Estate Planning for Tulare County, California Property Owners

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

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Tulare County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by Assessor/Clerk-Recorder Tara K. Freitas, at 221 South Mooney Boulevard, Room 103, Visalia, CA 93291. Phone: (559) 636-5050. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Recording/filing transactions 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM; open for questions and research until 5:00 PM.

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 Tulare 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.

Tulare County accepts electronic recording.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk-Recorder

Tulare County · Assessor/Clerk-Recorder · Tara K. Freitas

Address

221 South Mooney Boulevard, Room 103Visalia, CA 93291

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Recording/filing transactions 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM; open for questions and research until 5:00 PM

E-recording

AvailableE-recording info →
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 5, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Tulare County

Solo PracticeVisalia, CA

Law Offices of Heather Pietroforte, APC

Serves 3 counties

Visalia firm serving Tulare County and the Central Valley with probate petitions and court filings, trust administration support for trustees, and estate planning. Also handles special needs planning and Medi-Cal and elder law matters. Free initial call.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
1120 W Main StVisalia, CA 93291
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmVisalia, CA

Law Offices of Sherwood & Marvin, APC

Serves 1 county

Visalia firm serving Tulare County and the Central Valley with probate administration, trust administration, and Medi-Cal planning alongside estate planning. Peter Sherwood is a past president of the Tulare County Bar Association and has contracted as the county's Deputy Public Administrator since 2007.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
1025 North Demaree StreetVisalia, CA 93291

Solo PracticeVisalia, CA

Miller Home Protection Law

Serves 1 county

Visalia practice serving Tulare County and the surrounding Central Valley with revocable living trusts, trust updates, and long-term-care Medi-Cal planning. Attorney Russell C. Miller, admitted in California in 2004, also walks successor trustees and personal representatives through trust administration after a death and through probate when the court is required.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
2340 W. Whitendale Ave., Ste. CVisalia, CA 93277
Free consultation

FirmVisalia, CA

Ruddell Bixler Mauritson Evans & Buss, LLP

Serves 2 counties

Handles trust administration, probate, and trust and estate litigation for families in Tulare and Kings counties from its Visalia office, including estate settlement, appraisal and estate-tax issues, and contested probate matters. It is the oldest continuously practicing firm in Tulare County, with a legal history spanning more than 130 years.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
1102 N. Chinowth StreetVisalia, CA 93291

FirmFresno, CA

Baker Manock & Jensen, PC

Since 1903 · Serves 4 counties

Serves Fresno and the surrounding Central Valley from Fresno, practicing since 1903 with roughly 40 attorneys. The trusts and estates group handles trust and estate administration, trust and estate contests, litigation and appeals, and represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in estate and gift tax audits and disputes.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
5260 N. Palm Ave, Suite 201Fresno, CA 93704

FirmHanford, CA

Griswold, LaSalle, Cobb, Dowd & Gin, LLP

Since 1945 · Serves 3 counties

Hanford firm serving Kings, Fresno, and Tulare Counties since 1945. Files petitions for probate in Kings County Superior Court, guides executors and administrators through estate settlement, advises trustees on trust administration, and litigates will contests and trust disputes. Its 13 attorneys quote estate planning work at flat rates.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
111 E Seventh StHanford, CA 93230
See all 32 firms serving Tulare 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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