Estate Planning for Nevada County, California Property Owners

For most Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada 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.

Skipping this planning step means the Superior Court - Civil Division 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.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Nevada County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Nevada County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by Clerk-Recorder Armando Salud-Ambriz, at 950 Maidu Avenue, Suite 210, Nevada City, CA 95959. Phone: (530) 265-1221. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The County Clerk-Recorder charges $15 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. A 2-page revocable transfer on death deed costs $93 to record in Nevada County, 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 Clerk-Recorder

Nevada County · Clerk-Recorder · Armando Salud-Ambriz

Address

950 Maidu Avenue, Suite 210Nevada City, CA 95959

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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 Nevada County

FirmGrass Valley, CA

Aanestad Law

Serves 4 counties

Serves Nevada County from Grass Valley, with clients in Nevada City, Penn Valley, Auburn, Colfax, Marysville, and Yuba City. Handles probate and trust administration after a death, estate and trust litigation, and elder law and Medi-Cal planning alongside estate planning. Erik and Tiffani Aanestad practice as a husband-and-wife attorney team, and the initial estate planning consultation is free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
430 South Auburn StreetGrass Valley, CA 95945
Free consultation

Solo PracticeCedar Ridge, CA

Jennifer L. Wilkerson, A Professional Corporation

Serves 2 counties

Cedar Ridge attorney near Grass Valley serving Nevada and Placer Counties with trust administration, trustee accountings, and probate estate administration. Jennifer Wilkerson has been a California attorney since 1983, and the office concentrates on administering estates and trusts of $1,000,000 or more.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateSpecial Needs Planning

Office
P.O. Box 142Cedar Ridge, CA 95924

FirmSacramento, CA

Northern California Center for Estate Planning & Elder Law

Since 1987 · Serves 7 counties

Sacramento and Roseville firm serving Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, Nevada, and Yuba-Sutter Counties with trust administration, probate, Medi-Cal planning, and long-term care planning since 1987. Founder Timothy Murphy is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans with benefits claims. Offers a free initial telephone call.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationElder Lawand 4 more

Office
2277 Fair Oaks Blvd, Ste 320Sacramento, CA 95825
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmSan Francisco, CA

Cappelloni Law PC

Since 2018 · Serves the whole state

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
315 Montgomery Street, Suite 960San Francisco, CA 94104
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmSan Rafael, CA

CunninghamLegal

Serves the whole state

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
899 Northgate Drive, Suite 307San Rafael, CA 94903
Free consultationVirtual consultations

Solo PracticeSan Diego, CA

Casiano Law Firm

Serves the whole state

Serves San Diego County and Southern California from Newport Avenue in San Diego, centered on probate and trust disputes. Handles probate and trust administration, contested wills and accountings, trustee removal, and breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims, plus elder law and Medi-Cal planning. Vincent M. Casiano is a State Bar certified specialist; the first 30-minute consultation is free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 6 more

Office
4967 Newport Avenue, Suite 12-172San Diego, CA 92107
Free consultation
See all 27 firms serving Nevada 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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