Texas Estate Planning: Transfer on Death Deed vs. a Will
- STACKED LEGAL
- Apr 7
- 1 min read
Target Keywords: TODD vs Will Texas, Texas property transfer after death, do I need a TODD in Texas, Texas DIY property deed.
A Will vs. a Transfer on Death Deed in Texas: Which Do You Need?
When planning for the future, Texas homeowners often ask: "If I already have a Will, do I really need a Transfer on Death Deed (TODD) for my house?"
The short answer? If you want to save your family thousands of dollars, yes.
Here is the difference: A Simple Will dictates who gets your assets, but a Will is essentially just a set of instructions for a judge. Your executor still has to hire a lawyer, file the Will in probate court, and wait for a judge's order before the house can legally change hands.
A Texas Transfer on Death Deed bypasses the judge completely.
If you file a valid TODD while you are alive, the deed sits dormant. The moment you pass, the house legally transfers to your chosen beneficiary outside of the probate process. They simply file a death certificate with the county, and the house is theirs.
Using a TODD for your real estate and a Simple Will for the rest of your assets (like bank accounts and personal items) is the ultimate Texas estate planning strategy.
Want to execute this strategy yourself without paying a law firm $3,000 to do it for you? Stacked Legal provides step-by-step video education and automated legal document generators so you can create your own valid Texas TODD from your living room.