For most Kern 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.
For a Kern County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Superior Court - Probate Department. The two tools that keep a Kern 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.
Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Kern County property passes through the Superior Court - Probate Department — 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.
A revocable transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Kern 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.
Deeds and other real property documents for Kern County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by Assessor-Recorder Laura Avila, at 1530 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Phone: (661) 868-6400. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM (recording).
The County Recorder charges $13 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. Recording a 2-page revocable transfer on death deed in Kern County comes to $91, which is $16 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
Kern County · Assessor-Recorder · Laura Avila
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $13 |
| 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 deed | Exempt |
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
Verified July 26, 2026 · Source
FirmBakersfield, CA
Bakersfield office of a California firm with more than 120 years of practice and ten offices across the state. Handles estate planning, trust administration, probate, and conservatorships from the Kern County office, alongside civil litigation, family law, agricultural law, and business matters.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorship
FirmBakersfield, CA
Bakersfield firm serving Kern County and the San Joaquin Valley since 1953, with offices in Fresno, Pasadena, Encinitas, and Santa Barbara. Handles probate and estate administration, including for personal representatives living outside California, plus trust administration and probate and trust disputes. Practice group leader Nancy L. Oehler is a certified specialist in trust and probate law.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 7 more
FirmBakersfield, CA
Bakersfield firm representing executors, administrators, and trustees in Kern County probate and trust administration, including contested accountings and other probate and trust litigation, and has handled estates valued in the tens of millions. Founded in 1985.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more
FirmBakersfield, CA
Bakersfield firm serving Kern County and the San Joaquin Valley since 1939 with probate administration, trust administration, and wills alongside estate planning. Kevin Danley leads the estate practice, guiding executors and trustees through probate court, guardianships, and conservatorships. The firm calls itself one of Kern County's oldest and largest.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorship
FirmBakersfield, CA
Bakersfield firm serving all of Kern County from a downtown office on 20th Street, with roots in the city dating back to 1951. Attorney John Wall works with trustees, heirs, and executors to settle estates, paying the estate's debts, guiding probate, and distributing assets to heirs. The firm also drafts estate plans.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more
FirmSanta Barbara, CA
Serves Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Kern, and Los Angeles counties, with six Central Coast and Southern California offices. Handles probate and trust administration, conservatorships, guardianships, and will and trust disputes, alongside estate planning and Medi-Cal planning. Christopher Botti is a State Bar board certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 7 more
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.
Data sourced from California statutes and official state code. How we research.
Estate planning articles for California.
Forms and tools for property owners in Kern County.
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Create a free, state-specific will with witness and notarization requirements included.
Transfer assets to your existing trust. State execution requirements included.
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate.
Designate someone to make medical decisions on your behalf.
Designate someone to manage your financial affairs.
Answer questions about your estate size, real estate ownership, marital status, and family situation to see how a revocable trust compares to a will alone. Includes estimated probate costs for your state.
Answer questions about your property type, ownership structure, and estate plan to see if a TOD deed is the right approach. Includes state-specific availability, signing requirements, and recording fees.
Compare trusts vs wills for your specific situation. See probate costs, trust administration expenses, and whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures based on your state and estate value.
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.
Estate planning articles for California.
