For most Tuscarawas 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 Tuscarawas 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 Tuscarawas 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, Tuscarawas County property passes through the Probate Court — even simple Ohio probates run 6+ months and start with $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.
A transfer on death designation affidavit names a beneficiary who receives Tuscarawas 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.
Deeds and other real property documents for Tuscarawas County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Lori Gardner, at 125 E. High Ave., New Philadelphia, OH 44663. Phone: 330-365-3284. 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 Tuscarawas County comes to $34. A transfer on death designation affidavit is exempt from transfer tax.
Tuscarawas County accepts electronic recording through CSC ERecording Solutions, Hopdox, Indecomm Global Services, ePN, Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Tuscarawas County · County Recorder · Lori Gardner
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Base fee (first 2 pages) | $34 |
| Each page beyond 2 | $8 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | Exempt |
ORC 317.32(A)(1); ORC 317.36(A)
Verified September 8, 2026 · Source
FirmCoshocton, OH
Bratton Law LLC is a Coshocton County firm focused on estate planning and estate administration, with complementary services in elder law and special needs planning. Attorney Kelly Bratton brings prior experience as a probate paralegal and deputy clerk at the Coshocton County Juvenile/Probate Court.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawGuardianshipSpecial Needs Planning
FirmNew Philadelphia, OH
Fitzpatrick, Zimmerman & Rose has served Tuscarawas County from New Philadelphia since 1951. The AV Rated firm handles probate, wills, trusts, estate planning, and business succession planning with five attorneys across offices in New Philadelphia and Sugarcreek.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness Succession
FirmSteubenville, OH
Blake, Bednar, Blake & Richardson has over 50 years of legal experience serving the Ohio Valley. The firm handles probate, tax and estate planning, real estate, and business litigation for clients in Jefferson, Belmont, Harrison, and Carroll counties.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness Succession
FirmDover, OH
Operating since 1878, Kyler Lundholm is one of the oldest continuously operating law firms in Tuscarawas County. The full-service firm handles estate planning, probate, business law, and property law matters, serving New Philadelphia, Dover, Strasburg, Uhrichsville, and surrounding communities.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate
FirmWintersville, OH
Littlejohn Law handles estate planning, probate administration, probate litigation, trust administration, guardianships, special needs trusts, Medicaid asset protection trusts, will contests, and trustee removal. The firm serves Jefferson, Belmont, Harrison, and Carroll counties from Wintersville.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 more
FirmAkron, OH
Serves Northeast Ohio from offices in Akron, Canton, and Cleveland. The Trusts & Estates group guides executors and trustees through estate and trust administration and handles contested matters including will and trust disputes, fiduciary litigation, and probate litigation, alongside business succession planning. Founded 1913.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness SuccessionCharitable Planning
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.
Data sourced from Ohio statutes and official state code. How we research.
Estate planning articles for Ohio.
Forms and tools for property owners in Tuscarawas County.
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Create a free, state-specific will with witness and notarization requirements included.
Transfer assets to your existing trust. State execution requirements included.
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate.
Designate someone to make medical decisions on your behalf.
Designate someone to manage your financial affairs.
Answer questions about your estate size, real estate ownership, marital status, and family situation to see how a revocable trust compares to a will alone. Includes estimated probate costs for your state.
Answer questions about your property type, ownership structure, and estate plan to see if a TOD deed is the right approach. Includes state-specific availability, signing requirements, and recording fees.
Compare trusts vs wills for your specific situation. See probate costs, trust administration expenses, and whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures based on your state and estate value.
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.
Estate planning articles for Ohio.
