Estate Planning for Sutter County, California Property Owners

For most Sutter 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 Sutter 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 Sutter 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 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 Sutter County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Sutter County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters Donna M. Johnston, at 433 Second Street, Yuba City, CA 95991. Phone: (530) 822-7134. Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM (closes 2:30 PM on Wednesdays).

The County Clerk-Recorder charges $15 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. A 2-page revocable transfer on death deed costs $93 to record in Sutter County, 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.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk-Recorder

Sutter County · Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters · Donna M. Johnston

Address

433 Second StreetYuba City, CA 95991

Fax

(530) 822-7214

Hours

Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM (closes 2:30 PM on Wednesdays)
Visit recorder website →

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 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 26, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Sutter County

FirmYuba City, CA

Hyatt McIntire & Associates

Serves 2 counties

Yuba City firm serving Sutter and Yuba County families, helping surviving and successor trustees administer trust-based estates and guiding families through probate administration. Also handles elder law, conservatorship litigation, special needs trusts, tax planning, and business succession. Paulla Hyatt-McIntire is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
950 Tharp Road, Suite 701Yuba City, CA 95993

FirmSacramento, CA

Northern California Center for Estate Planning & Elder Law

Since 1987 · Serves 7 counties

Sacramento and Roseville firm serving Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, Nevada, and Yuba-Sutter Counties with trust administration, probate, Medi-Cal planning, and long-term care planning since 1987. Founder Timothy Murphy is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans with benefits claims. Offers a free initial telephone call.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationElder Lawand 4 more

Office
2277 Fair Oaks Blvd, Ste 320Sacramento, CA 95825
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmGrass Valley, CA

Aanestad Law

Serves 4 counties

Serves Nevada County from Grass Valley, with clients in Nevada City, Penn Valley, Auburn, Colfax, Marysville, and Yuba City. Handles probate and trust administration after a death, estate and trust litigation, and elder law and Medi-Cal planning alongside estate planning. Erik and Tiffani Aanestad practice as a husband-and-wife attorney team, and the initial estate planning consultation is free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
430 South Auburn StreetGrass Valley, CA 95945
Free consultation

Solo PracticeChico, CA

Law Offices of Spencer M. Gysin

Serves 8 counties

Serves Butte County and the northern Sacramento Valley from an office in Chico. Spencer M. Gysin prepares wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives, and handles probate conservatorships for adults who can no longer manage their own affairs. The practice also covers family law and guardianships.

PracticesEstate PlanningConservatorshipGuardianshipLandlord Tenant

Office
1395 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 300Chico, CA 95973

Solo PracticeColusa, CA

Steidlmayer Law

Since 1979 · Serves 2 counties

Colusa firm serving the Sacramento Valley with probate and trust administration alongside estate planning. Guides executors, administrators, and trustees from petition and heir and creditor notices through inventories, accountings, and final distribution orders. Erin Steidlmayer now runs the practice her father-in-law opened in Colusa in 1979; Spanish interpretation is available in the office.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
659 Jay StreetColusa, CA 95932

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
See all 32 firms serving Sutter 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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