Estate Planning for Tuolumne County, California Property Owners

For most Tuolumne 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 Tuolumne 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 Tuolumne County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County 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 Tuolumne County

A revocable transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Tuolumne County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County 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 →Tuolumne Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Tuolumne County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by Assessor-Recorder Kaenan Whitman, at 2 South Green Street, Third Floor, Sonora, CA 95370. Phone: (209) 533-5531. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; walk-in/recording counter until 3:30 PM.

The County 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 Tuolumne 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 Recorder

Tuolumne County · Assessor-Recorder · Kaenan Whitman

Address

2 South Green Street, Third FloorSonora, CA 95370

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; walk-in/recording counter until 3:30 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 July 13, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Tuolumne County

Solo PracticeSonora, CA

Tamara M. Polley, J.D., L.L.M.

Serves 1 county

Sonora attorney serving Tuolumne County and the Mother Lode with probate, trust administration, and long-term care planning. Tamara Polley is a certified specialist in Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law designated by the California State Bar's Board of Legal Specialization, and focuses on special needs trusts and Medi-Cal and veterans benefit eligibility.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
242 S. Washington StreetSonora, CA 95370

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

FirmMurphys, CA

MeyerPink Law

Serves 5 counties

Murphys firm with offices in Sonora and Modesto, serving Calaveras, Tuolumne, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Merced Counties with probate and trust administration alongside estate planning. Appears regularly in the Calaveras County Superior Court in San Andreas. Founding partner Jay Pink is an attorney, CFP, and CPA.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
90 Big Trees Road, Suite DMurphys, CA 95247
Free consultationVirtual consultations

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

Solo PracticeRoseville, CA

Sanborn Law

Since 2006 · Serves 13 counties

Roseville firm handling probate and decedent estate administration, including ancillary probate, plus trust administration, conservatorships, and litigation in those areas — will contests and beneficiary disputes. Marlene Sanborn, a retired Air Force flight engineer, opened the firm in 2006 and has practiced law in California since 1998.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
2998 Douglas Blvd, Suite 305Roseville, CA 95661
Free consultation

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 Tuolumne 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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