serving Medina County through the Medina County Probate Court. Its estate administration practice carries executors through probate — collecting and distributing the assets a decedent held in their sole name — and administers trusts, alongside elder law and Medicaid work. Marie Mirro Edmonds is an OSBA certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more

Office
807 East Washington Street, Suite 200Medina, OH 44256

FirmAvon, OH

Wickens Herzer Panza

Since 1932 · Serves 5 counties

Serves Lorain and Erie counties from Chester Road in Avon, filing in the Lorain County Probate Court in Elyria, with a second office in Sandusky. Its estate planning and probate team handles trust, estate, and probate litigation and business succession alongside private foundation counseling and tax-efficient property transfers.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 more

Office
35765 Chester RoadAvon, OH 44011

FirmMedina, OH

Williams & Batchelder, LLP

Since 1880

Founded in 1880, Williams & Batchelder is one of the oldest law firms in Medina County with over 140 years of continuous practice. The six-attorney firm handles estate planning, probate, wills and trusts, and IRS tax dispute resolution.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planning

Office
105 West Liberty StreetMedina, OH 44256

Solo PracticeMentor, OH

Cianciola Law LLC

Cianciola Law serves clients in Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Ashtabula counties with estate planning, trusts, probate, corporate law, and real estate. Shannon Cianciola is a National Business Institute faculty member and member of the Lake County Bar Association.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
6990 Lindsay Drive, Suite 6BMentor, OH 44060
Free consultation

FirmCleveland, OH

Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP

The Cleveland-based Private Wealth Services group serves clients across Ohio. It handles estate settlement, trust administration, and fiduciary services, along with asset protection, charitable planning, and succession planning for closely held companies. Chambers HNW ranked.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax PlanningCharitable Planning

Office
200 Public Square, Suite 2800Cleveland, OH 44114

FirmChardon, OH

Ibold & O'Brien

Since 1980

Founded in 1980, Ibold & O'Brien is one of the largest law firms in Geauga County, with offices in Chardon and Orwell. The estate planning practice handles wills, trusts, probate, guardianships, and powers of attorney. Dennis Ibold has been recognized as an Ohio Super Lawyer for 18 consecutive years.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawGuardianship

Office
401 South StreetChardon, OH 44024
Free consultation
See all 24 firms serving Medina 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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