Estate Planning for Tehama County, California Property Owners

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

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Tehama County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Tehama County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by County Clerk & Recorder Jennifer A. Vise, at 633 Washington Street, Room 11, Red Bluff, CA 96080. Phone: (530) 527-3350. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (closed 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM); Recording hours 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The County Clerk-Recorder charges $14 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. Recording a 2-page revocable transfer on death deed in Tehama 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 Clerk-Recorder

Tehama County · County Clerk & Recorder · Jennifer A. Vise

Address

633 Washington Street, Room 11Red Bluff, CA 96080

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (closed 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM); Recording hours 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

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Tehama County

FirmRed Bluff, CA

Albright & Jones

Since 2015 · Serves 1 county

Red Bluff general practice serving Tehama County, with an estate practice covering trusts, wills, trust administration, and probate. Planning work is aimed at keeping health care and end-of-life decisions on record and minimizing conflicts among heirs. Dennis Albright has practiced in Tehama County since 1973 and formed the partnership with Nathan Jones in 2015.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
715 Madison StRed Bluff, CA 96080

Solo PracticeRed Bluff, CA

John Murray Law

Serves 2 counties

Red Bluff and Redding offices serving Shasta and Tehama County executors and successor trustees, through court probate and through trust administration outside of probate, including disputes that arise in the probate process. The practice also handles wills, powers of attorney, and planning to limit estate taxes.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
2150 N. Main St., Unit 10Red Bluff, CA 96080
Free consultation

Solo PracticeRed Bluff, CA

Law Office of Cheryl A. Forbes

Since 2011 · Serves 1 county

Red Bluff firm focused on estate planning, probate, and trust administration in Tehama County. Handles probate, small-estate administration, and trust administration after a death, and prepares trusts, wills, durable financial powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. Cheryl A. Forbes established the practice in 2011 and has been an attorney for 30 years; consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
349 Pine StreetRed Bluff, CA 96080
Free consultation

FirmRed Bluff, CA

McCarthy & Rubright, LLP

Since 1976 · Serves 2 counties

Red Bluff firm serving Tehama and Shasta Counties since 1976, originally Hedlund & McCarthy. Handles trust administration, probate, and decedent's estate administration for estates of all sizes, from smaller estates eligible for expedited administration to large, complex estates requiring litigation.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
100 Rio StreetRed Bluff, CA 96080

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

Brett A. Gilman Attorney at Law

Since 1993 · Serves 3 counties

Solo Chico practice serving Butte County and nearby Oroville, Paradise, Willows, and Red Bluff. Brett A. Gilman has been in private practice since 1993 and now focuses entirely on probate, wills, trusts, and estate planning, handling every client file himself. Document preparation is billed at $250 per hour.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbate

Office
140 Yellowstone Drive, Suite 120Chico, CA 95973
Virtual consultations
See all 34 firms serving Tehama 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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