Estate Planning for Yakima, Washington Property Owners

For most Yakima 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 Yakima 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 Yakima 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, Yakima 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 Yakima County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Yakima County are recorded with the County Auditor at 128 N 2nd St, Room 117, Yakima, WA 98901. Phone: 509-574-1400. Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to PO Box 12570, Yakima, WA 98909-2570.

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

Yakima County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile / CSC / eRecording Partners Network / Indecomm.

Recording Office Record

County Auditor

Yakima County

Address

128 N 2nd St, Room 117Yakima, WA 98901Mailing: PO Box 12570, Yakima, WA 98909-2570

Fax

509-574-1341

Hours

Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

E-recording

Available via Simplifile / CSC / eRecording Partners Network / 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 Yakima County

FirmYakima, WA

Pratt Boutillier Kirkevold & Farmer, PLLC

Serves 2 counties

Yakima firm on Fairbanks Avenue serving Yakima County and the Ellensburg area. Administers probates through notice to creditors, payment of debts, and distribution to heirs, and prepares wills, community property agreements, and revocable living trusts, including planning for estates subject to estate tax. Also handles elder law, Medicaid planning, and guardianships.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 6 more

Office
3901 Fairbanks AveYakima, WA 98902

FirmYakima, WA

Thorner Kennedy Gano & Murphy P.S.

Since 1977 · Serves 2 counties

Yakima firm founded in 1977, serving Central and Eastern Washington. Handles probate and estate administration and estate planning, alongside business law, business planning, and family law.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateBusiness Lawand 2 more

Office
605 N 39th AveYakima, WA 98902

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 Yakima 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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