For most Lake 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 Lake 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 Lake 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 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.
A revocable transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Lake 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 Lake County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by Assessor-Recorder Richard A. Ford, at 255 North Forbes Street, Lakeport, CA 95453. Phone: (707) 263-2293. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Recording/vital records cutoff 4:30 PM.
The County 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 Lake 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.
Recording Office Record
Lake County · Assessor-Recorder · Richard A. Ford
Address
Phone
Hours
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 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 September 4, 2026 · Source
Solo PracticeKelseyville, CA
Estate planning and probate law office serving individuals of all asset levels in Lake County. Attorney Megan D. Lankford, a former Lake County prosecutor, handles estate planning, trust administration, probate, powers of attorney, and special needs planning.
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Solo PracticeLakeport, CA
Serves Lake and Mendocino counties from Lakeport. Handles trust administration, probate, and less formal small-estate administration, plus Medi-Cal and SSI eligibility, share of cost, and estate recovery. Dennis Fordham is a State Bar certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law and a director of the Northern California NAELA chapter.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more
Solo PracticeLakeport, CA
Serves Lake County from Lakeport, handling probate, trust and conservatorship administration, guardianship petitions, and small estate dispositions alongside estate planning. Mary Heare Amodio has practiced in Lake County since 2010 after 25 years at Bank of America, including its trust group, and takes court appointments in local probate and conservatorship cases. She is fluent in Spanish.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more
FirmChico, CA
Chico firm serving Butte, Tehama, Glenn, Lassen, Plumas, Modoc, Lake, Mendocino, and Shasta Counties, representing the executor or trustee in administering a decedent's estate from initial probate through final accounting. Also handles Medi-Cal and long-term-care planning, special needs trusts, and veterans benefits. Partners Neil A. Harris and Nicole R. Plottel are Certified Elder Law Attorneys.
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FirmSan Francisco, CA
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.
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FirmSan Rafael, CA
Serves Marin County from San Rafael, with offices across Northern and Southern California and statewide service by phone and video. Handles probate, trust administration, and Medi-Cal and elder law matters alongside estate and tax planning. Founder Jim Cunningham heads the San Rafael office and is a State Bar certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.
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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 Lake 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.
