Estate Planning for Napa, California Property Owners

For most Napa 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 Napa County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Superior Court - Civil Division. The two tools that keep a Napa 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, Napa County property passes through the Superior Court - Civil 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 Napa County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Napa County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by Recorder-County Clerk John Tuteur, at 1127 First Street, Suite A, Napa, CA 94559. Phone: (707) 253-4105. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM (recording).

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 298, Napa, CA 94559-0298.

The County Recorder charges $15 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. Recording a 2-page revocable transfer on death deed in Napa County comes to $93, which is $18 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

Napa County · Recorder-County Clerk · John Tuteur

Address

1127 First Street, Suite ANapa, CA 94559Mailing: P.O. Box 298, Napa, CA 94559-0298

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM (recording)
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$15
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 Napa County

FirmFairfield, CA

California Will & Trust

Serves 3 counties

Serves Solano County from Fairfield, taking estates through the county's probate court. Works with executors on probate administration and the duties and personal liability that come with the role, and with successor trustees on trust administration after a death; also handles conservatorships and guardianships. Meetings are available in person or by video.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
1125 Missouri Street, Suite 207Fairfield, CA 94533
Virtual consultations

Solo PracticeNapa, CA

Celaya Law

Serves 16 counties

Napa estate planning and elder law practice led by Anthony Celaya, with offices across California from Santa Rosa and Sacramento to Los Angeles and San Diego. Handles probate and estate administration and Medi-Cal planning alongside trusts, wills, and incapacity planning. Clients are served in person or through virtual consultations, and the initial consultation is free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
960 School St.Napa, CA 94559
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmSan Francisco, CA

Harrington Law, P.C.

Since 2009 · Serves 5 counties

Bay Area trusts and estates practice serving San Francisco and the North Bay from offices in San Francisco and Sonoma. Attorney Amy Harrington handles trust and probate administration, conservatorships, and will and trust contests, and is frequently appointed to serve as administrator, trustee, partition referee, and receiver.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
One Embarcadero, Suite 1200San Francisco, CA 94111

Solo PracticePetaluma, CA

Law Office of Andrew Kern

Serves 3 counties

Petaluma solo practice serving Sonoma, Marin, and Napa Counties with probate representation, trust administration, and estate planning, alongside bankruptcy and tax debt work. Andrew Kern has over 30 years of California legal experience, quotes a flat fee after a free initial consultation, and answers his own phone.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateBankruptcy

Office
755 Baywood Drive, Floor 2Petaluma, CA 94954
Free consultation

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

FirmCorona, CA

Holstrom, Block & Parke, APLC

Serves 7 counties

Corona-headquartered firm with offices in San Diego, Newport Beach, Glendale, and San Francisco, plus satellite offices in Riverside, Temecula, Vista, and Roseville. Through its Sandoval Legacy Group division it handles probate and trust administration, conservatorships, will contests and fiduciary disputes, elder law, and special needs planning. Offers a free phone consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 8 more

Office
1897 California Ave, Suite 102Corona, CA 92881
Free consultationVirtual consultations
See all 32 firms serving Napa 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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