Estate Planning & Probate in Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara County estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in it. Start with your situation below; both paths use Santa Barbara County's actual court and recording details.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the Superior Court - Anacapa Division, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in Santa Barbara County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Santa Barbara County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Santa Barbara County→The Probate Process in Santa Barbara County
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Santa Barbara, probate runs through the Superior Court - Anacapa Division at 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara. Probate e-filing in Santa Barbara County goes through santabarbara.courts.ca.gov, a county-specific system.
Full Santa Barbara Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Superior Court - Anacapa Division
Santa Barbara County
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk-Recorder
Santa Barbara County · County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor · Joseph E. Holland
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
$14 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page; a 2-page TOD deed records for $92; TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax.
Full recording details →Verified July 13, 2026 · Source
Local Procedures at the Superior Court - Anacapa Division
The Superior Court - Anacapa Division schedules probate hearings South County: Thursdays 9:00 AM (Dept SB 5, Anacapa). North County: Mondays 8:30 AM (Dept SM 4), Tuesdays 9:00 AM (Dept SM 2), Wednesdays 8:30 AM (Dept SM 1), Cook Division, Santa Maria.
Documents submitted later than 5:00 PM, three (3) court days prior to the hearing date, may not be considered. South County probate hearings: Thursdays 9:00 AM in Department SB 5 (Anacapa Division, Santa Barbara).
California Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Santa Barbara County.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
