Estate Planning for Thurston County, Washington Property Owners

For most Thurston 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 Thurston 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 Thurston 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 Thurston County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Thurston 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 →Thurston Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Thurston County are recorded with the County Auditor at 3000 Pacific Ave SE, Suite 130, Olympia, WA 98501. Phone: 360-786-5405. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (open at 9:00 AM first Wednesday of the month).

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 Thurston County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Thurston County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile / CSC / EPN / Indecomm.

Recording Office Record

County Auditor

Thurston County

Address

3000 Pacific Ave SE, Suite 130Olympia, WA 98501

Fax

360-786-5223

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (open at 9:00 AM first Wednesday of the month)

E-recording

Available via Simplifile / CSC / EPN / IndecommE-recording info →
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

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 9, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Thurston County

FirmCentralia, WA

Althauser Rayan Abbarno, LLP

Since 1946 · Serves 3 counties

Centralia firm handling probate and estate planning for clients across southwest Washington and the south Puget Sound region since 1946. Probate work covers estates with or without a will: preparing court documents, contacting creditors, publishing required notices, obtaining the estate's federal tax ID number, and making distributions. Planning work includes wills, trusts, and community property agreements.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateSpecial Needs Planning

Office
114 W Magnolia StCentralia, WA 98531

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

FirmOlympia, WA

Cap City Law PS

Since 2003 · Serves 1 county

Olympia firm, established in 2003, whose estate practice covers wills, living wills and health care directives, powers of attorney, trusts, and guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults. The firm also handles business, real estate and land use, and family law matters, and was voted Bronze for Best Estate Law in the 2024 Best of South Sound awards.

PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipAsset ProtectionBusiness Lawand 2 more

Office
2401 Bristol Court SW, Suite A-103Olympia, WA 98502

FirmOlympia, WA

Dille Law, PLLC

Serves 1 county

Olympia firm that assists personal representatives and trustees with their duties after a death, from addressing creditors and defending the validity of a will to valuing assets and distributing property. Also prepares wills, revocable living trusts, and special needs trusts, and handles elder law matters including Medicaid eligibility.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 6 more

Office
1800 Cooper Point Rd SW, Building 11Olympia, 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
See all 24 firms serving Thurston 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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