Estate Planning for Wood County, Ohio Property Owners

For most Wood 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 Wood 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 Wood 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 $225 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 Wood County

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

Create a Ohio TOD deed →Wood County signing requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Wood County are recorded with the County Recorder at One Courthouse Square, Bowling Green, OH 43402. Phone: 1-419-354-9140. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM.

The County Recorder charges $39 for the first 2 pages plus $8 for each page beyond 2. A 2-page transfer on death designation affidavit costs $39 to record in Wood County. A transfer on death designation affidavit is exempt from transfer tax.

Wood County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Wood County

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM

Office

One Courthouse Square, Bowling Green, OH 43402

Open in Google Maps

Fees

Recording fees

Base fee (first 2 pages)$39
Each page beyond 2$8
Transfer tax on a TOD deedTOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax

ORC 317.32(A)(1)(a)-(b); ORC 317.36(A); Wood County Recorder Recording Fees Calculator

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Wood County

FirmRossford, OH

Heban, Murphree & Lewandowski, LLC

Since 2010 · Serves 7 counties

Heban, Murphree & Lewandowski combines over 100 years of collective expertise in probate, estate planning, and litigation. Founded in 2010, the firm serves clients throughout northwest Ohio from Rossford, handling probate administration, estate litigation, wills and trusts, and inheritance disputes. Licensed in both Ohio and Michigan.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigation

Office
200 Dixie HighwayRossford, OH 43460

FirmToledo, OH

Malone, Ault & Farell

Since 1991 · Serves 5 counties

Serves Toledo and northwest Ohio, including Lucas, Wood, and Fulton counties. The trusts and estates group prepares wills, trusts, and guardianships, and on the settlement side assists executors with collecting, valuing, and distributing estate assets and defends beneficiary rights in Ohio probate court. Founded 1991.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planningand 2 more

Office
7654 West Bancroft StreetToledo, OH 43617

FirmToledo, OH

Mockensturm, Ltd.

Since 1999 · Serves 6 counties

Mockensturm, Ltd. is a team of attorneys and CPAs providing business- and tax-related legal services throughout the Toledo area and northern Ohio. Founded in 1999 by Mark Mockensturm, the firm brings combined legal and accounting expertise to estate planning, probate, trusts, and tax matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax PlanningBusiness Succession

Office
1119 Adams Street, Floor 1Toledo, OH 43604

FirmFremont, OH

The Bowlus Law Firm, Ltd.

Serves 4 counties

The Bowlus Law Firm is a general practice law firm in downtown Fremont focusing on estate planning, elder law, wills and trusts, real estate, and business law. The firm serves Sandusky County and the surrounding northwest Ohio region.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawBusiness Succession

Office
207 North Park AvenueFremont, OH 43420

FirmBowling Green, OH

Middleton Law Offices, Ltd.

Middleton Law Offices has served families in northwestern Ohio from Bowling Green for over 100 years. Three generations of Middleton attorneys have practiced at the firm. The firm focuses on estate planning, probate avoidance, elder law, and residential and commercial real estate, serving Wood, Henry, Lucas, and Hancock counties.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Law

Office
521 North Main StreetBowling Green, OH 43402

FirmToledo, OH

Eastman & Smith Ltd.

Since 1844

Eastman & Smith is among the oldest companies in Toledo and one of the oldest law firms in Ohio, founded in 1844. Their Estate Planning, Trust and Probate attorneys provide estate planning, charitable planned giving, probate administration, trust administration, and business succession planning services.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planningand 2 more

Office
One SeaGate, 27th Floor, 550 North Summit StreetToledo, OH 43604
See all 21 firms serving Wood 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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Data sourced from Ohio statutes and official state code. How we research.

Forms for Planning Your Estate in Ohio

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Last Will and Testament

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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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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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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 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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