What Is a Transfer-on-Death Designation and When Should You Use One? A transfer-on-death designation names a beneficiary to receive an asset at death while the owner keeps control during life. It can avoid probate for that asset, but the designation must coordinate with the rest of the plan. Estate-planning decisions affect control during life, the transfer of property at death, taxes, probate, and the people who may need to act during a crisis. A document that works in one family can create conflict in another because assets, beneficiary ages, marriages, debts, and ownership arrangements differ. This guide explains the general Ohio framework in plain language and identifies the records and…