Estate Planning for Contra Costa County, California Property Owners

For most Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa 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 - Probate Division 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 Contra Costa County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Contra Costa County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by County Clerk-Recorder Kristin B. Connelly, at 555 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 94553. Phone: (925) 335-7900. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (including noon hour); Extended hours 1st and 3rd Thursday 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM.

The County Clerk-Recorder charges $14 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. A 2-page revocable transfer on death deed costs $92 to record in Contra Costa County, which is $17 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.

Contra Costa County accepts electronic recording.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk-Recorder

Contra Costa County · County Clerk-Recorder · Kristin B. Connelly

Address

555 Escobar StreetMartinez, CA 94553

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (including noon hour); Extended hours 1st and 3rd Thursday 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM

E-recording

Available
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$14
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 Contra Costa County

FirmFairfield, CA

Barber Tubis Law, P.C.

Serves 2 counties

Fairfield firm serving Solano and Contra Costa counties. Guides families through the California probate process in the Solano County court, advises trustees and beneficiaries during trust administration, and represents parties in contested will and trust proceedings. The practice also covers estate planning, guardianships, elder abuse, and family law.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
547 Jefferson St, Suite AFairfield, CA 94533

FirmSan Francisco, CA

Bay Area Probate & Estate Law

Serves 5 counties

Serves San Francisco, San Mateo, and the surrounding Bay Area from downtown San Francisco. Handles probate and trust administration through asset distribution and title transfers, plus conservatorships and trust and estate litigation. Principal Sheila Robello holds an LLM in taxation and is a State Bar certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate Litigationand 2 more

Office
177 Post St, Suite 600San Francisco, CA 94108
Free consultation

FirmOakland, CA

Bowman Law Group, P.C.

Serves 2 counties

Boutique Uptown Oakland practice serving Alameda County executors and successor trustees. Settles a decedent's estate whether or not a court proceeding is required, advises beneficiaries of estates and trusts, and represents fiduciaries appointed to administer estates, trusts, and conservatorships. The practice traces to a firm founded in Oakland in 1948.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorship

Office
1901 Harrison Street, Suite 1500Oakland, CA 94612

FirmWalnut Creek, CA

Brothers Smith LLP

Serves 2 counties

Walnut Creek firm serving Contra Costa and Alameda counties. Probate work covers court filings and hearings, creditors' claims, inventory and appraisals, court accountings, and distribution, alongside trust administration, conservatorship petitions, and special needs trusts. Represents trustees, personal representatives, beneficiaries, and heirs in will contests and trust disputes.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 6 more

Office
2033 N Main Street, Suite 720Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Solo PracticeNapa, CA

Celaya Law

Serves 16 counties

Napa estate planning and elder law practice led by Anthony Celaya, with offices across California from Santa Rosa and Sacramento to Los Angeles and San Diego. Handles probate and estate administration and Medi-Cal planning alongside trusts, wills, and incapacity planning. Clients are served in person or through virtual consultations, and the initial consultation is free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
960 School St.Napa, CA 94559
Free consultationVirtual consultations

Solo PracticeOakland, CA

East Bay Probate & Trust Administration

Since 1986 · Serves 2 counties

Serves executors, heirs, and trustees in Oakland and across Alameda County from Harrison Street downtown. A boutique built around the probate process and trust administration, with estate planning, Medi-Cal planning, and first-party special needs trusts alongside. Founder Mike Broad has practiced in the East Bay since 1986.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
1999 Harrison Street, 18th FloorOakland, CA 94612
See all 41 firms serving Contra Costa 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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