For most Tooele 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 Tooele 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 Tooele 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.
Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Tooele County property passes through the District Court — even simple Utah probates run 4+ months and start with $375 in filing fees.
A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Tooele 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 Tooele County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder/Surveyor Jerry Houghton, at 47 South Main Street, Tooele, UT 84074. Phone: 435-843-3180. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
The County Recorder charges $45 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Tooele County comes to $45.
Tooele County accepts electronic recording through Tyler Technologies (Portico eRecording).
Recording Office Record
Tooele County · County Recorder/Surveyor · Jerry Houghton
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $45 |
Utah Code 17-71-407 (formerly 17-21-18.5)
Verified September 9, 2026 · Source
FirmTooele, UT
Tooele-based estate planning firm founded in 2012 to provide accessible legal services to individuals, families, and businesses in Tooele County. Drafts revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateHealthcare DirectivesPowers Of Attorneyand 2 more
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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FirmOgden, UT
Northern Utah law firm serving Ogden and Layton since 1959 with decades of estate planning knowledge. Takes time to understand client goals and create personalized estate plans.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawHealthcare Directivesand 3 more
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
FirmSouth Ogden, UT
South Ogden firm serving Weber County and the Wasatch Front in probate and estate administration, including complicated probate matters and the estate planning that helps families avoid it. Founded in 1982 by Jack Helgesen; Jack Helgesen and Michael Houtz have more than 50 years combined experience in Utah probate. Offices in South Ogden and Layton.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawRevocable TrustsTrusts
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 8 more
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 Tooele 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.
