All California deed types — grant, quitclaim, interspousal, transfer-on-death, trust transfer, affidavit of death, lot line adjustment, easement, and lot merger — prepared and recorded by a registered LDA with 16 years of mortgage and real estate experience. From $250 including notarization at my office.
Get StartedA deed is the document that proves who owns a piece of California real estate. The wrong vesting language, the wrong legal description, or a deed that never gets recorded can create real problems years later — title clouds, probate complications, mortgage refinancing delays, and family disputes that didn't need to happen. Conversely, the right deed, prepared correctly and recorded with the county, is one of the most useful pieces of paper in any homeowner's life.
My 16 years as a mortgage lender and inactive California real estate broker license mean I've spent more time inside deeds than most attorneys. I know what title companies look for, what county recorders reject, and what vesting language causes problems down the line.
The standard California deed used to transfer ownership of real property between parties. The "grantor" (current owner) transfers ownership to the "grantee" (new owner), with an implied warranty that the grantor actually holds the title being transferred. Used for most arm's-length sales as well as many family transfers.
Transfers whatever interest the grantor has — without warranting that there's a clear title. Commonly used for transfers between family members, into a trust, or to remove someone's name from a property (e.g., after a divorce). A quitclaim doesn't make the title cleaner; it just moves whatever interest exists. If you don't know which deed is right for your situation, ask — we can talk through what fits.
A specific quitclaim variant used between spouses. Often used when one spouse takes a home as separate property, after a marriage, or as part of an uncontested divorce. The interspousal deed has tax advantages — it's not treated as a "change in ownership" for property tax reassessment purposes under California's Prop 13.
California's transfer-on-death deed lets you name a beneficiary who automatically inherits your real property when you pass — without a trust and without probate. It's revocable while you're alive, and only takes effect at death. A TOD deed is a useful alternative to a full living trust for clients whose only real-property concern is what happens to their house. Note: TOD deeds work for residential property of 1–4 units; they don't cover all property types.
Moves real property into or out of a revocable living trust. This is the deed that actually funds a living trust — without it, the trust doesn't own the house, and the house still goes through probate. If you have a trust but never recorded a deed transferring your property into it, fixing that is one of the most important things you can do for your family.
When a co-owner of California real estate dies, an Affidavit of Death (combined with the death certificate, recorded with the county) removes them from title and confirms the surviving owner's sole ownership. This works when the property was held in a form that survives death — joint tenancy with right of survivorship, community property with right of survivorship, or property held in a trust where the surviving spouse is also a trustee. The Affidavit of Death is one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to clear up title after a death.
For boundary changes between adjacent parcels. Used when neighbors agree to redraw a property line — typically requires both county approval and recorded deeds reflecting the new boundaries. I prepare the deed; the underlying lot line adjustment approval comes from the county planning department.
Grants or releases a limited right to use a portion of land — for utility lines, shared driveways, drainage, access across a neighbor's property, and similar arrangements. Easement deeds need precise legal descriptions of the easement area; small mistakes can cause disputes between neighbors for decades. I prepare easement deeds with the legal description, the rights being granted, and any conditions clearly spelled out.
Combines two or more adjacent parcels into a single legal lot. Used when an owner of multiple adjacent lots wants them treated as one — often for development, financing, or simplifying tax assessments. Like the lot line adjustment, the underlying merger approval comes from the county; I prepare the deed that reflects the new combined parcel.
Not a deed itself, but the form the County Assessor requires anytime ownership of real estate changes. I always prepare the PCOR alongside the deed for every transfer — with the correct Prop 13/Prop 19 exclusion claimed. Most DIYers forget this step and accidentally trigger a property tax reassessment.
$250 per deed for: Grant, Quitclaim, Interspousal Transfer, Transfer-on-Death, Trust Transfer, and Affidavit of Death.
$350 per deed for: Lot Line Adjustment, Easement, and Lot Merger deeds (these require additional legal-description work).
Every deed includes document preparation with correct legal description and vesting, notarization at my Stockton office, the PCOR with the correct exclusion claimed, and recording with the appropriate County Recorder.
County recording fees are paid separately to the county. Typical San Joaquin County rates: $30 for owner-occupied transfers, $100 for non-owner-occupied transfers, $100 Deed of Trust, $200 Reconveyance. Other counties charge their own rates.
I'm one of the few Stockton-area LDAs approved for Simplifile eRecording (a three-month vetting process). I can submit deeds electronically to most California counties — which typically gets your deed recorded within days instead of the weeks it takes through mail-in or in-person submission. For time-sensitive transfers (closings, refinances, post-death cleanup), this is a real advantage.
We talk through what you're trying to accomplish, what deed type fits, who the parties are, and what property is involved. Usually 15–30 minutes by phone.
I'll need the property address, parcel number, current title vesting, and identifying info for the parties. I can help you locate any of this from the county records if needed.
I prepare the deed and PCOR, typically within a few business days.
Signing happens at my office. I provide the notary service so you don't need to find one separately.
I file the deed with the relevant County Recorder (San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sacramento, or wherever the property sits). You get a copy of the recorded deed for your records.
Tell me what you're trying to accomplish. I'll let you know which deed fits and what it'll cost — at no charge for the conversation.
Contact Terri