Estate Planning for San Bernardino, California Property Owners

For most San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Recorder-Clerk, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino County

A revocable transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives San Bernardino County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Recorder-Clerk 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 →San Bernardino Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for San Bernardino County are recorded with the County Recorder-Clerk, led by Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk Josie Gonzales, at 222 West Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415. Phone: (909) 387-8306. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

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

San Bernardino County accepts electronic recording through SECURE / ERDS (administered by Orange County).

Recording Office Record

County Recorder-Clerk

San Bernardino County · Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk · Josie Gonzales

Address

222 West Hospitality Lane, 1st FloorSan Bernardino, CA 92415

Hours

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

E-recording

Available via SECURE / ERDS (administered by Orange County)E-recording info →
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 San Bernardino County

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

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

Solo PracticeSan Bernardino, CA

Law Office of Antoniette Jauregui

Serves 4 counties

San Bernardino office at the Commercenter West complex, with a second office in Riverside, serving clients across the High Desert, Inland Empire, and greater Los Angeles. Handles probate, will contests, trust litigation, and estate planning, alongside related real estate disputes such as quiet title and partition actions. Bilingual intake and on-site notary service.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 more

Office
1894 Commercenter W, Ste 108San Bernardino, CA 92408
Free consultation

Solo PracticeUpland, CA

Law Office of Howard S. Borenstein

Serves 4 counties

Serves San Bernardino County from Upland, along with Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties. Represents families on probate administration, trust administration after a death, asset allocation, and estate tax minimization. Howard Borenstein is a State Bar certified specialist in taxation law, and the initial phone consultation is free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planning

Office
299 W Foothill Blvd, #270Upland, CA 91786
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmVictorville, CA

Law Offices of Caldwell, Kennedy & Porter, APC

Since 1986 · Serves 1 county

High Desert firm in Victorville, serving San Bernardino County clients since 1986. Guides families through probate after a death, including will authentication, asset accounting, creditor and heir notice, and will contests, and prepares wills, trusts, and charitable gifts. Probate consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigation

Office
15476 W. Sand StreetVictorville, CA 92392
Free consultation
See all 42 firms serving San Bernardino 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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