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Estate planning in San Francisco, CA
$1.5M+ median home prices + statutory probate fees + Prop 19 = revocable trusts are almost universal here.
Why this matters in San Francisco
The local angle
San Francisco home prices make California's statutory probate fee structure punishing — fees on a $2M estate are approximately $46K. Almost every SF family with a home that's appreciated should have a revocable trust. Prop 19 also limits the parent-child reassessment exclusion to primary residences only, and only when the child moves in.
Local nuance
SF County Superior Court handles probate; the typical case takes 12-18 months. Tech-equity heirs face additional complexity around RSUs and exercised options.
Top concerns for San Francisco families
- Revocable trust to avoid statutory probate fees
- Prop 19 reassessment trap
- Tech-equity transfer at death
- Community property characterization
California state law
At a glance
San Francisco estate work is governed by California state law. Here's what every family should know.
Statutory fees: 4% of first $100K, 3% next $100K, 2% next $800K, 1% over $1M
Small-estate affidavit (Prob. Code §13100)
No inheritance tax
Spousal rights
Community property state — spouse owns 50% of community assets automatically
Common pitfalls
- CA probate is notoriously slow and expensive — statutory fees apply
- CA Prop 19 (2021) changed property tax transfer rules dramatically
- Heggstad petition can be used for property left out of trust
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Also serving
Other California cities
Los Angeles, CA
California Probate Court is statutory-fee — and inherited Prop-13-protected homes are the family-fight epicenter.
San Diego, CA
California rules apply — but San Diego's military families bring federal estate planning complexity.
San Jose, CA
Tech equity, RSU vesting schedules, and $2M+ homes make Silicon Valley estate planning unusually complex.