To find out whether your living trust is properly funded, review how your major assets are titled and how beneficiary designations are set up. A signed living trust does not automatically establish ownership of your home or financial accounts. A California estate planning attorney can help confirm whether each asset is coordinated with the plan.
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What should I check first?
Start with your home and other real estate, then review bank and investment accounts. Look for the exact ownership shown on recorded deeds, account statements, and related records. If an asset is supposed to belong to the trust but title remains solely in your individual name, further review may be needed.
How do I check whether my home is in the trust?
Review the recorded deed and current ownership records. Property tax bills may help you identify how property is described, but a lawyer should confirm whether the deed properly places the home into the trust and whether property tax issues require attention. The firm's article on California real estate and estate planning explains the importance of this step.
Do retirement accounts and life insurance need different treatment?
Often, yes. Unlike a house, retirement accounts and life insurance typically call for special beneficiary designation planning rather than simply retitling ownership into a revocable living trust. Review the beneficiary forms carefully as part of your full estate plan.
What if the trust document lists my assets?
A schedule attached to the trust can be useful, but it does not necessarily prove that title was legally transferred. Confirm actual ownership through deeds, account records, and other relevant documents. Read the firm's guide to how to fund a California trust for more details.
What if I discover an asset outside the trust?
Ask an estate planning attorney to review the specific asset and recommend appropriate steps. Proper funding may help reduce the risk of court proceedings during incapacity or after death. The best check is a coordinated review of your trust, property titles, and beneficiary designations rather than looking at any one document in isolation.
