Estate Planning for Sonoma County, California Property Owners

For most Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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.

Skipping this planning step means the Superior Court - Probate Division decides who receives the property: a simple California probate takes 9+ months and opens with $435 in court 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 Sonoma County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Sonoma County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters Deva Marie Proto, at 585 Fiscal Drive, Room 103, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. Phone: (707) 565-3800. Hours: Monday - Tuesday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Wednesday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Thursday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (no fee transactions or document processing within 30 minutes of closing); phone lines staffed 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The County Clerk-Recorder charges $14 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. A 2-page revocable transfer on death deed costs $92 to record in Sonoma County, 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 Clerk-Recorder

Sonoma County · Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters · Deva Marie Proto

Address

585 Fiscal Drive, Room 103Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Hours

Monday - Tuesday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Wednesday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Thursday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (no fee transactions or document processing within 30 minutes of closing); phone lines staffed 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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 September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Sonoma County

Solo PracticeSanta Rosa, CA

Brockway Law

Serves 1 county

Santa Rosa boutique trust and estate firm serving Sonoma County. Represents trustees, personal representatives, and beneficiaries through probate and trust administration, including accountings and asset disclosures, and litigates trust and estate disputes when they arise. Also drafts revocable trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
415 Russell Ave, Suite ASanta Rosa, CA 95403

Solo PracticeNapa, CA

Celaya Law

Serves 16 counties

Napa estate planning and elder law practice led by Anthony Celaya, with offices across California from Santa Rosa and Sacramento to Los Angeles and San Diego. Handles probate and estate administration and Medi-Cal planning alongside trusts, wills, and incapacity planning. Clients are served in person or through virtual consultations, and the initial consultation is free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
960 School St.Napa, CA 94559
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmSan Francisco, CA

Harrington Law, P.C.

Since 2009 · Serves 5 counties

Bay Area trusts and estates practice serving San Francisco and the North Bay from offices in San Francisco and Sonoma. Attorney Amy Harrington handles trust and probate administration, conservatorships, and will and trust contests, and is frequently appointed to serve as administrator, trustee, partition referee, and receiver.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
One Embarcadero, Suite 1200San Francisco, CA 94111

Solo PracticeSebastopol, CA

Kenneth S. Jacobs, Attorney at Law

Serves 2 counties

Sebastopol solo practitioner serving Sonoma County since 1992, and a State Bar of California Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law since 1998. Handles probate and trust administration after a death alongside living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and elder law. Offers a free initial consultation and video appointments.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateElder Law

Office
117 N. Main StreetSebastopol, CA 95472
Free consultationVirtual consultations

Solo PracticeSanta Rosa, CA

Law Office of Adams & Rafferty, P.C.

Serves 3 counties

Santa Rosa trusts, estates, and elder law practice serving Sonoma County, with offices in Huntington Beach and San Diego. Handles probate, trust administration, and disputed estate and trust matters, including family conflict after a death. Barry Adams is a State Bar certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law and founded the Elder Law Clinic at Empire Law School.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
532 Mendocino Ave, Suite 104Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Solo PracticePetaluma, CA

Law Office of Andrew Kern

Serves 3 counties

Petaluma solo practice serving Sonoma, Marin, and Napa Counties with probate representation, trust administration, and estate planning, alongside bankruptcy and tax debt work. Andrew Kern has over 30 years of California legal experience, quotes a flat fee after a free initial consultation, and answers his own phone.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateBankruptcy

Office
755 Baywood Drive, Floor 2Petaluma, CA 94954
Free consultation
See all 34 firms serving Sonoma 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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