Estate Planning for Denton, Texas Property Owners

For most Denton 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 Denton County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Statutory Probate Courts (2). The two tools that keep a Denton 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, Denton County property passes through the Statutory Probate Courts (2) — even simple Texas probates run 4+ months and start with $360 in 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 Denton County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Denton 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 →Denton Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Denton County are recorded with the County Clerk in Denton, TX 76209.

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

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Denton 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 Denton 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

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

FirmSouthlake, TX

Guthrie Law Firm, PLLC

Serves 3 counties

Southlake and Dallas firm serving the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, with attorneys carrying a combined 84 years of experience. Represents executors and administrators through probating wills, locating assets, legal notices, estate inventories, and estate and gift tax returns. Shannon Guthrie is board certified in estate planning and probate law.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateTax Planningand 4 more

Office
450 N. Kimball Ave, Suite 140Southlake, TX 76092
See all 24 firms serving Denton 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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