Estate Planning for Fannin County, Texas Property Owners

For most Fannin 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 Fannin County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the County Court at Law. The two tools that keep a Fannin 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, Fannin County property passes through the County Court at Law — 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 Fannin County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Fannin County are recorded with the County Clerk in Bonham, TX 75418.

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

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Fannin 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 July 14, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Fannin County

Solo PracticeSherman, TX

Craig W. Watson, Attorney at Law

Serves 3 counties

Sherman practice serving Grayson County and the Texoma region, in the community since the 1990s. Craig Watson is a Certified Elder Law Attorney through the National Elder Law Foundation, with 30 years in estate planning, probate, and elder law and four earlier years as a CPA. Handles estate administration, will contests, guardianship, and nursing home Medicaid qualification.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 4 more

Office
805 North Travis Street, Suite 400Sherman, TX 75090

Solo PracticeSherman, TX

Law Office of M. Todd Estes, P.C.

Serves 3 counties

Sherman solo practice serving Grayson County and the Texoma region. Todd Estes handles probate of wills, estate administration, determinations of heirship, affidavits of heirship, and small estate affidavits, and drafts wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, and special needs trusts. Also forms limited liability entities for business owners.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipSpecial Needs Planningand 3 more

Office
600 E. Taylor Street, Suite 4007Sherman, TX 75090

Solo PracticeParis, TX

Law Offices of Sydney Young

Serves 5 counties

Paris, Texas solo practice serving Lamar County and Northeast Texas with more than 25 years of experience. Handles estate planning — wills, living wills, powers of attorney, elder care, and farm, ranch and business transfers — alongside real estate and corporate work. Sydney Young is board certified in residential, commercial, and farm and ranch real estate law.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawBusiness LawPower Of Attorneyand 2 more

Office
2765 NE Loop 286, Suite 1000Paris, TX 75460

FirmParis, TX

McLaughlin, Hutchison & Biard, LLP

Serves 4 counties

Paris law firm offering estate planning and probate, real estate, corporate and business representation, and appellate work for clients across Lamar County and Northeast Texas. Brad Hutchison and Don Biard practice from 38 First Northwest in Paris.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateAppealsBusiness LawReal Estate

Office
38 First NorthwestParis, TX 75460

FirmParis, TX

The Moore Law Firm, L.L.P.

Since 1893 · Serves 5 counties

Paris firm practicing in Lamar County since 1893, working a five-county area that also takes in Delta, Red River, Fannin, and Hopkins counties. Assists executors and personal representatives through probate, including estate inventory, debt payment, tax filings, and asset distribution, and drafts wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateGuardianshipand 5 more

Office
100 North Main StreetParis, TX 75460

Solo PracticeRockwall, TX

The Cramer Law Group

Since 1994 · Serves the whole state

Rockwall solo practice serving Rockwall, Dallas, Kaufman, and Collin counties, and Texas statewide since 1994. Michael Cramer drafts wills, revocable living trusts, and special needs trusts, handles trust administration, and litigates will and trust contests. Services are offered in English and Spanish, and the initial case evaluation is complimentary.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTrust Litigationand 3 more

Office
2255 Ridge Road, Suite 208Rockwall, TX 75087
Free consultation
See all 9 firms serving Fannin 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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