Estate Planning for Clallam County, Washington Property Owners

For most Clallam 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 Clallam 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 Clallam 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, Clallam 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 Clallam County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Clallam 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 Oct 19, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathRCW 64.80.010 to 64.80.904Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Clallam County are recorded with the County Auditor at 223 East 4th Street, Suite 1, Port Angeles, WA 98362. Phone: 1-360-417-2220. Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30 AM-4:30 PM.

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

Clallam County accepts electronic recording through ePN, CSC, Indecomm and Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Auditor

Clallam County

Hours

Monday-Friday 9:30 AM-4:30 PM

Office

223 East 4th Street, Suite 1, Port Angeles, WA 98362

Fees

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. Not required for a TOD deed
Transfer tax on a TOD deedTOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax

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 October 17, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Clallam County

Solo PracticeSequim, WA

Alan E. Millet, P.S.

Since 1981 · Serves 1 county

Sequim solo general civil practice in Clallam County, in operation since 1981, that handles probate, administration of decedents' estates and trusts, and collection of assets through small estate procedures. The practice also prepares wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, community property agreements, and health care directives, alongside estate tax planning, real estate, and business law.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planningand 2 more

Office
109-B E Bell StSequim, WA 98382

FirmPort Townsend, WA

Faber Feinson PLLC

Since 2014 · Serves 3 counties

Port Townsend firm with a satellite location in Port Angeles, serving Jefferson, Clallam, and Kitsap counties since 2014. Handles probate and non-probate administration and trust administration for families after a death, and prepares wills, trusts, medical directives, and powers of attorney. Also handles real property matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateReal Estate

Office
800 Polk St, Suite BPort Townsend, WA 98368

Solo PracticeSequim, WA

Judith H. Peace, Attorney at Law

Serves 1 county

Sequim solo practice focused on elder law and estate planning. Handles Washington probate for families after a death, and prepares wills, testamentary and revocable living trusts, community property agreements, special needs trusts, durable powers of attorney, and health care directives.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawSpecial Needs Planning

Office
720 E Washington St, Suite 109Sequim, WA 98382

Solo PracticePort Angeles, WA

Law Office of Mark D. Mullins

Serves 1 county

Port Angeles solo practice of an attorney in practice for over 30 years, focused on elder law and estate planning. Handles probate for estates with or without a will and guardianships for children and adults, and also works as a mediator. Prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawGuardianshipFamily Law

Office
206 S Lincoln St, Suite 205Port Angeles, WA 98362

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
See all 18 firms serving Clallam 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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Data sourced from Washington statutes and official state code. How we research.

Forms for Planning Your Estate in Washington

Free forms for planning your estate in Washington: will, living trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney and TOD deed. Prepare each form for Washington.

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Last Will and Testament

In Washington, a will is signed before 2RCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyRCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.

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Codicil to a Will

In Washington, a codicil is signed before 2RCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, like a will, and the self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyRCW 11.20.020(2)Verified Oct 25, 2026View source.

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Healthcare Power of Attorney

Washington allows a choice for a healthcare power of attorney: 2RCW 11.125.050; RCW 11.125.400; RCW 70.122.030; RCW 7.70.065Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses or a notary.

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HIPAA Release

In Washington, a HIPAA release names who may receive your records and, as the state requires, names HIV/AIDS-related information and mental health recordsRCW 70.02.220(1), (2)(a) (2013 c 200 § 6; last amended 2021 c 270 § 5); cross-references chapter 70.24 RCW; RCW 70.02.230(1) (2013 c 200 § 7; version in effect until June 30, 2027, last amended 2024 c 209 § 32)Verified Jun 10, 2026View source expressly before a provider releases them.

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Financial Power of Attorney

Washington requires explicit durability language for a power of attorney to survive incapacityRCW § 11.125.050Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, and it is signed before 2RCW § 11.125.050Verified Oct 21, 2026View source witnesses or a notary.

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Transfer on Death Deed

In Washington, a transfer on death deed is signed before a notaryRCW 64.80.010 to 64.80.904Verified Oct 19, 2026View source, then recorded with the county before the owner's deathRCW 64.80.010 to 64.80.904Verified Oct 19, 2026View source. Washington does not recognize a Lady Bird deed.

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Living Will

In Washington, the living will is the Health Care DirectiveRCW ch. 70.122 (Natural Death Act)Verified Sep 27, 2026View source, a document of its own, apart from the healthcare power of attorney.

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Pour-Over Will

In Washington, a pour-over will is signed before 2RCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.

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Tools for Planning Your Estate in Washington

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How Do I Sign Estate Documents?

In Washington, a will is signed before 2RCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and notarization is not requiredRCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.

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Will My Estate Documents Transfer?

Washington recognizes a will signed under the law of the place where it was signedRCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source; a will signed in Washington itself needs 2RCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and notarization is not requiredRCW 11.12.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.

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Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?

In Washington, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 2.2%Modeled estimate under RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source to 3.5%Modeled estimate under RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.

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How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?

An attorney-prepared revocable living trust in Washington runs $3,400Estimate: 10 hours at $340, Clio's Washington Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $5,100Estimate: 15 hours at $340, Clio's Washington Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source for an individual, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.

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How Much Does a Will Cost?

An attorney-prepared will in Washington runs $1,164Estimate: 3 hours at $388, Clio's Washington Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,328Estimate: 6 hours at $388, Clio's Washington Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $27,599RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.

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How Does SimplyTrust Compare to LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and Other Services?

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How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children?

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Do I Need a Revocable Trust?

Probate in Washington takes 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate and charges attorney fees of typically 2.2%Modeled estimate under RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source to 3.5%Modeled estimate under RCW 11.48.210 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.

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