Estate Planning for San Luis Obispo, California Property Owners

For most San Luis Obispo 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 Luis Obispo County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Superior Court - Civil & Family Law Branch. The two tools that keep a San Luis Obispo 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 & Family Law Branch 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 San Luis Obispo County

A revocable transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives San Luis Obispo 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 →San Luis Obispo Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for San Luis Obispo County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder at 1055 Monterey Street, Suite D120, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408. Phone: (805) 781-5080. Hours: Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Wednesday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (transaction processing ends 30 min before close).

The County Clerk-Recorder charges $14 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. A 2-page revocable transfer on death deed costs $92 to record in San Luis Obispo County, 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.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk-Recorder

San Luis Obispo County · Clerk-Recorder

Address

1055 Monterey Street, Suite D120San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

Hours

Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Wednesday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (transaction processing ends 30 min before close)
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 Luis Obispo County

FirmSan Luis Obispo, CA

O'Neill & Woolpert

Serves 2 counties

San Luis Obispo firm in an office across from the courthouse, handling probate, trust administration and termination, and post-death asset transfers across the Central Coast from the Five Cities to Santa Maria. Also drafts special needs trusts and handles conservatorships. Free consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
1014 Palm StreetSan Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Free consultation

FirmSan Luis Obispo, CA

Toews Bio & Abram, Inc.

Serves 3 counties

San Luis Obispo firm handling probate, estate settlement, and trust administration on the Central Coast. Prepares the petitions, accountings, and statutory notices a probate requires and advises executors and administrators on their duties. Every attorney in the firm is a certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law; fees are quoted as a flat fee or a budget.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
1212 Marsh St, Suite 3San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

FirmSanta Barbara, CA

Botti Law Group, Ltd.

Serves 5 counties

Serves Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Kern, and Los Angeles counties, with six Central Coast and Southern California offices. Handles probate and trust administration, conservatorships, guardianships, and will and trust disputes, alongside estate planning and Medi-Cal planning. Christopher Botti is a State Bar board certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 7 more

Office
351 Paseo NuevoSanta Barbara, CA 93101
Free consultation

FirmVentura, CA

Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP

Since 1982 · Serves 4 counties

Serves Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties from Ventura, with a second office in Westlake Village. The estate group files probate petitions, handles post-death trust administration and trust divisions, and represents heirs, beneficiaries, and fiduciaries in trust and estate litigation. Founded in 1982; John M. Andersen is a State Bar certified specialist.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
1050 South Kimball RoadVentura, CA 93004

FirmFresno, CA

McCormick Barstow LLP

Serves 6 counties

Fresno firm serving the central San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast from offices in Fresno, Modesto, Visalia, and San Luis Obispo. Its trusts and estates group administers testate and intestate estates and trusts, and represents beneficiaries, fiduciaries, and creditors in probate and trust litigation, will and trust contests, and fiduciary surcharge and removal proceedings.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
7647 N. Fresno StreetFresno, CA 93720

FirmSanta Barbara, CA

Penner & Purves, PC

Serves 3 counties

Santa Barbara firm handling probate, trust administration, and trust litigation across Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo Counties. Guides executors and administrators through probate in approximately 9-10 months. Veteran-owned, with in-person, phone, and virtual consultations and a free initial consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateTrust Litigation

Office
1215 De La Vina St, Suite KSanta Barbara, CA 93101
Free consultationVirtual consultations
See all 31 firms serving San Luis Obispo 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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