Estate Planning for Lee County, Texas Property Owners

For most Lee 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 Lee County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the County Clerk (Probate Division). The two tools that keep a Lee 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, Lee County property passes through the County Clerk (Probate Division) — 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 Lee County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Lee County are recorded with the County Clerk in Giddings, TX 78942.

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

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Lee 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 Lee County

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

FirmSan Antonio, TX

Hailey-Petty Law Firm, PLLC

Serves 7 counties

San Antonio and Austin firm handling independent and dependent administration, muniment of title, small estate affidavits, letters testamentary, and trust administration for families across Bexar, Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties. Also handles guardianship and Medicaid crisis planning. Free 45-minute estate planning and probate consultations.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
17721 Rogers Ranch Parkway, Suite 130San Antonio, TX 78258
Free consultation

Solo PracticeSan Antonio, TX

Law Offices of Ryan Reiffert, PLLC

Serves 2 counties

San Antonio attorney handling estate matters for business owners and families in Bexar County, with a San Marcos office by appointment. Covers probate and its alternatives — affidavits of heirship, small estate affidavits, and muniment of title — plus trust administration, wills, trusts, asset protection, and business succession planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planningand 6 more

Office
8118 Datapoint DrSan Antonio, TX 78229

FirmWaco, TX

Rainey & Rainey Attorneys At Law PLLC

Serves 8 counties

Waco elder law and estate planning firm serving McLennan County and the surrounding Central Texas counties, with a second office in Georgetown. Handles Medicaid planning, guardianship, probate, heirship proceedings, Miller trusts, and special needs trusts, plus wills and powers of attorney. Elisa Dillard Rainey is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA).

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawGuardianshipand 5 more

Office
3809 W. Waco DriveWaco, TX 76710

FirmAmarillo, TX

Sprouse Shrader Smith PLLC

Serves 8 counties

Amarillo-headquartered firm of more than 40 attorneys, with offices in Austin, Dalhart, and Victoria. The estate planning and probate group represents executors, trustees, beneficiaries, and heirs, and carries more than a century of combined experience, two Fellows of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and three attorneys board certified in estate planning and probate law.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
701 S Taylor St, Suite 500Amarillo, TX 79101

FirmFort Worth, TX

The Blum Firm, P.C.

Since 1980 · Serves 5 counties

Fort Worth estate and tax specialty firm of more than 30 attorneys, with offices in Dallas and Austin, founded by Marvin Blum in 1980. Represents executors and trustees in probate court matters, trust funding, asset disclaimers, contested probate, and estate tax return preparation, and litigates fiduciary disputes on both sides.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more

Office
777 Main Street, Suite 550Fort Worth, TX 76102
See all 11 firms serving Lee 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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