Estate Planning for Colusa, California Property Owners

For most Colusa 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 Colusa 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 Colusa 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.

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 Colusa County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Colusa County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar Cristy Jayne Edwards, at 546 Jay Street, Suite 200, Colusa, CA 95932. Phone: (530) 458-0500. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM.

The County Clerk-Recorder charges $15 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. A 2-page revocable transfer on death deed costs $93 to record in Colusa County, 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

Colusa County · County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar · Cristy Jayne Edwards

Address

546 Jay Street, Suite 200Colusa, CA 95932

Hours

Monday - Friday, 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

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Colusa County

Solo PracticeColusa, CA

Steidlmayer Law

Since 1979 · Serves 2 counties

Colusa firm serving the Sacramento Valley with probate and trust administration alongside estate planning. Guides executors, administrators, and trustees from petition and heir and creditor notices through inventories, accountings, and final distribution orders. Erin Steidlmayer now runs the practice her father-in-law opened in Colusa in 1979; Spanish interpretation is available in the office.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
659 Jay StreetColusa, CA 95932

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

FirmDavis, CA

Pakpour Banks LLP

Since 2019 · Serves 7 counties

Davis firm serving Yolo, Sacramento, Solano, Placer, Colusa, El Dorado, and Yuba Counties with probate administration and conservatorships alongside estate planning and special needs planning. Keith Banks was previously probate clerk and attorney-unit research assistant at the Yolo Superior Court. Formed in 2019 by the merger of two Yolo County firms.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateConservatorshipSpecial Needs Planning

Office
1712 Picasso Ave, Suite BDavis, CA 95618
Free consultation

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 Colusa 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.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Legal Sources

Data sourced from California statutes and official state code. How we research.

California Estate Planning Articles

Estate planning articles for California.