Estate Planning for Butte County, California Property Owners

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

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Butte County property passes through the Superior Court - Civil/Probate Division — even simple California probates run 9+ months and start with $435 in 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 Butte County

A revocable transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Butte County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Clerk-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 →Butte Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Butte County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder at 155 Nelson Avenue, Oroville, CA 95965. Phone: (530) 552-3400. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (closed 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM; closed 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM first Wednesday of each month); Recording hours 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM.

The County Clerk-Recorder charges $15 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. Recording a 2-page revocable transfer on death deed in Butte County comes to $93, which is $18 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 Clerk-Recorder

Butte County · County Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters

Address

155 Nelson AvenueOroville, CA 95965

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (closed 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM; closed 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM first Wednesday of each month); Recording hours 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$15
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 Butte County

Solo PracticeChico, CA

Brett A. Gilman Attorney at Law

Since 1993 · Serves 3 counties

Solo Chico practice serving Butte County and nearby Oroville, Paradise, Willows, and Red Bluff. Brett A. Gilman has been in private practice since 1993 and now focuses entirely on probate, wills, trusts, and estate planning, handling every client file himself. Document preparation is billed at $250 per hour.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbate

Office
140 Yellowstone Drive, Suite 120Chico, CA 95973
Virtual consultations

FirmChico, CA

Harris & Plottel, LLP

Since 2011 · Serves 9 counties

Chico firm serving Butte, Tehama, Glenn, Lassen, Plumas, Modoc, Lake, Mendocino, and Shasta Counties, representing the executor or trustee in administering a decedent's estate from initial probate through final accounting. Also handles Medi-Cal and long-term-care planning, special needs trusts, and veterans benefits. Partners Neil A. Harris and Nicole R. Plottel are Certified Elder Law Attorneys.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
466 Vallombrosa AveChico, CA 95926

Solo PracticeChico, CA

Law Offices of Daniel H. Alexander, APLC

Since 1996 · Serves 6 counties

Chico practice serving Butte, Plumas, Placer, Sacramento, Lassen, and Glenn counties, with satellite offices in Rocklin, Sacramento, and Lake Almanor. Handles probate for personal representatives, making the court appearances and preparing the pleadings an estate requires, and resolves probate and trust litigation. Daniel Alexander has practiced in these areas since 1996.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigation

Office
901 Bruce Rd, Suite 230Chico, CA 95928

Solo PracticeChico, CA

Law Offices of Spencer M. Gysin

Serves 8 counties

Serves Butte County and the northern Sacramento Valley from an office in Chico. Spencer M. Gysin prepares wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives, and handles probate conservatorships for adults who can no longer manage their own affairs. The practice also covers family law and guardianships.

PracticesEstate PlanningConservatorshipGuardianshipLandlord Tenant

Office
1395 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 300Chico, CA 95973

Solo PracticeChico, CA

Ron Marquez Law Corp

Serves 4 counties

General-practice law firm with offices in Chico and Red Bluff serving Butte, Glenn, Tehama, and Yuba Counties. Estate practice covers wills, trusts, and probate — assisting testators, administrators, and beneficiaries — alongside family law and personal injury matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
1370 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 5Chico, CA 95973

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
See all 29 firms serving Butte 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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