Estate Planning for Merced, California Property Owners

For most Merced 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 Merced 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 Merced 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, Merced 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 Merced County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Merced County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by Assessor-Clerk-Recorder Matt H. May, at 2222 M Street, Main Floor, Merced, CA 95340. Phone: (209) 385-7627. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM; Recording cutoff 3:30 PM.

The County Recorder charges $14 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. Recording a 2-page revocable transfer on death deed in Merced 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.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Merced County · Assessor-Clerk-Recorder · Matt H. May

Address

2222 M Street, Main FloorMerced, CA 95340

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM; Recording cutoff 3:30 PM
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 September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Merced County

FirmMerced, CA

Berliner Cohen LLP

Serves 5 counties

Serves Merced, Mariposa, and Stanislaus counties from Merced, with offices in San Jose, Modesto, and Mariposa. Represents trustees and executors on full and summary probate, sub-trust funding, fiduciary accountings, estate tax returns, and post-death tax planning, and handles probate, trust, and estate litigation. One of the few firms with a Mariposa County office.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate Litigationand 2 more

Office
548 W. 21st StreetMerced, CA 95340

Solo PracticeMerced, CA

Curry and Curry

Serves 4 counties

Merced practice serving Merced, Mariposa, Stanislaus, and Fresno counties. Advises executors and administrators through probate, from the petition and letters testamentary to collecting assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing to heirs, and handles special needs trusts, Medi-Cal planning, and long-term care planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
728 West 19th StreetMerced, CA 95340

FirmMerced, CA

King & King

Serves 1 county

Merced firm serving Merced County for over 40 years with estate planning and probate, trusts, conservatorships, will contests, Medi-Cal planning, and elder law. Keith C. King, admitted in 1961, serves on the Merced Probate Court Rules Committee and belongs to the State Bar Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 7 more

Office
510 West 21st StreetMerced, CA 95340

FirmModesto, CA

Leguria Law

Since 2009 · Serves 6 counties

Modesto firm on K Street serving Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Merced, Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Calaveras counties with trust administration and probate alongside wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Founded in 2009 by Gina Leguria, whose own family spent four and a half years in probate court after her father died, it also handles Medi-Cal and special needs planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
1315 K StreetModesto, CA 95354
Free consultation

FirmMurphys, CA

MeyerPink Law

Serves 5 counties

Murphys firm with offices in Sonora and Modesto, serving Calaveras, Tuolumne, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Merced Counties with probate and trust administration alongside estate planning. Appears regularly in the Calaveras County Superior Court in San Andreas. Founding partner Jay Pink is an attorney, CFP, and CPA.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
90 Big Trees Road, Suite DMurphys, CA 95247
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmModesto, CA

Ogden Law Firm, PC

Serves 6 counties

Modesto firm serving Stanislaus, Merced, San Joaquin, Tuolumne, Calaveras, and Fresno Counties with probate administration, trust administration, and estate and gift tax planning alongside wills and trusts. Offers a free consultation on all new probate matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationTax Planning

Office
1535 J St, Ste AModesto, CA 95354
Free consultation
See all 31 firms serving Merced 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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