Schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys to discuss your estate planning needs and create a plan that suits your family’s goals.
Not always. But in California, a trust is often the best way to avoid probate.
Estate planning is about control, not wealth. A simple plan can still make a big impact.
You could — but I’ve seen families suffer from small mistakes that could’ve been avoided with personal guidance.
Your houses have already been transferred to the trust with the Grant Deeds. For financial accounts (like bank or brokerage accounts), contact each institution and complete their “trust transfer” form to name your spouse as primary and the trust as secondary beneficiary.
No. Most lenders do not require notification when transferring property into a revocable living trust, so your loan remains unchanged.
No. Recording a Grant Deed into your Trust does not close your loan or require refinancing. Lenders are familiar with these transfers.
- Title insurance: Usually remains valid. Contact your title company to confirm.
- Homeowner’s insurance: Notify your provider and add the Trust as an “additional insured” or “named insured.”
No need to wait. You can add the Trust now.
No. Under California law, as long as the transfer is into your revocable trust and you remain the beneficiary, there is no reassessment or tax increase.
- You do not retitle these accounts in the name of the Trust.
- You can keep your spouse as the primary beneficiary. Depending on whether you want a structured distribution, choose either your children or the trust for the contingent beneficiary.
- You can keep the spouse as primary.
- For secondary, naming the Trust gives more control over how and when your children receive funds. Naming the children means they receive the funds directly.
Most institutions only need the Certification of Trust, which is included in your estate planning package (right before the Wills).
Yes, that’s common unless supplemental information is needed. It’s normal to leave it blank when it doesn’t apply.
