Modesto firm serving Stanislaus, Merced, San Joaquin, Tuolumne, Calaveras, and Fresno Counties with probate administration, trust administration, and estate and gift tax planning alongside wills and trusts. Offers a free consultation on all new probate matters.
Probate in Merced County
Probate Court Record
Merced County Superior Court - Probate Department
Merced County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-3:00 PM
Office
627 West 21st Street, Merced, CA 95340
Website
E-filing
Filing in person
Walk-ins accepted
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Merced County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Merced County? →Settling an estate in Merced County →
Tax Planning Firms Serving Merced County
Estate planning and tax law firm in Fresno serving the San Joaquin and Central Valley since 2004. Drafts wills, codicils, trusts, and powers of attorney and handles trust planning and asset protection alongside tax controversy and business law; the site advertises no probate work. Frank Huerta Jr. brings nearly 18 years as a tax attorney, and consultations are free.
Serves Marin County from San Rafael, with offices across Northern and Southern California and statewide service by phone and video. Handles probate, trust administration, and Medi-Cal and elder law matters alongside estate and tax planning. Founder Jim Cunningham heads the San Rafael office and is a State Bar certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.
Los Angeles and Torrance firm handling probate, trust administration, will contests, and trust and estate litigation across Southern California, alongside a deep tax practice. Also covers elder law, conservatorships, Medi-Cal planning, and special needs trusts. David Lee Rice is a certified specialist in taxation and a NAELA-certified elder law attorney. Free 30-minute consultation.
Irvine practice serving Orange County and the rest of Southern California with probate and trust administration, trust review and litigation, guardianships, and conservatorships alongside estate and estate-tax planning. W. Bailey Smith is certified by the State Bar of California as a specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law and was admitted in 1971.
Sacramento firm with Folsom and Roseville offices serving Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, and El Dorado Counties with probate administration, trust administration, and conservatorships alongside estate planning. Founder Michael Yee guides executors and families through the probate process. Free case evaluation, with videoconference and phone meetings available.
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in California
Free California forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for California.
$12/month
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Free
Last Will and Testament
In California, a will is signed before 2Cal. Prob. Code § 6110Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and the witnesses sign an affidavit at probate instead of a self-proving affidavitCal. Prob. Code § 6110Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
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Free
Pour-Over Will
In California, a pour-over will is signed before 2Cal. Prob. Code § 6110Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in California
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in California: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for California.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
California levies no estate or inheritance taxNo state estate, inheritance, or gift tax; prohibited by Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 13301 (voter Prop 6, 1982). California Estate Tax Return no longer required for decedents dying on/after Jan. 1, 2005 (CA State Controller's Office).Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; only the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Calculate the Tax
What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?
California imposes no inheritance or estate taxNo state estate, inheritance, or gift tax; prohibited by Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 13301 (voter Prop 6, 1982). California Estate Tax Return no longer required for decedents dying on/after Jan. 1, 2005 (CA State Controller's Office).Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 9 months to 12 months for a simple estate.
Calculate the Tax
How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in California take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces ordinary income tax at the state's regular ratesCal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 17041(a), (e), (h) — rate schedule; estates/trusts taxed at individual rates; annual bracket indexingVerified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Calculate the Tax
When Do I Have to Withdraw an Inherited IRA?
See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.
Check the Rules
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable trust in California runs $4,320Estimate: 10 hours at $432, Clio's California Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $6,480Estimate: 15 hours at $432, Clio's California Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $1,329Estimate: 3 hours at $443, Clio's California Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,658Estimate: 6 hours at $443, Clio's California Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
Calculate Costs
