Estate Planning for El Dorado County, California Property Owners

For most El Dorado 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 El Dorado 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 El Dorado County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Recorder-Clerk, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, El Dorado County property passes through the Superior Court — 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 El Dorado County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for El Dorado County are recorded with the County Recorder-Clerk, led by Recorder-Clerk Janelle K. Horne, at 360 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667. Phone: (530) 621-5490. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Recording 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The County Recorder-Clerk charges $14 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. Recording a 2-page revocable transfer on death deed in El Dorado County comes to $92, 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.

El Dorado County accepts electronic recording.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder-Clerk

El Dorado County · Recorder-Clerk · Janelle K. Horne

Address

360 Fair LanePlacerville, CA 95667

Fax

(530) 621-2147

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Recording 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

E-recording

AvailableE-recording info →
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 July 26, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving El Dorado County

FirmSacramento, CA

Northern California Center for Estate Planning & Elder Law

Since 1987 · Serves 7 counties

Sacramento and Roseville firm serving Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, Nevada, and Yuba-Sutter Counties with trust administration, probate, Medi-Cal planning, and long-term care planning since 1987. Founder Timothy Murphy is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans with benefits claims. Offers a free initial telephone call.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationElder Lawand 4 more

Office
2277 Fair Oaks Blvd, Ste 320Sacramento, CA 95825
Free consultationVirtual consultations

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

FirmRoseville, CA

Wade Law Offices

Since 2010 · Serves 3 counties

Roseville firm serving Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado Counties with probate, trust administration, and estate administration for executors, personal representatives, and beneficiaries. David D. Wade founded the firm in 2010, and its attorneys are licensed in California and Washington. Free initial consultation, in person or remotely.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
1677 Eureka Road, Suite 203Roseville, CA 95661
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

FirmSouth Lake Tahoe, CA

Holmes Christian PLC

Serves 5 counties

South Lake Tahoe firm serving El Dorado County and the Tahoe basin, with attorneys admitted in both California and Nevada. Partner Tara Christian handles probate and trust administration, conservatorships and guardianships, and estate planning, alongside the firm's real estate and land use practice. The first consultation is free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
976 Edgewood CircleSouth Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Free consultation

Solo PracticeSouth Lake Tahoe, CA

Syntero APC

Serves 6 counties

South Lake Tahoe office serving El Dorado County and the Bay Area with trust and probate administration, trust and probate litigation, and wealth succession planning alongside estate planning. Attorney Jean-Claude Mallein is a dual Certified Specialist in Taxation Law and in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, certified by the California Board of Legal Specialization.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
1046 Al Tahoe Blvd., Suite 13583South Lake Tahoe, CA 96151
See all 34 firms serving El Dorado 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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