Estate Planning for Ventura County, California Property Owners

For most Ventura 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 Ventura 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 Ventura 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 Ventura County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Ventura County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by County Clerk and Recorder/Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion, at 800 South Victoria Avenue, Main Plaza, Ventura, CA 93009-1260. Phone: (805) 654-3665. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM.

The County Clerk-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 Ventura 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 Clerk-Recorder

Ventura County · County Clerk and Recorder/Registrar of Voters · Michelle Ascencion

Address

800 South Victoria Avenue, Main PlazaVentura, CA 93009-1260

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:45 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 September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Ventura County

FirmOxnard, CA

Arnold LaRochelle Mathews VanConas & Zirbel LLP

Since 1990 · Serves 1 county

Oxnard firm serving Ventura County with probate, trust administration, and elder law alongside estate planning. Litigates will contests, trust challenges, breach of fiduciary duty claims, trustee and executor removal petitions, contested conservatorships, and intestate succession disputes, representing both beneficiaries and fiduciaries. Serving the county since 1990.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
300 E. Esplanade Drive, Suite 2100Oxnard, CA 93036

FirmVentura, CA

Burris Law

Serves 2 counties

Ventura office of a firm headquartered in Orange, representing administrators and executors through Ventura County probate — collecting assets, publishing notice to creditors, and selling estate property — alongside post-death trust administration. Also drafts revocable trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and special needs trusts.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
300 East Santa Clara Street, Suite 101Ventura, CA 93001

FirmVentura, CA

Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP

Since 1982 · Serves 4 counties

Serves Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties from Ventura, with a second office in Westlake Village. The estate group files probate petitions, handles post-death trust administration and trust divisions, and represents heirs, beneficiaries, and fiduciaries in trust and estate litigation. Founded in 1982; John M. Andersen is a State Bar certified specialist.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
1050 South Kimball RoadVentura, CA 93004

FirmOxnard, CA

Kaiden Elder Law Group, PC

Serves 4 counties

Represents executors and successor trustees through probate and trust administration across Los Angeles, Ventura, and Kern Counties, from offices in Oxnard, Valencia, Bakersfield, and West Los Angeles. It litigates will contests, trust disputes, and financial elder abuse, and handles Medi-Cal planning. Its principal attorney is a State Bar certified specialist in probate and trust law.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 9 more

Office
1000 Town Center Dr, Suite 300Oxnard, CA 93036
Virtual consultations

FirmVentura, CA

Law Office of Robert M. Baskin

Serves 3 counties

Ventura firm serving Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles Counties with probating a will, probate litigation, and trust litigation alongside estate planning, conservatorships, and guardianships. Robert M. Baskin was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1975 and has practiced in Ventura for over 40 years. Free initial consultation for new clients.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more

Office
1849 Knoll DriveVentura, CA 93003
Free consultation

Solo PracticeSherman Oaks, CA

Law Offices of Sara Polinsky

Serves 3 counties

Sherman Oaks solo practice serving Los Angeles County plus Ventura and San Bernardino, including the San Fernando, San Gabriel, and Pomona Valleys. Sara Polinsky has practiced exclusively in estate planning and elder law since 1998, handling trust administration, probate, planning for incapacity, and Medi-Cal long-term-care eligibility.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Law

Office
14011 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 212WSherman Oaks, CA 91423
See all 41 firms serving Ventura 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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