Estate Planning for Santa Barbara, California Property Owners

For most Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Superior Court - Anacapa Division. The two tools that keep a Santa Barbara 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, Santa Barbara County property passes through the Superior Court - Anacapa 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 Santa Barbara County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Santa Barbara County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor Joseph E. Holland, at 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Phone: (805) 568-2250. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

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

Santa Barbara County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile/CSC.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk-Recorder

Santa Barbara County · County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor · Joseph E. Holland

Address

1100 Anacapa StreetSanta Barbara, CA 93101

Hours

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

E-recording

Available via Simplifile/CSC
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 July 13, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Santa Barbara County

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

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

FirmSanta Barbara, CA

Rogers, Sheffield & Campbell, LLP

Since 1973 · Serves 4 counties

Santa Barbara firm serving the Central Coast and Los Angeles area since 1973, representing individuals, families, and fiduciaries in probate and trust administration and in will and trust contests across Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties. Over 160 years of combined trust and estate administration experience.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
427 East Carrillo StreetSanta Barbara, CA 93101

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

FirmOxnard, CA

Kaiden Elder Law Group, PC

Serves 4 counties

Represents executors and successor trustees through probate and trust administration across Los Angeles, Ventura, and Kern Counties, from offices in Oxnard, Valencia, Bakersfield, and West Los Angeles. It litigates will contests, trust disputes, and financial elder abuse, and handles Medi-Cal planning. Its principal attorney is a State Bar certified specialist in probate and trust law.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 9 more

Office
1000 Town Center Dr, Suite 300Oxnard, CA 93036
Virtual consultations

FirmBakersfield, CA

Klein DeNatale Goldner

Since 1953 · Serves 5 counties

Bakersfield firm serving Kern County and the San Joaquin Valley since 1953, with offices in Fresno, Pasadena, Encinitas, and Santa Barbara. Handles probate and estate administration, including for personal representatives living outside California, plus trust administration and probate and trust disputes. Practice group leader Nancy L. Oehler is a certified specialist in trust and probate law.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 7 more

Office
10000 Stockdale Hwy, Suite 200Bakersfield, CA 93311
See all 34 firms serving Santa Barbara 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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