Estate Planning for Mason County, Washington Property Owners

For most Mason 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.

Record a TOD deedWhere to recordLocal attorneys

For a Mason 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 Mason 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, Mason 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 Mason County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Mason 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.

Create a WashingtonTOD deed →Mason Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Mason County are recorded with the County Auditor at 411 N 5th St, Shelton, WA 98584. Phone: 360-427-9670 ext. 467. Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to PO Box 400, Shelton, WA 98584.

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

Mason County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Auditor

Mason County

Address

411 N 5th StShelton, WA 98584Mailing: PO Box 400, Shelton, WA 98584

Hours

Monday - Friday, 9:00 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

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Verified September 9, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Mason County

FirmOlympia, WA

Budd Bay Law, P.S.

Since 1978 · Serves 5 counties

Serves Olympia and the South Puget Sound, covering Thurston, Mason, Pierce, Lewis, and Grays Harbor counties. Handles probate administration for estates of all sizes plus probate litigation — will contests on capacity, fraud, duress, or undue influence, competing wills, fiduciary-duty claims against a personal representative, and TEDRA petitions.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 more

Office
324 W Bay Dr NW, Suite 201Olympia, WA 98502

Solo PracticeAberdeen, WA

Hagen & Bates, P.S.

Since 1993 · Serves 3 counties

Serves Grays Harbor, Mason, and Thurston counties from Aberdeen, with a second office in Olympia. Handles wills, living wills and living trusts, guardianship appointments for minor children, executor selection, and estate tax questions, alongside the firm's personal injury and DUI work. Offers a free initial consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness LawPersonal InjuryReal Estate

Office
316 E 1st StAberdeen, WA 98520
Free consultation

Solo PracticeOlympia, WA

Jacobsen Law Office, P.S.

Serves 6 counties

Olympia solo practice representing personal representatives and family members in probate across Thurston, Mason, Pierce, Lewis, Grays Harbor, and Pacific counties. Ryan A. Jacobsen handles probate with or without a will, disputes over estate property, and contested wills. The practice also prepares wills and trusts and handles guardianships and special needs planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more

Office
2018 Caton Way SW, Suite 106Olympia, WA 98502

FirmSilverdale, WA

Kitsap Law Group

Serves 3 counties

General practice firm in Silverdale serving Kitsap, Jefferson, and Mason counties, including Bremerton and Poulsbo. Guides families through probate administration and drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care plans. The firm's other main practices are personal injury, municipal law, real estate, business, and litigation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationBusiness Lawand 2 more

Office
3212 NW Byron St, Suite 101Silverdale, WA 98383

FirmTacoma, WA

Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess

Serves 3 counties

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
909 A Street, Suite 900Tacoma, WA 98402

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
See all 20 firms serving Mason 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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