Estate Planning for Sacramento, California Property Owners

For most Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 - Probate 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 Sacramento County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Sacramento County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by County Clerk-Recorder Florence Evans, at 3636 American River Drive, Suite 110, Sacramento, CA 95864. Phone: (916) 874-6334. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

The County Clerk-Recorder charges $20 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. A 2-page revocable transfer on death deed costs $98 to record in Sacramento County, which is $23 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.

Sacramento County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile/CSC.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk-Recorder

Sacramento County · County Clerk-Recorder · Florence Evans

Address

3636 American River Drive, Suite 110Sacramento, CA 95864

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

E-recording

Available via Simplifile/CSC
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$20
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 Sacramento County

Solo PracticeElk Grove, CA

Huber Law Group, P.C.

Since 2004 · Serves 3 counties

Elk Grove and Sacramento trust and estate practice representing executors, trustees, and beneficiaries through probate and trust administration and in probate litigation, trust and will contests, and financial elder abuse claims. Founder Jonathan Huber has been a State Bar of California certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law since 2013. No-cost initial consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
9401 E Stockton Blvd., Ste. 210Elk Grove, CA 95624
Free consultation

FirmSacramento, CA

Law Offices of Daniel A. Hunt

Serves 3 counties

Sacramento firm with additional offices in Folsom and Roseville, covering estate planning, trust administration, probate, conservatorships, and trust and estate litigation. Founder Daniel Hunt is a State Bar of California Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Offers no-cost initial consultations by phone, video, or in person.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
798 University AvenueSacramento, CA 95825
Free consultationVirtual consultations

Solo PracticeDavis, CA

Marissa Sirota Law, PLC

Serves 3 counties

Davis attorney serving Yolo, Sacramento, and Solano Counties with probate and trust administration alongside estate planning. Represents people appointed — or seeking appointment — as personal representatives, executors, trustees, and administrators. Marissa Sirota is a California-certified mediator and a former civil litigation trial lawyer.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
510 4th St.Davis, CA 95616

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

FirmDavis, CA

Pakpour Banks LLP

Since 2019 · Serves 7 counties

Davis firm serving Yolo, Sacramento, Solano, Placer, Colusa, El Dorado, and Yuba Counties with probate administration and conservatorships alongside estate planning and special needs planning. Keith Banks was previously probate clerk and attorney-unit research assistant at the Yolo Superior Court. Formed in 2019 by the merger of two Yolo County firms.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateConservatorshipSpecial Needs Planning

Office
1712 Picasso Ave, Suite BDavis, CA 95618
Free consultation

Solo PracticeRoseville, CA

Sanborn Law

Since 2006 · Serves 13 counties

Roseville firm handling probate and decedent estate administration, including ancillary probate, plus trust administration, conservatorships, and litigation in those areas — will contests and beneficiary disputes. Marlene Sanborn, a retired Air Force flight engineer, opened the firm in 2006 and has practiced law in California since 1998.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
2998 Douglas Blvd, Suite 305Roseville, CA 95661
Free consultation
See all 35 firms serving Sacramento 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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