For most Sierra 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 Sierra County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Superior Court. The two tools that keep a Sierra 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, Sierra County property passes through the Superior Court — 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.
A revocable transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Sierra 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.
Deeds and other real property documents for Sierra County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters Heather Foster, at 100 Courthouse Square, Room 11, Downieville, CA 95936. Phone: (530) 289-3295. Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM).
The County Clerk-Recorder charges $15 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. Recording a 2-page revocable transfer on death deed in Sierra County comes to $93, which is $18 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.
Sierra County accepts electronic recording.
Recording Office Record
Sierra County · County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters · Heather Foster
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $15 |
| 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 deed | Exempt |
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 September 4, 2026 · Source
Solo PracticeDownieville, CA
Downieville solo practitioner serving Sierra County, admitted to the California Bar in 1972 and reporting trusts and estates and real estate as practice areas. Handles estate planning and trust and estate administration in the northern Sierra. No firm website; reachable by phone.
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FirmSan Francisco, CA
Serves San Francisco and the greater Bay Area from downtown San Francisco, and handles probate proceedings in every California county. Guides executors, administrators, and trustees through probate and trust administration alongside estate planning, billing probate work at California Probate Code statutory rates. Founded in 2018.
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FirmSan Rafael, CA
Serves Marin County from San Rafael, with offices across Northern and Southern California and statewide service by phone and video. Handles probate, trust administration, and Medi-Cal and elder law matters alongside estate and tax planning. Founder Jim Cunningham heads the San Rafael office and is a State Bar certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.
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Solo PracticeSan Diego, CA
Serves San Diego County and Southern California from Newport Avenue in San Diego, centered on probate and trust disputes. Handles probate and trust administration, contested wills and accountings, trustee removal, and breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims, plus elder law and Medi-Cal planning. Vincent M. Casiano is a State Bar certified specialist; the first 30-minute consultation is free.
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FirmBakersfield, CA
Bakersfield boutique serving Kern and Tulare counties from offices in Bakersfield and Visalia, and probate matters throughout California. Supports executors and administrators through California probate and represents heirs, excluded heirs, and fiduciaries in estate disputes, including will contests, breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims, and trust-distribution litigation.
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FirmSan Diego, CA
San Diego estate, trust, and probate firm in Bankers Hill, with clients throughout California. Guides executors and administrators through probate — identifying assets and debts, paying creditors, distributing to beneficiaries — and handles trust administration, beneficiary representation, fiduciary duty disputes, and conservatorships and guardianships.
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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.
Data sourced from California statutes and official state code. How we research.
Estate planning articles for California.
Forms and tools for property owners in Sierra County.
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Create a free, state-specific will with witness and notarization requirements included.
Transfer assets to your existing trust. State execution requirements included.
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate.
Designate someone to make medical decisions on your behalf.
Designate someone to manage your financial affairs.
Answer questions about your estate size, real estate ownership, marital status, and family situation to see how a revocable trust compares to a will alone. Includes estimated probate costs for your state.
Answer questions about your property type, ownership structure, and estate plan to see if a TOD deed is the right approach. Includes state-specific availability, signing requirements, and recording fees.
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Estate planning articles for California.
