Estate Planning for Tarrant County, Texas Property Owners

For most Tarrant 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.

For a Tarrant 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 Tarrant 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, Tarrant County property passes through the Statutory Probate Courts (2) — even simple Texas probates run 4+ months and start with $392 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 Tarrant County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Tarrant 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.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Tarrant County are recorded with the County Clerk in Fort Worth, TX 76196.

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

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Tarrant 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

Verified September 8, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Tarrant County

FirmFort Worth, TX

Bourland, Wall & Wenzel, P.C.

Since 1983 · Serves 2 counties

Serves Tarrant and Dallas counties from Commerce Street in Fort Worth. Its Probate, Trust and Estate Administration section handles administration of estates and trusts after a death, including postmortem tax planning, and its fiduciary litigators represent beneficiaries, trustees, executors, and guardians in will contests, heirship determinations, and breach of fiduciary duty cases.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 8 more

Office
301 Commerce Street, Suite 2500Fort Worth, TX 76102

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

Solo PracticeWeatherford, TX

Gary F. Westenhover, Attorney at Law

Serves 8 counties

Weatherford solo practice on South Main Street with more than 40 years in the North Texas courts. Maintains an active probate litigation practice across Parker, Palo Pinto, Jack, Johnson, Tarrant, Wise, Hood, and Erath counties, and handles estate administration, guardianship, and wills and trusts. Gary F. Westenhover is board certified in estate planning and probate law.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateGuardianshipand 3 more

Office
101 South Main StreetWeatherford, TX 76086
See all 26 firms serving Tarrant 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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