Estate Planning for Fresno, California Property Owners

For most Fresno 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 Fresno 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 Fresno County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County 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 Fresno County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Fresno County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by Assessor-Recorder Paul Dictos, at 1250 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA 93721. Phone: (559) 600-3476. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 1146, Fresno, CA 93715-1146.

The County Recorder charges $19 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. A 2-page revocable transfer on death deed costs $97 to record in Fresno County, which is $22 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 Recorder

Fresno County · Assessor-Recorder · Paul Dictos

Address

1250 Van Ness AvenueFresno, CA 93721Mailing: P.O. Box 1146, Fresno, CA 93715-1146

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$19
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 Fresno County

FirmFresno, CA

Baker Manock & Jensen, PC

Since 1903 · Serves 4 counties

Serves Fresno and the surrounding Central Valley from Fresno, practicing since 1903 with roughly 40 attorneys. The trusts and estates group handles trust and estate administration, trust and estate contests, litigation and appeals, and represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in estate and gift tax audits and disputes.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
5260 N. Palm Ave, Suite 201Fresno, CA 93704

Solo PracticeFresno, CA

Estate Planning Law Office of Jonathon L. Petty, Inc.

Serves 1 county

Fresno firm serving Fresno County and the Central Valley with probate and trust administration alongside estate planning. Guides executors and trustees through inventories, tax returns, and distribution, and handles conservatorships, tax planning, and asset protection. Runs free Fundamentals of Estate Planning workshops.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
7636 N. Ingram Avenue, Suite 111Fresno, CA 93711

FirmFresno, CA

McCormick Barstow LLP

Serves 6 counties

Fresno firm serving the central San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast from offices in Fresno, Modesto, Visalia, and San Luis Obispo. Its trusts and estates group administers testate and intestate estates and trusts, and represents beneficiaries, fiduciaries, and creditors in probate and trust litigation, will and trust contests, and fiduciary surcharge and removal proceedings.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
7647 N. Fresno StreetFresno, CA 93720

FirmFresno, CA

Pascuzzi, Pascuzzi & Stoker

Since 1990 · Serves 1 county

Fresno boutique serving Fresno County and central California with probate administration, trust administration, small estate transfers, and conservatorships alongside estate planning. Harry Pascuzzi, Susan Pascuzzi, and Steven Stoker advise families on the probate process and probate avoidance. Founded in 1990; Spanish spoken.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
2377 W. Shaw Avenue, Suite 101Fresno, CA 93711

Solo PracticeFresno, CA

The Law Office of Frank Huerta Jr.

Since 2004 · Serves 9 counties

Estate planning and tax law firm in Fresno serving the San Joaquin and Central Valley since 2004. Drafts wills, codicils, trusts, and powers of attorney and handles trust planning and asset protection alongside tax controversy and business law; the site advertises no probate work. Frank Huerta Jr. brings nearly 18 years as a tax attorney, and consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningTax PlanningAsset ProtectionBusiness LawBusiness Planning

Office
1255 West Shaw Avenue, Suite 101Fresno, CA 93711
Free consultation

Solo PracticeFresno, CA

The Law Office of Philip M. Flanigan, P.C.

Since 1998 · Serves 1 county

Fresno solo practice that guides personal representatives through California probate, validating the will, confirming the personal representative, settling debts, and overseeing distribution of estate assets, and handles trust administration for surviving families. Philip M. Flanigan has represented Fresno-area clients since 1998 and also takes conservatorship, Medi-Cal, and elder-law matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
4082 N Cedar Ave, Ste 104Fresno, CA 93726
See all 37 firms serving Fresno 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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