Estate Planning for Siskiyou County, California Property Owners

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

A revocable transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Siskiyou 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.

Create a CaliforniaTOD deed →Siskiyou Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Siskiyou County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by Assessor-Recorder Craig S. Kay, at 311 Fourth Street, Room 108, Yreka, CA 96097. Phone: (530) 842-8065. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (closed for lunch).

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 Siskiyou 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.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Siskiyou County · Assessor-Recorder · Craig S. Kay

Address

311 Fourth Street, Room 108Yreka, CA 96097

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (closed for lunch)
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 Siskiyou County

Solo PracticeYreka, CA

Jennifer Shelton Law

Serves 1 county

Yreka attorney serving Yreka, Mount Shasta, Weed, and the rest of Siskiyou County with probate court proceedings and trust administration alongside estate planning, real estate, and business formation. Jennifer Shelton clerked for the Siskiyou County Superior Court for more than a decade before practicing. In-person and remote consultations; the first is free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
305 South St.Yreka, CA 96097
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmMt. Shasta, CA

Kirsher, Winston & Boston, Law Corporation

Serves 1 county

Mount Shasta firm serving Siskiyou County, including Mt. Shasta, Weed, and Yreka, with a second office by appointment near the Yreka courthouse. Attorney Adam Sanders handles estate planning, trust administration, probate, guardianships, and limited and general conservatorships. Siskiyou County's oldest law firm, with over five decades of service; some staff are fluent in Spanish.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
205 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd., Suite 400Mt. Shasta, CA 96067

Solo PracticeYreka, CA

The Law Office of Darrin W. Mercier

Serves 1 county

General practice attorney in Yreka with over 25 years of experience serving Siskiyou County. Estate planning services include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, succession planning, estate tax minimization, probate, and transfer on death deeds.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 more

Office
205 Lane St.Yreka, CA 96097

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

Solo PracticeChico, CA

Law Offices of Daniel H. Alexander, APLC

Since 1996 · Serves 6 counties

Chico practice serving Butte, Plumas, Placer, Sacramento, Lassen, and Glenn counties, with satellite offices in Rocklin, Sacramento, and Lake Almanor. Handles probate for personal representatives, making the court appearances and preparing the pleadings an estate requires, and resolves probate and trust litigation. Daniel Alexander has practiced in these areas since 1996.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigation

Office
901 Bruce Rd, Suite 230Chico, CA 95928

Solo PracticeChico, CA

Ron Marquez Law Corp

Serves 4 counties

General-practice law firm with offices in Chico and Red Bluff serving Butte, Glenn, Tehama, and Yuba Counties. Estate practice covers wills, trusts, and probate — assisting testators, administrators, and beneficiaries — alongside family law and personal injury matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
1370 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 5Chico, CA 95973
See all 30 firms serving Siskiyou 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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