Estate Planning for Stanislaus County, California Property Owners

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

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Stanislaus County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters Donna Linder, at 1021 I Street, Modesto, CA 95354. Phone: (209) 525-5250. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 1670, Modesto, CA 95353-1670.

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 Stanislaus 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

Stanislaus County · Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters · Donna Linder

Address

1021 I StreetModesto, CA 95354Mailing: P.O. Box 1670, Modesto, CA 95353-1670

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 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 Stanislaus County

FirmModesto, CA

Broderick Legal Group

Serves 1 county

Serves Stanislaus County from Modesto. Handles litigated and non-litigated probate, trust administration, conservatorships, and guardianships, along with probate and trust litigation. The team is led by a California Board of Legal Specialization certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law, and the office serves Spanish-speaking clients.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
1150 Ninth Street, Suite 1430Modesto, CA 95354

Solo PracticeTurlock, CA

Law Office of Ronald W. Hillberg

Serves 1 county

Turlock solo practice representing families in Stanislaus County probate court and in private trust administration, and defending wills when a probate is contested. Also handles Medi-Cal planning and irrevocable trusts. Ronald W. Hillberg has been a State Bar certified specialist in estate planning, probate and trust law for over 20 years and is a certified elder law attorney.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
630 Crane Avenue, Suite CTurlock, CA 95380

FirmModesto, CA

Leguria Law

Since 2009 · Serves 6 counties

Modesto firm on K Street serving Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Merced, Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Calaveras counties with trust administration and probate alongside wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Founded in 2009 by Gina Leguria, whose own family spent four and a half years in probate court after her father died, it also handles Medi-Cal and special needs planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
1315 K StreetModesto, CA 95354
Free consultation

FirmModesto, CA

Ogden Law Firm, PC

Serves 6 counties

Modesto firm serving Stanislaus, Merced, San Joaquin, Tuolumne, Calaveras, and Fresno Counties with probate administration, trust administration, and estate and gift tax planning alongside wills and trusts. Offers a free consultation on all new probate matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationTax Planning

Office
1535 J St, Ste AModesto, CA 95354
Free consultation

FirmMerced, CA

Berliner Cohen LLP

Serves 5 counties

Serves Merced, Mariposa, and Stanislaus counties from Merced, with offices in San Jose, Modesto, and Mariposa. Represents trustees and executors on full and summary probate, sub-trust funding, fiduciary accountings, estate tax returns, and post-death tax planning, and handles probate, trust, and estate litigation. One of the few firms with a Mariposa County office.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate Litigationand 2 more

Office
548 W. 21st StreetMerced, CA 95340

Solo PracticeMerced, CA

Curry and Curry

Serves 4 counties

Merced practice serving Merced, Mariposa, Stanislaus, and Fresno counties. Advises executors and administrators through probate, from the petition and letters testamentary to collecting assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing to heirs, and handles special needs trusts, Medi-Cal planning, and long-term care planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
728 West 19th StreetMerced, CA 95340
See all 35 firms serving Stanislaus 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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