Estate Planning for Nueces County, Texas Property Owners

For most Nueces 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 Nueces County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the County Courts at Law (Nos. 1-5). The two tools that keep a Nueces 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 County Courts at Law (Nos. 1-5) 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 Nueces County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Nueces County are recorded with the County Clerk in Corpus Christi, TX 78401.

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

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Nueces 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

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Verified July 14, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Nueces County

FirmCorpus Christi, TX

Davis, Hutchinson & Wilkerson, L.L.P.

Since 1994 · Serves 4 counties

Corpus Christi firm on N. Carancahua, formed in 1994, serving Nueces County and the surrounding Coastal Bend. Its attorneys guide executors and trustees through every phase of administering and distributing estates and trusts, handle guardianships, and represent estates before the IRS on estate and gift tax matters. Four of its attorneys are TBLS board certified in estate planning and probate law.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
802 N. Carancahua, Suite 1500Corpus Christi, TX 78401

Solo PracticeCorpus Christi, TX

Law Office of Mark B. Gilbreath, PLLC

Serves 4 counties

Serves the Coastal Bend from Holly Road in Corpus Christi. Handles probate proceedings and heirship affidavits alongside wills, directives to physicians, and durable and medical powers of attorney, with real estate and business work. The practice traces to Nicolas & Nicolas, formed in Corpus Christi in 1954, and carries an AV peer-review rating.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateBusiness Lawand 3 more

Office
5306 Holly Road, Suite ACorpus Christi, TX 78411

Solo PracticeCorpus Christi, TX

Russell Manning Law PLLC

Serves 8 counties

Corpus Christi probate and estate planning attorney with over 30 years of experience, serving Nueces, Bee, Kleberg, Live Oak, Jim Wells, Aransas, and Victoria counties. Handles independent and dependent administration, estate litigation, will contests, fiduciary and trust disputes, elder financial abuse claims, and probate mediation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 3 more

Office
711 N. Carancahua St, Suite 1810Corpus Christi, TX 78401

FirmCorpus Christi, TX

The Bunting Law Firm

Serves 5 counties

Corpus Christi specialty firm serving Nueces and the surrounding Coastal Bend counties, doing only estate, trust, and probate work. Bradley and Anne Dobbs Bunting are both board certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and represent executors and trustees in estate administration and in estate and trust litigation. Initial consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 3 more

Office
500 N. Shoreline Blvd, Suite 307Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Free consultation

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

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 Nueces 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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