Because Property Is Personal.

Real Estate Transfers In Katy, Texas

Trusted Legal Guidance for Smooth & Secure Property Transfers

At Ortego Law Firm, we understand that real estate is more than just land or property — it's legacy, security, and peace of mind. Whether you’re transferring property to a loved one, handling a deed after a death, or planning for the future, we’re here to help you get it right.

From Transfer on Death Deeds to Affidavits of Heirship, we walk clients across Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, and the greater Houston area through the process with clarity, compassion, and precision.Whether you're buying your first home, selling a property, or managing a real estate investment, navigating real estate transactions can be complex. Real Estate Transfers ensures that every step of the process is handled correctly, protecting your interests and preventing costly mistakes.

Real Estate Transfer Services We Offer.

We help families and individuals navigate every kind of real estate transfer, including:

  • A document that transfers ownership in real estate from one person or entity to another person or entity.  There are many different types of deeds. We help our clients by selecting and drafting the appropriate deed for their situation. 

  • A type of deed that allows a person to name a primary and secondary beneficiary for their real estate. We use these deeds frequently to help our clients avoid probate. The ownership interest only transfers upon death. The owner of the property can revoke the transfer on death deed at any time before their death and the property is freely transferable during the owner’s lifetime.

  • Also called an Enhanced Life Estate Deed, the owner retains certain rights, such as the right to live in the property and the right to sell the property and at the same time conveys the ownership rights to someone else.  This is a way to convert a home to a nonprobate asset and can be part of a comprehensive Medicaid planning strategy...

  • This is an alternative to probate and is available in some circumstances to transfer real property from a deceased person to their heirs. This requires an affiant and two corroborating witnesses who do not inherit from or have an interest in the Decedent’s property. 

  • An affidavit of death would be required after someone dies and they had signed and recorded a Transfer on Death Deed or a LadyBird Deed. It may also be appropriate when the deceased person owned title with someone else as “joint owners with rights of survivorship.”

  • When a person buys real estate before their marriage and they subsequently get married, that person can convert the real estate to community property to protect their spouse. We prepare a deed and additional documents to be recorded in the real property records to convert the separate property to community property. 

  • When a person is married and wants to clarify that certain real estate is that person’s separate property, they may enter a separate property agreement with their spouse regarding that property to remove any ambiguity as to the classification of the property as separate property.

Why Families in Katy, Texas Choose Ortego Law Firm

Local Knowledge
We serve Katy, TX and surrounding areas with personal insight into Fort Bend, Harris, and Waller County property laws.

Speed & Accuracy
We make sure documents are drafted, reviewed, and recorded properly — saving you from mistakes that cost time and money later.

Family-Focused Legal Help
Whether you're planning ahead or reacting to a death in the family, we offer clear, friendly guidance without the overwhelm.

Custom Support, Not Cookie Cutter Forms
No generic templates here — every transfer is reviewed by our attorney with your family’s best interest in mind.

Common Real Estate Transfer Situations We Handle:

  • Transferring property between spouses or children

  • Adding or removing someone from a deed

  • Estate planning involving real estate

  • Handling property after the death of a loved one

  • Real estate for blended families or unmarried couples

  • Preparing for long-term care or Medicaid planning

Not sure which type of real estate transfer you need? We’re here to help.

Contact Ortego Law Firm today to schedule a consultation and get peace of mind that your property — and the people it affects — are protected.

📍 Serving Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, and the surrounding Houston suburbs.

How to get started.

  • 01

    Complete Our Online Intake Form

    Get started from the comfort of your home by filling out our easy-to-use online intake form. This helps us gather important details about your situation, so we can hit the ground running when we meet.

    Fill out our Contact Form

  • 02

    Call Us Directly

    Prefer to talk? We’re just a phone call or email away. Reach out to us with your questions or concerns, and one of our friendly team members will guide you through the next steps in protecting your assets and family.

    Call Us Now

 FAQs

  • Both avoid probate, but a Lady Bird Deed gives you more flexibility during your lifetime (like refinancing or selling without beneficiary consent). A TODD is simpler but more limited. We'll help you weigh the pros and cons based on your unique situation.

  • Yes — but it’s important to understand the gift tax consequences, Medicaid implications, and loss of control over the property. We can help you consider safer, smarter alternatives like enhanced life estate deeds.

  • If there's no will, you may need an affidavit of heirship or probate proceedings. We’ll review the title history and help you legally establish ownership — whether through documentation or court involvement.

  • No. We do not practice landlord tenant law. 


  • Many people think that the name of the owner in the appraisal district or property tax records is the owner of the real property. The record title owner may or may not correspond to the name of the owner in the appraisal district or property tax records. The record title owner is the last person to own the property as reflected in the Official Public Records of the county where the property is located. Once you verify the record title owner, additional research is needed if the owner is deceased. 

What to Expect with Working with a Notary

Here’s what to keep in mind when working with a notary:

Bring Valid Identification

Notaries must verify your identity to legally notarize a document. Be prepared to show a government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport. The ID must be current and unexpired.

Don’t Sign in Advance

It’s important that the notary witnesses you sign the document. If you sign it beforehand, the notary may be unable to proceed. Bring the unsigned document with you to the appointment and wait until you're in front of the notary.

Some Documents Require Witnesses

Depending on what you're signing (like a will or medical directive), you may also need one or more witnesses in addition to the notary. The notary cannot usually serve as a witness, so be sure to clarify this before your appointment.

Where to Find a Notary

Notaries can be found at:

  • Banks or credit unions

  • Mail and shipping centers (like UPS or FedEx stores)

  • Hospitals and long-term care facilities (check availability)

  • Local libraries or city offices

  • Mobile notary directories online

We recommend calling ahead to confirm hours, availability, and any specific requirements.

Our Frequently Asked Questions About Notary Process.

  • All you need to bring is proof of Identification and the document that needs to be notarized.

  • Only if the documents we prepare are notarized in our office, you will need to schedule a time to come in for the signing. These appointments typically take 20-30 minutes. Online and in-person notary services have their own charges, you will be responsible for the fees, as we do not cover these expenses.

  • No, you can sign in different places on different days. Don’t worry about that issue or the date on the first page at the top. I usually complete the date right before we record it and use the latest signature date in the document.

  • Yes, you can use an online Texas notary. You can be anywhere in the world, but the notary needs to be officially registered as a Texas online notary and he or she must physically be in Texas when online notarization occurs.

    We recommend John Gann for online notary services. The link to his contact information is below. Be aware that his email address is jgann@txnotary.co not jgann@txnotary.com

    About TX Notary Company | Remote Online Notary Services If you work with John Gann, instruct him to send the completed signed document to: info@lawortego.com

  • You can do that, but the recording fees will be higher by about $10.

  • You will print out the document and sign it in front of a notary. We will need the original physical copy in our office for recording in the deed records. 

    DO NOT SEND VIA US Postal Service. Please send any originals via private delivery such as FedEx or UPS to:

    Ortego Law Firm 24285 Katy Fwy. Suite 300, Katy, Texas 77494.