Estate Planning for Calaveras County, California Property Owners

For most Calaveras 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 Calaveras County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Superior Court - Probate Division. The two tools that keep a Calaveras 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, Calaveras County property passes through the Superior Court - 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 Calaveras County

A revocable transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Calaveras 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 →Calaveras Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Calaveras County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by Clerk-Recorder Rebecca Turner, at 891 Mountain Ranch Road, San Andreas, CA 95249. Phone: (209) 754-6372. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 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 Calaveras 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

Calaveras County · Clerk-Recorder · Rebecca Turner

Address

891 Mountain Ranch RoadSan Andreas, CA 95249

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 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 Calaveras County

FirmMurphys, CA

MeyerPink Law

Serves 5 counties

Murphys firm with offices in Sonora and Modesto, serving Calaveras, Tuolumne, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Merced Counties with probate and trust administration alongside estate planning. Appears regularly in the Calaveras County Superior Court in San Andreas. Founding partner Jay Pink is an attorney, CFP, and CPA.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
90 Big Trees Road, Suite DMurphys, CA 95247
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmAmador City, CA

Burton & Swett, LLP

Serves 3 counties

Amador City firm serving Amador County and the surrounding Gold Country. Handles probate and estate administration and trust and estate litigation, alongside wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, elder law, and real estate work. Notary services are available at the office.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more

Office
14220 Old State Route 49Amador City, CA 95601

FirmModesto, CA

Leguria Law

Since 2009 · Serves 6 counties

Modesto firm on K Street serving Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Merced, Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Calaveras counties with trust administration and probate alongside wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Founded in 2009 by Gina Leguria, whose own family spent four and a half years in probate court after her father died, it also handles Medi-Cal and special needs planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
1315 K StreetModesto, CA 95354
Free consultation

FirmModesto, CA

Ogden Law Firm, PC

Serves 6 counties

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationTax Planning

Office
1535 J St, Ste AModesto, CA 95354
Free consultation

Solo PracticeRoseville, CA

Sanborn Law

Since 2006 · Serves 13 counties

Roseville firm handling probate and decedent estate administration, including ancillary probate, plus trust administration, conservatorships, and litigation in those areas — will contests and beneficiary disputes. Marlene Sanborn, a retired Air Force flight engineer, opened the firm in 2006 and has practiced law in California since 1998.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
2998 Douglas Blvd, Suite 305Roseville, CA 95661
Free consultation

Solo PracticeJackson, CA

The Estate Planning Law Center

Since 2003 · Serves 2 counties

Serves Amador and Calaveras counties from Main Street in Jackson. Handles probate and trust administration after a death alongside wills and trusts. Gwendolyn K. Christeson founded the practice and is a State Bar certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, practicing in Amador County since 2003; new estate plans get a free 30-minute consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
159 Main StreetJackson, CA 95642
Free consultation
See all 31 firms serving Calaveras 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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