For most Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the District Court. The two tools that keep a Salt Lake County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Recorder, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Skipping this planning step means the District Court decides who receives the property: a simple Utah probate takes 4+ months and opens with $375 in court filing fees.
A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Salt Lake County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Recorder during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.
Before recording, an Utah transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentUtah Code 75-6-401 to 75-6-419Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathUtah Code 75-6-401 to 75-6-419Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Deeds and other real property documents for Salt Lake County are recorded with the County Recorder at 2001 South State Street, Suite N1-600, Salt Lake City, UT 84190. Phone: 385-468-8145. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
The County Recorder charges $40 flat, regardless of page count. A 2-page transfer on death deed costs $40 to record in Salt Lake County.
Salt Lake County accepts electronic recording.
Recording Office Record
Salt Lake County
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $40 |
Utah Code 17-71-407(3)(a)(i) (formerly 17-21-18.5)
Verified September 9, 2026 · Source
FirmBountiful, UT
Bountiful firm combining estate planning with Social Security disability practice, providing families of disabled individuals a single firm for both disability benefits and special needs trust planning.
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Primary Layton/Davis County firm with estate litigation capability. Fills a geographic gap in the Davis County corridor between Ogden and Salt Lake City.
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FirmSalt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City estate planning firm serving Wasatch Front families from offices in Sugarhouse and Bountiful. Handles revocable and irrevocable trusts, wills, probate, powers of attorney, special needs trusts, Medicaid and elder-law planning, gun trusts, and asset protection. Offers initial calls by phone or Zoom with at-home document signing available.
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FirmSalt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City firm in the historic Judge Building handling probate, will and trust administration, and estate disputes including marital-property and estate division. Drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives for individuals and families. Two attorneys are admitted before the U.S. Supreme Court.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateHealthcare DirectivesPowers Of Attorneyand 2 more
FirmSalt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City estate planning practice serving individuals and families across Utah. Handles wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts (including special needs and charitable trusts), powers of attorney, advance health care directives, trust and estate administration, guardianships, and conservatorships. Attorney Penniann Schumann previously administered trusts as a national-bank trust officer.
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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.
Data sourced from Utah statutes and official state code. How we research.
Estate planning articles for Utah.
Forms and tools for property owners in Salt Lake County.
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Create a free, state-specific will with witness and notarization requirements included.
Transfer assets to your existing trust. State execution requirements included.
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate.
Designate someone to make medical decisions on your behalf.
Designate someone to manage your financial affairs.
Answer questions about your estate size, real estate ownership, marital status, and family situation to see how a revocable trust compares to a will alone. Includes estimated probate costs for your state.
Answer questions about your property type, ownership structure, and estate plan to see if a TOD deed is the right approach. Includes state-specific availability, signing requirements, and recording fees.
Compare trusts vs wills for your specific situation. See probate costs, trust administration expenses, and whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures based on your state and estate value.
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.
Estate planning articles for Utah.
