Estate Planning for Shasta County, California Property Owners

For most Shasta 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.

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

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Shasta 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 Shasta County

A revocable transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Shasta County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County 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.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Shasta County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by Assessor-Recorder Leslie Morgan, at 1450 Court Street, Suite 208, Redding, CA 96001. Phone: (530) 225-5671. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

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

Shasta County accepts electronic recording.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Shasta County · Assessor-Recorder · Leslie Morgan

Address

1450 Court Street, Suite 208Redding, CA 96001

Hours

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

E-recording

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

Verified July 13, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Shasta County

Solo PracticeRed Bluff, CA

John Murray Law

Serves 2 counties

Red Bluff and Redding offices serving Shasta and Tehama County executors and successor trustees, through court probate and through trust administration outside of probate, including disputes that arise in the probate process. The practice also handles wills, powers of attorney, and planning to limit estate taxes.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
2150 N. Main St., Unit 10Red Bluff, CA 96080
Free consultation

FirmRedding, CA

Law Office of Parker & Cox, P.C.

Serves 1 county

Redding firm serving Shasta County with trust administration and probate and small estate administration alongside estate planning and conservatorships. DeAnne Parker is a California Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts, and Probate Law, and Alan Cox is a Redding native with more than two decades in practice in the North State.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorship

Office
1824 West Street, Suite 2Redding, CA 96001
Free consultation

Solo PracticeRedding, CA

Law Offices of Presleigh & Arel

Since 1967 · Serves 1 county

Redding office serving Shasta County and the northern Sacramento Valley with probate administration and trust administration alongside wills, trusts, and advance directives. Justin Arel sits on the Shasta-Trinity Counties Bar Association probate law committee. Complimentary initial consultation for new estate planning clients.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
1290 West StreetRedding, CA 96001
Free consultation

FirmRed Bluff, CA

McCarthy & Rubright, LLP

Since 1976 · Serves 2 counties

Red Bluff firm serving Tehama and Shasta Counties since 1976, originally Hedlund & McCarthy. Handles trust administration, probate, and decedent's estate administration for estates of all sizes, from smaller estates eligible for expedited administration to large, complex estates requiring litigation.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
100 Rio StreetRed Bluff, CA 96080

Solo PracticeRedding, CA

The Law Offices of Campbell, Clark & Vienneau

Since 1990 · Serves 1 county

Serves Shasta County from Redding. Handles probate administration, trust administration, conservatorships, and trust and probate litigation, including special needs trusts and Medi-Cal planning. Practicing in Redding since 1990; led by Managing Partner Margarita Vienneau, a former Shasta County prosecutor.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate Litigationand 4 more

Office
1648 Riverside DriveRedding, CA 96001

Solo PracticeRedding, CA

Legacy Legal Group PC

Redding practice on Eureka Way handling Shasta County probate — the collection, management, and distribution of a decedent's estate through the court — plus living trusts, wills, and business law, with a second California office in Costa Mesa and a Middle Tennessee office in Brentwood. Attorney Douglas A. Wright publishes his fees, including flat-fee small-estate probate.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness Law

Office
2124 Eureka WayRedding, CA 96001
See all 34 firms serving Shasta 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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