Estate Planning for Trinity County, California Property Owners

For most Trinity 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 Trinity 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 Trinity 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 Trinity County

A revocable transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Trinity 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 Trinity County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by County Clerk/Recorder/Assessor Shanna S. White, at 11 Court Street, Weaverville, CA 96093. Phone: (530) 623-1215. Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM).

The County Clerk-Recorder charges $13 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. A 2-page revocable transfer on death deed costs $91 to record in Trinity County, which is $16 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

Trinity County · County Clerk/Recorder/Assessor · Shanna S. White

Address

11 Court StreetWeaverville, CA 96093

Hours

Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM)
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$13
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 Trinity County

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 PracticeEureka, CA

James D. Poovey, Inc.

Serves 4 counties

Serves Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, and Trinity counties from Eureka in wills, trusts, probate, and estate administration, including numerous will and trust contests and other complex probate litigation. James D. Poovey is certified as a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California and is one of only several attorneys so certified in Humboldt County.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
937 6th StreetEureka, CA 95501

FirmEureka, CA

Nielsen Cashman & Dean

Serves 3 counties

Eureka firm serving Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity Counties on the North Coast with probate administration, trust administration, and trust and estate litigation alongside estate planning. Partner Arthur Nielsen is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law by the State Bar of California. Complimentary initial 30-minute meeting or call.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate Litigationand 5 more

Office
2850 Harris StreetEureka, CA 95503
Free consultationVirtual consultations

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

FirmSan Francisco, CA

Cappelloni Law PC

Since 2018 · Serves the whole state

Serves San Francisco and the greater Bay Area from downtown San Francisco, and handles probate proceedings in every California county. Guides executors, administrators, and trustees through probate and trust administration alongside estate planning, billing probate work at California Probate Code statutory rates. Founded in 2018.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
315 Montgomery Street, Suite 960San Francisco, CA 94104
Free consultationVirtual consultations
See all 29 firms serving Trinity 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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