Estate Planning for Del Norte County, California Property Owners

For most Del Norte 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 Del Norte 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 Del Norte 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 Del Norte County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Del Norte County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by County Clerk/Recorder Alissia D. Northrup, at 981 H Street, Suite 160, Crescent City, CA 95531. Phone: (707) 464-7216. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 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 Del Norte 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

Del Norte County · County Clerk/Recorder · Alissia D. Northrup

Address

981 H Street, Suite 160Crescent City, CA 95531

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 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 July 26, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Del Norte County

Solo PracticeCrescent City, CA

Del Norte Law Firm

Serves 1 county

Crescent City firm serving Del Norte County for more than 30 years. Handles estate planning alongside criminal defense, family law, foreclosure, and business matters; the site advertises no probate or trust administration work. Michael Riese founded the firm after 20 years in law enforcement and prosecution on the north coast.

PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness LawCriminal LawFamily Law

Office
651 J StreetCrescent City, CA 95531

Solo PracticeCrescent City, CA

Law Office of Gino deSolenni

Serves 1 county

Serves Del Norte County from Crescent City, handling probate administration and distribution of a decedent's assets, trust administration, wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. Gino deSolenni is admitted in both California and Oregon and has practiced estate planning and probate in Del Norte County since 2010; he also serves Curry County, Oregon.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
384 G StreetCrescent City, CA 95531

Solo PracticeEureka, CA

James D. Poovey, Inc.

Serves 4 counties

Serves Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, and Trinity counties from Eureka in wills, trusts, probate, and estate administration, including numerous will and trust contests and other complex probate litigation. James D. Poovey is certified as a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California and is one of only several attorneys so certified in Humboldt County.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
937 6th StreetEureka, CA 95501

FirmEureka, CA

Nielsen Cashman & Dean

Serves 3 counties

Eureka firm serving Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity Counties on the North Coast with probate administration, trust administration, and trust and estate litigation alongside estate planning. Partner Arthur Nielsen is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law by the State Bar of California. Complimentary initial 30-minute meeting or call.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate Litigationand 5 more

Office
2850 Harris StreetEureka, CA 95503
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmEureka, CA

Owens & Ross, Attorneys At Law

Since 2016 · Serves 2 counties

Eureka firm serving Humboldt and Del Norte Counties on the North Coast with probate, trust administration, transfers of property after death, and probate alternatives alongside estate planning. Dustin Owens and Laurence Ross formed the firm in 2016 and also practice real estate, civil litigation, and family law.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
1118 6th StEureka, CA 95501

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 Del Norte 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.