Estate Planning for Collin County, Texas Property Owners

For most Collin 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 Collin County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Statutory Probate Court. The two tools that keep a Collin 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.

Skipping this planning step means the Statutory Probate Court decides who receives the property: a simple Texas probate takes 4+ months and opens with $393 in court filing fees. Texas 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 Collin County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Collin 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, a Texas transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentTex. Estates Code 114.001 to 114.106Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathTex. Estates Code 114.001 to 114.106Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Collin County are recorded with the County Clerk in McKinney, TX 75071.

The County Clerk charges $25 for the first page plus $4 for each additional page. A 2-page transfer on death deed costs $29 to record in Collin County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Collin County

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$25
Each additional page$4
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 118.011(a)(2), § 118.0216, § 118.025

Verified September 8, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Collin County

FirmDallas, TX

Burch Law

Serves 3 counties

North Dallas firm serving Dallas, Collin, and Denton counties, with founder Lorie Burch and two associate attorneys. Drafts wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and directives to physicians, handles probate, and runs a mobile notary service that brings document signings to clients at home or bedside. Initial calls are free of charge.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateLiving WillsPower Of Attorneyand 2 more

Office
7920 Belt Line Rd, Suite 700Dallas, TX 75254
Free consultation

FirmPlano, TX

Crain & Wooley

Serves 4 counties

Serves the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex from Plano, with a Mansfield office and an appointment-only Fort Worth office. Handles independent and dependent administration, muniment of title, determination of heirship, and small estate affidavits in Collin, Dallas, Tarrant, and Denton county probate courts. Planning is billed at a flat rate, probate hourly.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationGuardianshipand 4 more

Office
2805 Dallas Parkway, Suite 400Plano, TX 75093
Virtual consultations

FirmDallas, TX

Davis Stephenson, PLLC

Serves 4 counties

Serves Dallas County and the surrounding North Texas area from 100 Crescent Court in downtown Dallas. Carries probate, estate administration, and trust administration alongside its planning work, with charitable, tax, and family business planning. All four attorneys are board certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
100 Crescent Court, Suite 440Dallas, TX 75201

FirmDallas, TX

Ford+Bergner LLP

Serves 4 counties

Boutique estate-law firm whose Dallas office sits downtown on Main Street, with Houston and Austin offices and fourteen attorneys. Handles probate administration, fiduciary services, contested guardianships, and estate, trust, and guardianship litigation, and says it has worked in 112 of Texas' 254 counties. Free consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 3 more

Office
901 Main Street, 33rd FloorDallas, TX 75202
Free consultation

FirmLewisville, TX

Hernandez | Stokes Law, PLLC

Serves 4 counties

Lewisville estate planning and probate firm in historic Old Town serving the Dallas, Denton, and Fort Worth Metroplex. Partners Donna Roberts Hernandez and Kellie Fister Stokes guide clients through probate matters and draft wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, and also handle small business formation and real estate transactions. Free initial consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateAsset ProtectionBusiness Formationand 5 more

Office
132 West Main StreetLewisville, TX 75057
Free consultation

FirmDallas, TX

Holman Law LLP

Serves 4 counties

Dallas estate planning and probate firm in the Merit Tower serving the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area. Attorney Steven C. Holman handles probate and estate administration, letters testamentary, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, and long-term care and incapacity planning. Meetings available at the office, by phone, or by video conference.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawPower Of AttorneyRevocable Trusts

Office
12222 Merit Drive, Suite 1200Dallas, TX 75251
Free consultationVirtual consultations
See all 20 firms serving Collin 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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