Can I put my home in a living trust?

A home can often be transferred to a revocable living trust by a properly prepared and recorded deed. The deed, mortgage, insurance, property-tax rules, and any homestead rights must be reviewed.

General information

• A trust document alone does not retitle real estate.
• The county recording office handles the deed record.
• A mortgage or homeowners policy may require notice or updated records.

Service steps to consider

1. Checking the current deed and legal description.
2. Asking the lender and insurer what they require.
3. A licensed attorney or title expert can advise about the deed.

Quick check

• Is the asset in the trust's name?
• Did the bank or county record the change?
• Did I save proof?

How Complete Wills can help

Complete Wills' trust-based package includes a revocable living trust, schedule of assets, certification of trust, pour-over will, power of attorney, health-care directive, and HIPAA authorization. The service can prepare documents from customer answers. But the customer remains responsible for signing and for properly funding the trust. Customer support can explain website features and questionnaire fields, but it cannot choose documents, people, distributions, or legal terms, interpret a completed document, or explain how the law applies to a person's facts. Only a separately engaged licensed attorney may provide legal advice within the attorney's engagement.

Important limits

• A trust controls only property legally connected to it. A schedule alone may not change title.
• Get legal, tax, or financial advice before transferring retirement accounts, business interests, mortgaged property, foreign property, or assets with transfer restrictions. This article gives general information only. A licensed attorney can explain how state law applies to a specific estate plan or document.