A trust is only as effective as it is funded. Proper funding ensures your estate plan works as intended, whether your goal is to avoid probate, protect assets for your children, or reduce estate taxes. Funding a revocable trust generally involves:

• Retitling certain assets, such as bank and investment accounts or real estate, into the name of the trust;

• Updating beneficiary designations on appropriate assets, such as life insurance and certain financial accounts;

• Assigning ownership interests in businesses or LLCs to the trust, when appropriate.

As part of our Tree Plans, we provide personalized funding recommendations for each of your assets. For clients who want additional support, we also offer funding assistance. We can help with paperwork, coordinate with financial institutions, update beneficiary designations, and handle the follow-up needed to ensure your trust is properly funded. Our goal is to make the process as simple and seamless as possible.

Do you feel like you want to handle funding on your own but need further guidance, advice, or just reassurance? Please refer to the Funding Instructions and Asset Summary in the Funding Instruction section of your estate-planning binder. If you still have additional questions about funding and want an attorney to confirm the work you have completed on your own, have questions or need further direction, need advice on dealing with financial institutions and their specific forms, etc., we are happy to assist you and field all of your questions. (Billed Hourly)