Estate Planning for San Juan County, Washington Property Owners

For most San Juan 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 San Juan 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 San Juan 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, San Juan 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 San Juan County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives San Juan 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 San Juan County are recorded with the County Auditor at 350 Court St, 1st Floor, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. Phone: 360-378-2161. Hours: Monday - Thursday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed Friday).

Documents submitted by mail go to PO Box 638, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

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

San Juan County does not offer e-recording.

Recording Office Record

County Auditor

San Juan County

Address

350 Court St, 1st FloorFriday Harbor, WA 98250Mailing: PO Box 638, Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Fax

360-378-6256

Hours

Monday - Thursday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed Friday)

E-recording

Not available
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 San Juan County

Solo PracticeFriday Harbor, WA

Sandstrom Law, PLLC

Since 2009 · Serves 1 county

Friday Harbor solo practice serving San Juan County since 2009. Probate and other estate settlement procedures are a major part of the practice, along with trust administration and Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA) litigation and settlements. Also prepares wills, trusts, and powers of attorney and handles real estate, land use, and business matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more

Office
278 A St, Unit 1Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Solo PracticeFriday Harbor, WA

Wagner Law Offices P.C.

Since 1990 · Serves 1 county

Friday Harbor practice on San Juan Island serving San Juan County, including Orcas, Lopez, Shaw, and Waldron islands, and clients elsewhere with ties to the county. It probates estates and works on trust disputes, and prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives, alongside real estate, land use, and business law.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTrust LitigationBusiness LawReal Estate

Office
385 Court St, Suite 4Friday Harbor, WA 98250

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

FirmSpokane, WA

Elevated Estate Planning, P.S.

Serves the whole state

Spokane firm, formerly Moulton Law Offices, with offices in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Kennewick, and Yakima and virtual meetings for clients across Washington. Guides personal representatives, executors, heirs, and trustees through probate and trust administration, and also handles guardianships, Medicaid planning, and revocable living trusts.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 5 more

Office
9507 N Division St, Suite BSpokane, WA 99218
Virtual consultations
See all 16 firms serving San Juan 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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