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ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY IN
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CHECKLIST FOR FUNDING YOUR TRUST

Placing Assets in a Revocable Living Trust

To achieve full benefit from a Revocable Living Trust, it is important that appropriate action be taken to transfer assets into trustee ownership. This process is often referred to as “funding” the Trust. Funding a Trust consists of retitling your bank accounts, bonds, stocks, real estate, and other assets so that the Trustee of the Trust is the owner of the assets. Funding also may entail changing the beneficiary of life insurance policies or retirement benefits to name the Trust.

Proper funding of a Trust also can ensure that estate tax savings are attained. A married couple with assets totaling more than the estate tax exclusion amount will need to discuss with their advisors the proper division of their assets between their Trusts to maximize estate tax savings.

Funding-Your-Trust

Below is a list of things to cover when funding your Trust. Not all items will apply to your situation and the list is not exhaustive, so if you have an asset that is not covered below, please feel free to contact our office for advice:

  1.   If you are asked for the tax ID# for your Trust, it is your social security number. For a joint trust, you may use the social security number of either spouse.
  2.   Have your bank or credit union retitle your bank accounts, money market accounts and CDs into the Trust name.
  3.   Retitle stocks, bonds and investment accounts into the Trust name. If you have a financial advisor, they can assist you. If not, you may be able to find forms online.
  4.   Register your Durable Power of Attorney with your banks and financial advisors.
  5.   Give a copy of the Affidavit and Certificate of Trust Existence and Authority to bankers and brokers. If out of state, they may want copies of certain pages of your Trust instead.
  6.   Name your Trust as beneficiary of life insurance policies on your life.
  7.   Name individuals or your Trust as beneficiaries of your retirement benefits and annuities. See the letter included with your estate plan binder for instructions.
  8.   If you acquire additional real estate, either purchase it as Trustee or contact us to prepare a deed to transfer the property to your Trust.
  9.   Inform your insurance agent for your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy that you have transferred your property to your Trust and either: (1) confirm, preferably in writing, that the transfer will not negatively affect coverage under the existing policy; or (2) revise the existing policy (by endorsement or otherwise) to ensure the coverage continues under the new ownership.
  10. If the value of your vehicles is greater than $100,000, go to the Secretary of State’s Office with your Trust document and vehicle titles and transfer title to any vehicles that are paid off to your Trust. The maximum value for watercraft is $300,000.
  11. If you acquire any business interests, such as LLC membership interests or stock in a corporation, please contact us to transfer these interests to your Trust.
If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call and we will be happy to assist you. And remember, if you don’t have the time or it seems overwhelming, you can always hire us to prepare some of your funding documents for you. Please call for a quote.

Testimonials

“Karen, we really, really appreciate you! The better the planning we do, the luckier we have been, which is why I brought Aunt Betty to you 14 years ago, and we have sought your advice throughout. She is at peace knowing she doesn't need to worry about managing estate-related choices in her final days.“

Jay Smith

“Thanks for taking such good care of us and making it easy to ask questions. I appreciate not being made to feel stupid for asking questions. It was a lovely gift at a tough time.“

Charlie Patricolo

“Throughout the emotional roller coaster ride as my father’s Trustee, I am grateful you were there for me. You kept me grounded and focused on the job at hand, when I could easily have let my emotions take over. I am sure my Dad is smiling down on how everything came together, and happy I stayed with you as my legal counsel. I know I am certainly smiling. Thank you again.”

Lynn Speerschneider

“I would not hesitate to contact Karen in the future, or recommend her to friends and family, for estate planning needs. She made a confusing process very easy and painless.”

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Top qualities: Personable, Good Value, On Time

“Karen is very personable and professional. Her method of determining my estate planning needs minimized the amount of time and effort on my part. She generated an estate plan that was fully customized for my special situation. It was a pleasure to work with her. I will continue to recommend her to my associates and friends.”

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Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0

“I’d like to start by saying THANK YOU! For the first time in my life I found myself in trouble. I spoke with you and realized that I was speaking to a warm and sensitive person. After our discussion, you referred me to someone you felt more appropriate or fitting to my situation. I am grateful to you both! If I need a Lawyer or a CPA again, I would want the support and guidance of the two of you! Thank you again, you have made a difference in my life!”

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