Probate and Recording Deeds in Stanislaus County (Modesto), California
Where to file a will or open probate, and where to record a deed, in Stanislaus County (Modesto) — with the state rules that apply.
Probate court
Superior Court of California, County of Stanislaus - Probate (Probate Unit, Civil Clerk's Office)
Address: 801 - 10th Street, Fourth Floor, Modesto, CA
Recording deeds
Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder
Recording fee: First page $14.00; each additional page or fraction thereof $3.00; each combined document $14.00; Building Homes and Jobs Act $75.00 (unless exempt); Fraud Fee $3.00 on listed documents; $3.00 per page surcharge for non-8.5x11 pages (2026 fee schedule) Fee schedule
California rules that apply
| Small estate affidavit | Personal property (such as bank accounts and stocks) can be collected with a small estate affidavit if the gross value of the person's California real and personal property is $208,850 or less (deaths on or after April 1, 2025; $184,500 for deaths April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2025; $166,250 for earlier deaths) and at least 40 days have passed since the death. Cars, boats, mobile homes, out-of-state real estate, trust property, joint tenancy property, property passing to a surviving spouse, assets paid to named beneficiaries, multi-owner accounts, and up to $20,875 of unpaid wages are not counted. Debts and mortgages are not subtracted. No probate case can be open unless the personal representative consents. The affidavit is used for personal property, not real estate; notarization is not legally required but many institutions ask for it. Dollar limits are adjusted every three years; the next adjustment is scheduled for April 1, 2028. Check form DE-300 for the current figures. |
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| Probate steps | Formal probate usually takes 9 to 18 months. (1) File a Petition for Probate (DE-111) in the county where the person lived (or where California property is, for non-residents) and pay the filing fee (typically $435) or request a fee waiver; (2) another adult mails notice of the hearing to heirs and beneficiaries, and notice is published in a newspaper; (3) at the hearing the judge appoints the executor or administrator and letters are issued; (4) give notice to creditors (Notice of Administration to Creditors, DE-157) and pay valid debts; (5) file an Inventory and Appraisal (DE-160), with non-cash assets usually valued by a probate referee; (6) handle final tax returns; (7) file a final report, account (unless waived) and petition for final distribution, and attend the closing hearing. |
| Signing and recording a deed | A deed must be in writing and signed by the owner (or an agent authorized in writing). To be recorded, a grant deed or quitclaim deed must be acknowledged before a notary; proof by a subscribing witness is not allowed for deeds. Deeds are recorded with the county recorder. Counties (and some cities) may charge a documentary transfer tax (county rate $0.55 per $500 of value when consideration exceeds $100), and the new owner generally must file a change in ownership statement (Preliminary Change of Ownership Report) with the county recorder or assessor. City transfer tax rates vary. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
| Transfer-on-death deed | Yes. A revocable transfer on death deed can pass residential property to named beneficiaries at death. It must be signed and dated by the owner, signed by two witnesses who were present at the same time, notarized, and recorded with the county recorder within 60 days after it was notarized. It does not need to be delivered to or accepted by the beneficiary during the owner's life. The law sets out the form to use (Prob. Code § 5642). The current TOD deed law is scheduled to expire January 1, 2032 unless extended; deeds signed before then remain valid. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.