Estate Planning for Alpine County, California Property Owners

For most Alpine County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.

Record a TOD deedWhere to recordLocal attorneys

For a Alpine County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Superior Court. The two tools that keep a Alpine County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Recorder, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Skipping this planning step means the Superior Court decides who receives the property: a simple California probate takes 9+ months and opens with $435 in court filing fees. California also lets owners name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on vehicle titles, which keeps cars out of the same process.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Alpine County

A revocable transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Alpine County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Recorder during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, a California revocable transfer on death deed is signed with 2Cal. Prob. Code 5600-5698Verified Aug 24, 2026View source witnesses and notary acknowledgmentCal. Prob. Code 5600-5698Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded within 60 daysCal. Prob. Code 5600-5698Verified Aug 24, 2026View source of notarization and before the owner's deathCal. Prob. Code 5600-5698Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Create a CaliforniaTOD deed →Alpine Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Alpine County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by Assessor/Recorder Donald O'Connor, at 99 Water Street, Markleeville, CA 96120. Phone: (530) 694-2283. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM; Recording hours 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM.

The County Recorder charges $12 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. A 2-page revocable transfer on death deed costs $90 to record in Alpine County, which is $15 in recording fees plus the $75 Building Homes and Jobs Act Fee (SB 2). A revocable transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Alpine County · Assessor/Recorder · Donald O'Connor

Address

99 Water StreetMarkleeville, CA 96120

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM; Recording hours 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$12
Each additional page$3
GC 27388.1 Building Homes and Jobs Act Fee (SB 2)Applies to a TOD deed$75
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

Cal. Gov. Code 27361; Cal. Gov. Code 27388; Cal. Gov. Code 27388.1; Cal. Gov. Code 27388.2; Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code 11911; Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code 11930

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Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Alpine County

FirmSouth Lake Tahoe, CA

Holmes Christian PLC

Serves 5 counties

South Lake Tahoe firm serving El Dorado County and the Tahoe basin, with attorneys admitted in both California and Nevada. Partner Tara Christian handles probate and trust administration, conservatorships and guardianships, and estate planning, alongside the firm's real estate and land use practice. The first consultation is free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
976 Edgewood CircleSouth Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Free consultation

Solo PracticeSouth Lake Tahoe, CA

Syntero APC

Serves 6 counties

South Lake Tahoe office serving El Dorado County and the Bay Area with trust and probate administration, trust and probate litigation, and wealth succession planning alongside estate planning. Attorney Jean-Claude Mallein is a dual Certified Specialist in Taxation Law and in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, certified by the California Board of Legal Specialization.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
1046 Al Tahoe Blvd., Suite 13583South Lake Tahoe, CA 96151

FirmSouth Lake Tahoe, CA

Tillson Law

Serves 2 counties

South Lake Tahoe firm serving El Dorado and Alpine Counties with probate and trust administration alongside estate planning. Three Tillson attorneys with over 50 years of combined service in the community. Joseph W. Tillson holds the State Bar of California certified legal specialty in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
589 Tahoe Keys Boulevard, Suite E-4South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

FirmSan Francisco, CA

Cappelloni Law PC

Since 2018 · Serves the whole state

Serves San Francisco and the greater Bay Area from downtown San Francisco, and handles probate proceedings in every California county. Guides executors, administrators, and trustees through probate and trust administration alongside estate planning, billing probate work at California Probate Code statutory rates. Founded in 2018.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
315 Montgomery Street, Suite 960San Francisco, CA 94104
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmSan Rafael, CA

CunninghamLegal

Serves the whole state

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
899 Northgate Drive, Suite 307San Rafael, CA 94903
Free consultationVirtual consultations

Solo PracticeSan Diego, CA

Casiano Law Firm

Serves the whole state

Serves San Diego County and Southern California from Newport Avenue in San Diego, centered on probate and trust disputes. Handles probate and trust administration, contested wills and accountings, trustee removal, and breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims, plus elder law and Medi-Cal planning. Vincent M. Casiano is a State Bar certified specialist; the first 30-minute consultation is free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 6 more

Office
4967 Newport Avenue, Suite 12-172San Diego, CA 92107
Free consultation
See all 27 firms serving Alpine County→

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

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