What happens to property I forget to put in my trust?

Property that isn't formally retitled or funded into your trust generally doesn't get the trust's probate-avoidance benefit, even if your trust document mentions it, and may still need to go through probate unless a pour-over will directs it into the trust afterward.

General information

• Funding means formally retitling an asset, such as changing a deed or account title, into the trust's name.
• A pour-over will is commonly used as a backup to direct forgotten property into the trust through probate.
• Periodically reviewing your property against your trust's funding list helps catch anything left out.

Service steps to consider

1. Review your current property against what's actually been retitled into your trust.
2. Fund any newly acquired property into the trust as you go.
3. Keep a pour-over will in place as a backup for anything missed.

Quick check

• Have I funded all my major property into my trust?
• Do I have a pour-over will as a backup?

How Complete Wills can help

This is a common gap that Complete Wills' trust funding guidance is built to help you avoid. The platform walks you through which types of property typically need to be retitled and how, and pairing your trust with a pour-over will provides a safety net for anything that was accidentally left unfunded when you die.

Important limits

• A licensed attorney or your financial institution can help confirm the correct retitling steps for specific complex assets.