Estate Planning for Mendocino County, California Property Owners

For most Mendocino 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 Mendocino 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 Mendocino 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.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Mendocino County property passes through the Superior Court - Probate Division — 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 Mendocino County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Mendocino County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder Katrina Bartolomie, at 501 Low Gap Road, Room 1020, Ukiah, CA 95482. Phone: (707) 234-6822. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

The County Clerk-Recorder charges $13 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. Recording a 2-page revocable transfer on death deed in Mendocino 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

County Clerk-Recorder

Mendocino County · Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder · Katrina Bartolomie

Address

501 Low Gap Road, Room 1020Ukiah, CA 95482

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Visit recorder website →

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 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 13, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Mendocino County

FirmUkiah, CA

Carter Rich PC

Serves 1 county

Ukiah firm with a second Willits office, serving Mendocino County. Carries clients through probate proceedings and trust administrations, and handles trust contests within its civil litigation practice, alongside estate planning, real estate, and business matters. Counting its predecessor firm, it is the oldest law firm in Mendocino County.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
305 North Main StreetUkiah, CA 95482

FirmUkiah, CA

James & McMullen, LLP

Serves 1 county

Ukiah firm serving Mendocino County, with an estate planning practice covering wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives alongside its insurance, real estate, business, employment, and family law work. Partners Duncan M. James and Donald J. McMullen have practiced in Ukiah since 1967 and 2002. Free consultation offered.

PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness LawEmployment LawFamily LawReal Estate

Office
445 N. State StUkiah, CA 95482
Free consultation

Solo PracticeUkiah, CA

Law Office of David M. Kindopp

Serves 1 county

Ukiah solo practice serving Mendocino County with probate and estate administration, trust administration, and trust litigation, plus elder law and real estate matters. David M. Kindopp has served the Ukiah area for more than 25 years and represents beneficiaries of unplanned estates through the probate process.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
211 W. Standley StreetUkiah, CA 95482

Solo PracticeUkiah, CA

Law Offices of Caren Callahan

Serves 1 county

Serves Mendocino County from Ukiah, handling probate and trust and estate administration alongside estate planning. Caren Callahan has practiced since 1990 and is a State Bar certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, with trusts and estates as her reported practice area.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
376 E Gobbi St, Ste BUkiah, CA 95482

FirmChico, CA

Harris & Plottel, LLP

Since 2011 · Serves 9 counties

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
466 Vallombrosa AveChico, CA 95926

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
See all 31 firms serving Mendocino 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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