Estate Planning for Orange County, California Property Owners

For most Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange 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, Orange 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 Orange County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Orange County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen, at 601 North Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Phone: (714) 834-2500. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

The County Clerk-Recorder charges $12 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. Recording a 2-page revocable transfer on death deed in Orange County comes to $90, which is $15 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.

Orange County accepts electronic recording through SECURE (multi-county ERDS shared with Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego).

Recording Office Record

County Clerk-Recorder

Orange County · County Clerk-Recorder · Hugh Nguyen

Address

601 North Ross StreetSanta Ana, CA 92701

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

E-recording

Available via SECURE (multi-county ERDS shared with Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego)
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$12
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 Orange County

FirmVentura, CA

Burris Law

Serves 2 counties

Ventura office of a firm headquartered in Orange, representing administrators and executors through Ventura County probate — collecting assets, publishing notice to creditors, and selling estate property — alongside post-death trust administration. Also drafts revocable trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and special needs trusts.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
300 East Santa Clara Street, Suite 101Ventura, CA 93001

FirmAnaheim, CA

Czech & Howell, APC

Serves 1 county

Anaheim firm handling Orange County probate administration for executors and personal representatives: court filings and deadlines, locating and appraising estate assets, resolving debts and liabilities, and estate tax compliance. It also litigates contested wills and beneficiary disputes, and offers a free consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 more

Office
2400 E Katella Ave, Ste 370Anaheim, CA 92806
Free consultation

FirmSan Bernardino, CA

Fullerton, Lemann, Schaefer & Dominick, LLP

Since 1948 · Serves 4 counties

Serves San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles counties from San Bernardino, with three Orange County and desert offices. Handles probate and trust administration, will contests and trust disputes, guardianships, conservatorships, and elder abuse claims. Thomas W. Dominick chairs the trusts and estates department and is a State Bar certified specialist; the firm dates to 1948.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
1809 S Commercenter WestSan Bernardino, CA 92408
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmLos Angeles, CA

Gifford, Dearing & Abernathy, LLP

Serves 2 counties

Downtown Los Angeles firm on South Figueroa Street representing executors and trustees in the county's probate court. Handles probate and trust administration — filing the will, valuing assets, paying taxes and debts, locating beneficiaries — plus contested probate and trust matters and conservatorships. Administering trusts for more than 60 years; consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
515 South Figueroa Street, Suite 2060Los Angeles, CA 90071
Free consultation

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

Solo PracticeRiverside, CA

Jones Legal, Inc

Serves 4 counties

Riverside practice focused on probate across Southern California and the Inland Empire, including large estates, spousal property petitions, out-of-state probate, and summary procedures for smaller estates. Serves Anaheim, Chino Hills, Claremont, Fullerton, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, Santa Ana, and Upland. Offers free consultations, virtual consultations, and remote case management.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
4210 Riverwalk Pkwy, Suite 330Riverside, CA 92505
Free consultationVirtual consultations
See all 48 firms serving Orange 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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