Start your transfer-on-death
deed today
Name a beneficiary, skip probate
$295 flat fee
every transfer
100% remote
no courthouse trips
Attorney-prepared deeds in 2 business days Powered by ClearPathTitle
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What it does
Names who inherits — you keep full control
A Transfer-on-Death deed — sometimes called a "TOD deed" or "beneficiary deed" — names a person who will automatically own your Georgia property the moment you die. You give up nothing during your lifetime: you can sell, refinance, rent, or revoke the TOD deed any time, without your beneficiary's permission.
The transfer only happens at death, and only if the TOD deed is still on record. Your beneficiary doesn't go through probate — they file a death certificate and the appropriate affidavit with the county, and title is theirs.
Georgia recognized TOD deeds through O.C.G.A. Title 44, Chapter 17 (enacted by SB 420), effective July 1, 2024. Before that, passing real estate outside probate meant a living trust (expensive, complex) or giving up ownership during life. TOD deeds are cleaner.
Why homeowners use it
- Avoid probate entirely for this property
- Far cheaper than setting up a living trust
- Fully revocable — change your mind anytime
- Beneficiary has no rights while you're alive
The honest note: a TOD deed only covers the property named in it. Cars, accounts, and everything else still pass under your will — think of it as one tool in the estate plan, not the whole plan.
Sample transfer-on-death deed
$295 flat — title search, TOD deed, FedEx label & recording included. Start My TOD Deed
Who it's for
Is a TOD deed right for you?
A great fit
- A home or other single piece of Georgia real estate
- Clear beneficiary — adult child, spouse, sibling, trusted friend
- You want full ownership and control while alive
- You want to avoid probate for this property
- No pending litigation or ownership disputes
Not a fit — we'll tell you
- Property outside Georgia (TOD laws vary by state)
- The beneficiary is a minor (needs a trust or guardianship)
- Inheritance with conditions attached (use a will or trust)
- Multiple properties needing a unified estate plan
Weighing a TOD deed against a trust? We'll tell you straight in five minutes. Book a free call
A great fit? Most people name their beneficiary in 10 minutes. Start My TOD Deed
How it works
Four steps. You never leave home.
01
Answer a few questions
Enter the property address and tell us who to name as beneficiary — you can name more than one, plus alternates. Takes most people less than 10 minutes.
02
Get your deed by email
We review your title and an attorney prepares a TOD deed that meets Georgia's statutory requirements. Ready in 2 business days.
03
Sign & send it back
Sign before any notary near you (plus one witness), then return the deed with the prepaid FedEx label in your packet.
04
We record it
We file it with your county and send you the recorded deed. Nothing changes about your ownership — the deed simply waits on record.
Ready to start? Most people finish in under 10 minutes. Start My TOD Deed
Reviews
What Georgia homeowners say
5.0 ★★★★★
View on Google
★★★★★ Jul 2026
★★★★★ Jul 2026
Pricing
One flat fee.
No hourly billing.
The same transfer at a law firm is typically billed by the hour. Here it's one price, quoted up front, for every deed type and every county.
ClearPath Guarantee — full refund any time before recording.
$295
flat · every transfer
- Title search
- Attorney-prepared deed
- Prepaid FedEx return label
- County recording
- Lifetime customer support
Ready in 2 business days · 100% remote
FAQ
TOD deed questions
When did Georgia start recognizing TOD deeds?
Georgia's transfer-on-death deed law (O.C.G.A. Title 44, Chapter 17, enacted by SB 420) took effect July 1, 2024. Before that date, TOD deeds were not valid in Georgia and couldn't be recorded. Any TOD deed signed and recorded on or after July 1, 2024 is enforceable under Georgia law.
Does a TOD deed affect my property taxes or homestead exemption?
Generally, no. Because ownership doesn't transfer until death, recording a TOD deed typically doesn't change your homestead exemption or property tax assessment, and because the transfer is revocable and incomplete, it generally isn't treated as a taxable gift during your lifetime.
Can I name more than one beneficiary?
Yes. You can name multiple beneficiaries — as co-owners, in specific shares, or with contingent beneficiaries (who inherit if the primary beneficiary predeceases you). We'll walk you through the options on the intake form.
Can I revoke or change the TOD deed later?
Yes, anytime, as long as you're the sole owner and mentally competent. Revocation is done by recording either a formal revocation document or a new TOD deed that supersedes the old one. We handle revocations and replacements at a reduced rate for existing customers.
Does the beneficiary have any rights while I'm alive?
No. Until you die, the beneficiary has no ownership interest, no right to sell, no right to enter the property, and no right to any rent or income. They also can't be reached by their own creditors through the TOD deed — which is a major advantage over joint tenancy.
What happens if my beneficiary dies before I do?
If you named only one beneficiary and they predecease you, the TOD deed lapses and the property passes under your will or by Georgia intestacy law. You can prevent this by naming a contingent beneficiary on the original deed — ask us about it when you order.
Is a TOD deed better than putting the property in my beneficiary's name now?
Yes, for most people. Adding someone to your deed during your lifetime creates a gift, potentially triggers gift tax reporting, exposes the property to their creditors, and requires their signature to sell or refinance. A TOD deed avoids all of that — you keep full control, and transfer only happens at death.
Do I still need a will if I have a TOD deed?
Yes. A TOD deed only covers the property named in the deed. Everything else — cars, bank accounts, personal property, other real estate — still needs a will (or other estate planning). Think of a TOD deed as one tool in your estate plan, not the whole plan.
How does the beneficiary claim the property after my death?
They typically record a death certificate and the appropriate affidavit (often an "affidavit of survivorship") with the county clerk, outside any probate proceeding. In most Georgia counties, the whole process takes about 2–3 weeks.
Can a TOD deed be contested?
Yes, but it's harder than contesting a will. Like any deed, it can be challenged for fraud, undue influence, or lack of mental capacity at the time of signing. Proper execution (notary + witness) and a clear record go a long way toward heading off challenges — both of which we handle.
Ready to set up your Georgia TOD deed?
$295 flat · prepared in 2 business days · recorded with your county
ClearPath Guarantee — full refund anytime before recording