Practice Areas

Deed Preparation

Last updated: June 2026

Accurate, title-ready deed drafting for Ohio property owners, title companies, and real estate professionals—with the turnaround your closing demands.

Overview

A deed is the foundation of every real estate transaction, and errors in drafting—wrong legal description, incorrect vesting, missing notary language—can cloud title and delay or kill a closing. McEndree Law prepares accurate, recordable deeds for all standard Ohio conveyances, with careful attention to the county-specific requirements that affect whether a deed passes through the recorder’s office without issue.

Whether you’re a property owner transferring real estate to a trust, a family member, or a new buyer—or a title company that needs clean deed work delivered on time—McEndree Law handles the drafting so the transaction closes without complications.

Jeffrey A. McEndree II prepares deeds for transactions throughout Ohio, with familiarity with the recording requirements and transfer tax rules that vary by county. Every deed is reviewed before delivery to confirm it meets the requirements for recording and accurately reflects the parties’ intent.

For Professionals

Title Companies & Real Estate Professionals

McEndree Law works directly with title companies, lenders, and real estate agents. Email your order to orders@ohiodeedattorney.com and receive a draft deed ready for your review.

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Or use our contact formFull details for title companies →

Deed Types We Prepare

  • General Warranty Deed
  • Limited Warranty Deed
  • Quitclaim Deed
  • Survivorship (Joint & Survivor) Deed
  • Trustee's Deed
  • Executor's / Administrator's / Fiduciary's Deed
  • Corrective Deed / Scrivener's Affidavit

Affidavit Types We Prepare

  • Transfer on Death Designation Affidavit (TODDA)
  • Affidavit of Facts
  • Affidavit of Real Estate Inherited / Affidavit of Heirship
  • Affidavit of Confirmation
  • Affidavit of Successor Trustee
  • Affidavit of Survivorship

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a warranty deed and a quitclaim deed in Ohio?
A warranty deed contains covenants of title—guarantees by the grantor about the quality of the title being conveyed. With a general warranty deed, the grantor warrants against defects in the chain of title going back indefinitely. With a limited warranty deed, the grantor warrants only against defects that arose during their ownership. A quitclaim deed contains no warranties: it conveys whatever interest the grantor has, if any, with no guarantee about the title's quality. Quitclaim deeds are appropriate for transfers between family members or into trusts; they are generally not appropriate for arm's-length purchase transactions.
Do I need an attorney to transfer property in Ohio?
In Ohio, only the grantor of the real property or a licensed attorney may prepare a deed. A non-attorney who prepares a deed for someone else's transaction risks engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. That means title companies, paralegals, and closing coordinators who need a deed drafted must either have the grantor prepare it themselves or retain a licensed Ohio attorney to do so. Beyond the legal requirement, errors in deed preparation—incorrect legal descriptions, wrong vesting language, missing notarial elements, or failure to comply with county-specific recording requirements—can cloud title and create problems that are expensive to correct.
What is a Transfer on Death Designation Affidavit (TODDA)?
A TODDA is a document authorized by Ohio law that allows a property owner to designate beneficiaries to receive their real property at death, while retaining complete ownership and control during their lifetime. The designation can be changed or revoked at any time. When the owner dies, the beneficiary records an affidavit confirming the owner's death, and the property passes without going through estate administration. It is not a deed and does not transfer any current interest—it takes effect only at the owner's death.
What happens if there is an error in a recorded deed?
The appropriate remedy depends on the nature and timing of the error. Minor typographical errors that don't affect the validity of the conveyance may be corrected with a scrivener's affidavit recorded in the same county. More substantive errors—an incorrect legal description, wrong parties, or missing execution requirements—may require a corrective deed executed by the grantor. Addressing errors promptly is important; errors that remain in the chain of title can resurface at future sales and complicate the transaction.

Need a Deed Prepared?

Whether you’re a title company with a closing on the calendar or a property owner making a transfer, McEndree Law is ready to help. Reach out to get started.

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Ohio Deed Preparation Attorney | McEndree Law LLC