For most Deschutes 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 Deschutes County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Circuit Court. The two tools that keep a Deschutes County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Clerk, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Deschutes County property passes through the Circuit Court — even simple Oregon probates run 4+ months and start with $278 in filing fees.
A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Deschutes County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Clerk during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.
Before recording, an Oregon transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentORS 93.948 to 93.979Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathORS 93.948 to 93.979Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Deeds and other real property documents for Deschutes County are recorded with the County Clerk at 1300 NW Wall Street, Suite 202, Bend, OR 97703. Phone: 541-388-6549. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed 2nd Thursday of each month 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM).
The County Clerk charges $102 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Deschutes County comes to $107.
Deschutes County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Deschutes County
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $102 |
| Each additional page | $5 |
ORS 205.320(1)(d)(A); ORS 205.323(1)
Verified September 8, 2026 · Source
Solo PracticePrineville, OR
Edmonds Law LLC is the solo practice of attorney Collin T. Edmonds, serving Central Oregon from offices in Prineville, Bend, and Redmond. The firm focuses on estate planning, probate administration, and protective proceedings including guardianships and conservatorships.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianship
FirmRedmond, OR
Fitch and Neary PC is a Redmond-based firm serving Central Oregon (Redmond, Sisters, Prineville, Madras, and Bend) with estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate, alongside real estate, land use, civil litigation, and business law. Four-attorney practice with 70+ combined years of experience.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorshipand 4 more
FirmBend, OR
Francis Hansen Martin LLP is a Bend firm serving individuals, families, and businesses across Central Oregon. The estate planning practice covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care proxies, along with probate, trust administration, and wealth-transfer tax planning for larger estates.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planningand 3 more
FirmRedmond, OR
The Law Offices of Bryant Emerson is a Redmond firm tracing its roots to 1905, serving Central Oregon with trusts and estate planning, probate, real estate, family law, and corporate law.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness Lawand 2 more
FirmBend, OR
Serves Deschutes County and Central Oregon from Bend. Handles estate planning, trust drafting, probate administration, and guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, and reports more than 590 estates planned and 290 probate engagements.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorshipGuardianship
FirmBend, OR
Bend firm serving Deschutes County and Central Oregon. Handles wills, trusts, and probate, and reviews plans for clients who move to Oregon so their existing documents meet Oregon requirements.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness Succession
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 Oregon statutes and official state code. How we research.
Estate planning articles for Oregon.
Forms and tools for property owners in Deschutes 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 Oregon.
