Estate Planning for Trumbull County, Ohio Property Owners

For most Trumbull 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 Trumbull 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 Trumbull 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 $161 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 Trumbull County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Trumbull County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Dawn Zinni-Hanni, at 160 High St. NW, Warren, OH 44481. Phone: 330-675-2401. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 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 Trumbull County. A transfer on death designation affidavit is exempt from transfer tax.

Trumbull County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Trumbull County · County Recorder · Dawn Zinni-Hanni

Address

160 High St. NWWarren, OH 44481

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:30 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)

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 8, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Trumbull County

FirmYoungstown, OH

Henderson, Covington, Messenger, Newman & Thomas Co., L.P.A.

Serves 3 counties

A downtown Youngstown firm at Federal Plaza Central working through the Mahoning County Probate Court. Handles estate and trust administration, probate of estates, and will and trust contests where heirs or beneficiaries dispute an instrument. Also manages wealth-transfer planning tied to estate settlement.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTax Planning

Office
6 Federal Plaza Central, Suite 1300Youngstown, OH 44503

Solo PracticeCortland, OH

Law Office of John C. Grundy

Serves 5 counties

A Cortland practice in northern Trumbull County handling probate and estate administration through the Trumbull County Probate Court and neighboring counties. Manages estate settlement including court appearances, asset transfers, and estate tax returns, plus trustee and guardian representation. Also drafts special-needs trusts for families with a disabled beneficiary.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more

Office
3578 Niles-Cortland RoadCortland, OH 44410

FirmYoungstown, OH

Roth, Blair, Roberts, Strasfeld & Lodge, L.P.A.

Serves 3 counties

A long-established Youngstown firm at City Centre One that also keeps a Columbiana office, covering the Mahoning, Columbiana, and Trumbull County probate courts. Administers estates and trusts, resolves estate and trust litigation, and handles business-succession transfers when an owner dies. Attorneys Thomas Lodge and Christopher Patrick concentrate on this work.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more

Office
100 East Federal Street, Suite 600Youngstown, OH 44503

FirmWarren, OH

Burkey, Burkey & Scher Co., L.P.A.

Since 1966

Burkey, Burkey & Scher has served the Mahoning Valley for over 50 years, providing estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate administration services to clients in Warren, Youngstown, and throughout Trumbull County.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
200 Chestnut Avenue NEWarren, OH 44483
Free consultation

FirmWarren, OH

Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell, Ltd.

Since 1834

Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell traces its history to 1834, making it one of the oldest law practices in the Mahoning Valley. With offices in Youngstown, Warren, and Salem, HHM is the area's largest firm. Their estate planning and elder law attorneys advise clients on wills, trusts, probate administration, and long-term care issues.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawGuardianship

Office
108 Main Avenue SW, Suite 500Warren, OH 44481

FirmBoardman, OH

DiLoreto Law

DiLoreto Law serves individuals and families throughout Mahoning, Columbiana, and Trumbull counties with estate planning, elder law, Medicaid planning, long-term care, asset protection, wills, trusts, special needs planning, powers of attorney, and probate administration.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more

Office
848 Woodfield CourtBoardman, OH 44512
Free consultation
See all 20 firms serving Trumbull 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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