Longview practice on Hudson Street, in business since 2016, handling probate for families in Cowlitz County. Probate work covers validating the will, inventorying assets, paying taxes and outstanding debts, and distributing the remaining assets, along with mediating asset disputes between beneficiaries. The office also handles adult guardianships, elder law, Medicaid planning, and special needs trusts.
Estate Planning for Cowlitz County, Washington Property Owners
For most Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz 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, Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz County
A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz County are recorded with the County Auditor at 207 North 4th Avenue, Room 206, Kelso, WA 98626. Phone: 1-360-577-3002. Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:00 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 Cowlitz County comes to $305. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.
Cowlitz County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, ePN and CSC.
Recording Office Record
County Auditor
Cowlitz County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Thursday 7:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
207 North 4th Avenue, Room 206, Kelso, WA 98626
Website
E-recording
Fax
1-360-414-5552
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 deed | TOD 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 Cowlitz County
Vancouver firm founded in 2014 by Thomas Hackett, serving Clark County and Southwest Washington, with a second office in Portland. Handles probate from opening the estate and validating the will through administration and distribution, and assists trustees with trust administration. Also prepares estate plans, including elder law, asset protection, and estate tax planning.
Centralia firm established in 1965, serving the I-5 corridor through Thurston, Lewis, and Cowlitz counties. Handles probate and estate administration with or without a will, preparing all probate documents and handling all court appearances. Planning work includes wills, trusts, and community property agreements.
Serves Pierce, King, and Thurston counties from offices in Tacoma, Seattle, and Olympia. Represents personal representatives in formal and summary probate and in estate and trust administration, and represents beneficiaries in will contests, undue influence claims, and trust litigation, including challenges to the actions of an executor or trustee. Also handles guardianships.
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.
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.
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.
Legal Sources
(2)·
- RCW 64.80.010 to 64.80.904
- RCW 36.18.010; RCW 36.22.170; RCW 36.22.175; RCW 36.22.240; RCW 36.22.250; RCW 36.22.185
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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Free
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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Free
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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Free
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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Free
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
Free tools for planning your estate in Washington: will and trust costs, trust or TOD deed, and the signing rules. Run each tool for Washington.
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?
Compare what it costs to make a trust official across SimplyTrust, LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker.
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How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children?
In Washington, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writingRCW 11.130.215(2)(a); RCW 11.12.020 (will formalities)Verified Sep 16, 2026View source, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18RCW 26.28.010Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
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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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Washington Estate Planning Articles
Estate planning articles for Washington.
