Estate Planning for Yolo County, California Property Owners

For most Yolo 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 Yolo 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 Yolo 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 Court 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 Yolo County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Yolo County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters Jesse Salinas, at 625 Court Street, Room B-01, Woodland, CA 95695. Phone: (530) 666-8130. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 1130, Woodland, CA 95695.

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 Yolo 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.

Yolo County accepts electronic recording through CeRTNA (authorized agents: CSC, eRecording Partners Network, Indecomm Global Services, Nationwide Title Clearing, Simplifile, ValueCheck).

Recording Office Record

County Clerk-Recorder

Yolo County · Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters · Jesse Salinas

Address

625 Court Street, Room B-01Woodland, CA 95695Mailing: P.O. Box 1130, Woodland, CA 95695

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

E-recording

Available via CeRTNA (authorized agents: CSC, eRecording Partners Network, Indecomm Global Services, Nationwide Title Clearing, Simplifile, ValueCheck)E-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

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Yolo County

FirmSacramento, CA

Law Offices of Daniel A. Hunt

Serves 3 counties

Sacramento firm with additional offices in Folsom and Roseville, covering estate planning, trust administration, probate, conservatorships, and trust and estate litigation. Founder Daniel Hunt is a State Bar of California Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Offers no-cost initial consultations by phone, video, or in person.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
798 University AvenueSacramento, CA 95825
Free consultationVirtual consultations

Solo PracticeDavis, CA

Marissa Sirota Law, PLC

Serves 3 counties

Davis attorney serving Yolo, Sacramento, and Solano Counties with probate and trust administration alongside estate planning. Represents people appointed — or seeking appointment — as personal representatives, executors, trustees, and administrators. Marissa Sirota is a California-certified mediator and a former civil litigation trial lawyer.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
510 4th St.Davis, CA 95616

FirmSacramento, CA

Northern California Center for Estate Planning & Elder Law

Since 1987 · Serves 7 counties

Sacramento and Roseville firm serving Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, Nevada, and Yuba-Sutter Counties with trust administration, probate, Medi-Cal planning, and long-term care planning since 1987. Founder Timothy Murphy is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans with benefits claims. Offers a free initial telephone call.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationElder Lawand 4 more

Office
2277 Fair Oaks Blvd, Ste 320Sacramento, CA 95825
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmDavis, CA

Pakpour Banks LLP

Since 2019 · Serves 7 counties

Davis firm serving Yolo, Sacramento, Solano, Placer, Colusa, El Dorado, and Yuba Counties with probate administration and conservatorships alongside estate planning and special needs planning. Keith Banks was previously probate clerk and attorney-unit research assistant at the Yolo Superior Court. Formed in 2019 by the merger of two Yolo County firms.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateConservatorshipSpecial Needs Planning

Office
1712 Picasso Ave, Suite BDavis, CA 95618
Free consultation

Solo PracticeWoodland, CA

Sonin Law, P.C.

Serves 2 counties

Woodland firm with a second Fairfield office serving Yolo and Solano Counties — Davis, Dixon, Vacaville, Rio Vista, and Vallejo — with probate, trust administration, conservatorships, and special needs trusts alongside estate planning and long-term-care planning. Barbara Sonin is a certified specialist in estates, trusts, and probate. Meetings are available by Zoom.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
21 Court StreetWoodland, CA 95695
Virtual consultations

FirmFairfield, CA

California Will & Trust

Serves 3 counties

Serves Solano County from Fairfield, taking estates through the county's probate court. Works with executors on probate administration and the duties and personal liability that come with the role, and with successor trustees on trust administration after a death; also handles conservatorships and guardianships. Meetings are available in person or by video.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
1125 Missouri Street, Suite 207Fairfield, CA 94533
Virtual consultations
See all 33 firms serving Yolo 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.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Legal Sources

Data sourced from California statutes and official state code. How we research.

California Estate Planning Articles

Estate planning articles for California.