Estate Planning for Adams County, Washington Property Owners

For most Adams 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 Adams County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Superior Court. The two tools that keep a Adams County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Auditor, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Adams County property passes through the Superior Court — even simple Washington probates run 4+ months and start with $290 in filing fees.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Adams County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Adams County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Auditor during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, a Washington transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentRCW 64.80.010 to 64.80.904Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathRCW 64.80.010 to 64.80.904Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Adams County are recorded with the County Auditor at 210 W Broadway Ave, Suite 200, Ritzville, WA 99169. Phone: 509-659-3247. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (closed 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM for lunch).

The County Auditor charges $304 for the first page plus $1 for each additional page. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Adams County comes to $305. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Adams County accepts electronic recording through CSC / Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Auditor

Adams County

Address

210 W Broadway Ave, Suite 200Ritzville, WA 99169

Fax

509-659-3254

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (closed 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM for lunch)

E-recording

Available via CSC / Simplifile
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$303.5
Each additional page$1
Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit$5 state technology fee on every transfer, plus $5 more when no tax is due because an exemption is claimed; $10 minimum in fee(s) and/or tax (RCW 82.45.180). Paid to the county treasurer, not the auditor.
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

RCW 36.18.010; RCW 36.22.170; RCW 36.22.175; RCW 36.22.240; RCW 36.22.250; RCW 36.22.185

Verified September 9, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Adams County

FirmRitzville, WA

McGuire, DeWulf, Kragt & Johnson

Since 1936 · Serves 3 counties

Serves Adams, Lincoln, and Whitman counties from Ritzville, with additional offices in Davenport, Colfax, Odessa, St. John, and Rosalia. Handles probate and estate administration, trust administration, wills, powers of attorney, and elder law including Medicaid planning and applications, alongside a long-standing agricultural and water law practice in Eastern Washington.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
108 N Adams StRitzville, WA 99169

Solo PracticeMoses Lake, WA

Cacchiotti Law, PLLC

Serves 2 counties

Serves Grant and Adams counties from Moses Lake, including Ephrata, Quincy, Royal City, Warden, and Othello. Handles probate and estate administration, including paying a decedent's debts and distributing assets to beneficiaries, plus wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and community property agreements. The practice also covers residential, commercial, and agricultural real estate and business formation.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateBusiness LawReal Estate

Office
404 S Division StMoses Lake, WA 98837

FirmSeattle, WA

Gravis Law, PLLC

Serves 6 counties

Multi-state firm with Washington offices in Seattle, University Place, Olympia, Spokane, Richland, Kennewick, and Dayton. Guides personal representatives through probate and estate administration, from gathering assets and paying debts to transferring ownership, and handles elder law matters including Medicaid planning and guardianship. Consultations are available by phone or video.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 5 more

Office
10202 5th Ave NE, 2nd FloorSeattle, WA 98125
Virtual consultations

FirmWalla Walla, WA

Basalt Legal PLLC

Since 1954 · Serves the whole state

Walla Walla firm, formerly Burkhart and Burkhart, representing families, farms, and businesses. Handles probate and trust administration, including supporting successor trustees who distribute a deceased person's assets, and litigates estate and trust disputes, including will contests. Accepts clients throughout Washington State.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more

Office
6 1/2 N 2nd Ave, Suite 200Walla Walla, WA 99362

FirmWenatchee, WA

Bromiley Mackay Williams PLLC

Serves the whole state

Wenatchee firm, doing business as Northwest Estate Plans, that handles Washington probate and trust administration for families after a death, starting with a free Executor Guidance Meeting to review the options. Also prepares wills and revocable living trusts. Meetings, signings, and notarization can be completed over Zoom for clients anywhere in Washington, or in person at the Wenatchee office.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
303 S Mission St, Suite 300Wenatchee, WA 98801
Free consultationVirtual consultations

Solo PracticeRedmond, WA

Eastside Estate Planning, PLLC

Since 2022 · Serves the whole state

Serves King and Snohomish counties from Redmond, covering Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Sammamish, and Woodinville, and works with clients remotely across Washington. Handles wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, probate, and tax planning for estates; planning is sold as flat-fee packages and probates are billed hourly. Intake starts with a free telephone consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningAsset Protection

Office
8201 164th Ave NE, Suite 200Redmond, WA 98052
Free consultationVirtual consultations
See all 17 firms serving Adams 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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