Estate Planning for Starr County, Texas Property Owners

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

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Starr County are recorded with the County Clerk in Rio Grande City, TX 78582.

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

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Starr 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 Starr County

FirmHarlingen, TX

Ezell & Ezell, PLLC

Serves 4 counties

Father-daughter practice on East Van Buren Avenue in Harlingen, serving Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, and Starr counties. Michael R. Ezell and Julie Ezell-Perez handle probate and estate and trust administration alongside wills, trusts, elder law, guardianship, and special needs planning. Over 50 years of combined experience; hablamos espanol.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 8 more

Office
312 East Van Buren AvenueHarlingen, TX 78550

Solo PracticeMcAllen, TX

The Almaguer Law Firm

Serves 6 counties

Rio Grande Valley firm in McAllen serving Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr, and Willacy counties, with a second office in Dallas. Sharon Almaguer has practiced for more than 35 years and handles probate of wills, guardianship proceedings, elder law, and special needs planning. Virtual and in-person consultations are available by appointment in Edinburg, Brownsville, Port Isabel, and Harlingen.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawGuardianshipand 3 more

Office
801 E. Fern Ave, Suite 139McAllen, TX 78501
Virtual consultations

Solo PracticeEdinburg, TX

The Law Office of Aurelio Garza PLLC

Serves 4 counties

Serves the Rio Grande Valley from South Business Highway 281 in Edinburg, covering Hidalgo County and neighboring Cameron, Starr, and Willacy counties. Aurelio Garza takes families through settling an estate — distributing assets and carrying out the decedent's intentions — and drafts wills and trusts. Complimentary planning session.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 5 more

Office
3009 S. Bus. Hwy. 281Edinburg, TX 78539
Free consultation

FirmMcAllen, TX

Villeda Law Group

Serves 4 counties

McAllen firm serving Hidalgo County and the Rio Grande Valley, led by attorney-CPA Antonio Villeda with more than 40 years of practice. Guides families through probate after a death and handles business and probate litigation, wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and asset protection. Fluent in Spanish.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTax Planningand 5 more

Office
6316 North 10th Street, Building BMcAllen, TX 78504
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 Starr 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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