Estate Planning for Island County, Washington Property Owners

For most Island 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 Island 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 Island 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.

Skipping this planning step means the Superior Court decides who receives the property: a simple Washington probate takes 4+ months and opens with $290 in court filing fees.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Island County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Island 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 Island County are recorded with the County Auditor, led by County Auditor Sheilah Crider, at 1 NE 7th St, Room 105, Coupeville, WA 98239. Phone: 360-679-7368. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (recordings processed 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM).

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

Island County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Auditor

Island County · County Auditor · Sheilah Crider

Address

1 NE 7th St, Room 105Coupeville, WA 98239

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (recordings processed 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)

E-recording

Available via 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 Island County

FirmClinton, WA

Kelly, Arndt & Walker Attorneys at Law, PLLP

Serves 1 county

Serves Island County from offices in Clinton and Coupeville on Whidbey Island. Handles probate, trust administration, community property agreement recordings, lack-of-probate affidavits, small estate affidavits, and nonprobate notices to creditors, and takes on adult guardianships and cases of financial exploitation of elders.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more

Office
6443 S Harding AveClinton, WA 98236

FirmMarysville, WA

Brian Duce Attorney at Law

Serves 4 counties

Marysville firm serving Snohomish, Skagit, Island, and Whatcom counties, where Brian Duce has handled probate and estate planning for over 30 years. The office takes probate cases through the court paperwork for families after a death, and prepares wills, powers of attorney, and living trusts; it also practices family law and criminal defense. Intake starts with a free phone consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateFamily Law

Office
1701 Grove StMarysville, WA 98270
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmEverett, WA

Newton Kight LLP

Serves 4 counties

Everett firm with more than 100 years in Snohomish County, serving clients in Snohomish, King, Island, and Skagit counties. Represents personal representatives in probate, assists trustees with administering living trusts, and handles will contests, breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims, and TEDRA petitions. The firm also handles guardianship, conservatorship, and elder law.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 7 more

Office
1820 32nd StEverett, WA 98201

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 Island 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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