Estate Planning for Waller County, Texas Property Owners

For most Waller 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 Waller County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the County Court at Law (Probate). The two tools that keep a Waller 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 Court at Law (Probate) 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 Waller County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Waller County are recorded with the County Clerk in Hempstead, TX 77445.

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

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Waller 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 Waller County

FirmHouston, TX

Porter Hedges LLP

Since 1981 · Serves 8 counties

Houston firm founded in 1981 whose Trust, Probate, and Estate Planning group serves business owners, executives, and their families in Harris County and the surrounding metro. Handles estate and trust administration, probate disputes, creditors' claims, and the fiduciary duties of executors and trustees, and drafts wills, family and charitable trusts, and business succession agreements.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
1000 Main Street, 36th FloorHouston, TX 77002

FirmKaty, TX

Theander & Grimes, PLLC

Serves 3 counties

Serves Fort Bend and Harris counties from Katy, with a second office in Tomball. Attorneys Christy Theander and Amanda Grimes handle dependent and independent probate administrations and heirship proceedings, guardianships, and Medicaid and long-term care planning, alongside wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationElder Lawand 5 more

Office
1325 Main Street, Suite 1101Katy, TX 77494

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

FirmCedar Park, TX

Robbins Estate Law

Serves 5 counties

Estate planning and probate firm based in Cedar Park with six more offices across Austin, Round Rock, Bellaire, and Arlington. Handles probate administration and avoidance, muniment of title, small estate affidavits, trust administration, guardianship, will contests, and breach of fiduciary duty claims. Eight attorneys split between planning and probate teams.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 7 more

Office
13625 Ronald Reagan Blvd, Bldg 5, Ste 200Cedar Park, TX 78613
Free consultation

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

FirmBeaumont, TX

Germer PLLC

Serves the whole state

Beaumont-headquartered Texas firm whose estate group serves Jefferson, Orange, and Hardin counties from its home office. Principals Christopher D. Leavins and Gary W. Coker advise executors, trustees, and beneficiaries on settling estates and managing trusts, handle guardianships, and litigate will contests and trust disputes. Offices in five Texas cities.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 more

Office
550 Fannin, Suite 400Beaumont, TX 77701
See all 8 firms serving Waller 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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