Estate Planning for Dallas, Texas Property Owners

For most Dallas 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 Dallas County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Statutory Probate Courts (3). The two tools that keep a Dallas 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 Courts (3) decides who receives the property: a simple Texas probate takes 4+ months and opens with $360 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 Dallas County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Dallas 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.

Create a TexasTOD deed →Dallas Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Dallas County are recorded with the County Clerk in Dallas, TX 75202.

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 Dallas County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Dallas 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

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 8, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Dallas County

FirmFort Worth, TX

Bourland, Wall & Wenzel, P.C.

Since 1983 · Serves 2 counties

Serves Tarrant and Dallas counties from Commerce Street in Fort Worth. Its Probate, Trust and Estate Administration section handles administration of estates and trusts after a death, including postmortem tax planning, and its fiduciary litigators represent beneficiaries, trustees, executors, and guardians in will contests, heirship determinations, and breach of fiduciary duty cases.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 8 more

Office
301 Commerce Street, Suite 2500Fort Worth, TX 76102

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

Solo PracticeFort Worth, TX

Catherine H. Goodman, PLLC

Serves 4 counties

Fort Worth solo practice in the Fort Worth Club Building handling independent and dependent probate administration, contested and uncontested matters, and guardianship for Tarrant County families. Catherine Goodman is board certified in estate planning and probate law and takes will contests and trust and fiduciary litigation as well as drafting wills and directives.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrust LitigationGuardianship

Office
306 W. 7th Street, Suite 306Fort Worth, TX 76102

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
See all 24 firms serving Dallas 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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