How to Fund Your Revocable Living Trust (San Diego Estate Planning Attorney Guide)
Creating a Revocable Living Trust is a key step in protecting your family and avoiding probate — but a trust only works if it’s properly funded. Many families are surprised to learn that an unfunded or partially funded living trust does not avoid probate. That means assets left in your personal name may end up going through the court process you were trying to avoid.
This guide, written by a San Diego estate planning attorney, explains how to fund your trust, what assets should be retitled, and when beneficiary designations matter. It’s part of our estate planning blog series to help families plan with confidence.
What Does “Funding Your Trust” Mean?
Your home needs to be retitled under your living trust.
Funding your trust means transferring ownership or assigning beneficiary rights to your San Diego living trust.
That usually includes:
✅ Retitling assets in the name of your trust (real estate, bank accounts, investments)
✅ Updating beneficiary designations (for retirement accounts and life insurance)
✅ Keeping records showing your trust owns or is the beneficiary of each asset
This ensures your assets are controlled by the trust and distributed according to your instructions, without court involvement.
Using Your Certification of Trust
Your estate plan includes, or should include, a Certification of Trust, aka Trust Certificate, — a summary document proving the trust exists and that you have authority to act as Trustee.
Banks, brokers, and financial institutions often request this instead of your full living trust document. If the institution doesn’t have its own form, provide your Certification of Trust. This protects the privacy of your revocable living trust while confirming your authority as Trustee.
Tax Identification for Your Trust
While you are alive, your living trust uses your Social Security number. You do not need a separate tax ID, and you report trust income on your personal tax returns.
After your passing, the trust may need its own tax ID. Your successor trustee can work with us, your San Diego trusts attorney, and your CPA at that time.
How to Title Assets in Your Trust
Most assets should be titled in the name of your trust. A common titling format looks like:
John and Jane Doe, Trustees of the Doe Family Trust dated October 30, 2025
Steps for Transferring Different Types of Assets
🏦 Bank & Cash Accounts
Retitle significant accounts to your trust by signing a change of ownership form at your bank.
Small everyday checking accounts may remain in your name — just add the trust as Pay-on-Death (POD) beneficiary.
Keep the same Social Security number for tax reporting.
Save a copy of your updated account statement in your trust folder.
📈 Investment & Brokerage Accounts
Contact your financial advisor or broker to update account title to the living trust.
If you hold physical stock certificates, you may either:
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Deposit them into a trust-titled brokerage account, or
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Work with the transfer agent to reissue certificates in your San Diego living trust’s name
Save account statements or new certificates in your trust file.
💍 Personal Property & Vehicles
Your trust already owns your household belongings by declaration.
Cars do not trigger probate. They can be retitled to the trust, but many clients choose not to for practical and insurance reasons. If you consider transferring a vehicle, consult your insurance agent first as your premiums may increase significantly after the trust transfer.
💼 Business Interests
Business assets may require special documents:
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Corporation: Reissue stock to the trust
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LLC or partnership: Assign interest to the trust
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Sole proprietorship: Transfer business assets by written assignment
Contact our San Diego estate planning attorney to assist with these transfers if needed.
🏠 Real Estate
Real property must be deeded into your San Diego living trust. This requires preparing and recording a trust transfer deed — we recommend using an experienced trust attorney to ensure that title and tax issues are handled correctly.
After recording, place a copy of the deed in your trust binder.
Also notify your homeowner’s insurance to add the trust as an additional insured.
📑 Notes, Loans & Receivables
If someone owes you money, assign your lender interest to the trust and notify the borrower.
⛽ Oil, Gas, and Mineral Interests
Depending on whether you own or lease interests, transfer by deed or assignment as applicable.
📜 Retirement Accounts (Very Important)
Do not retitle IRAs, 401(k)s, or retirement plans to your trust.
Instead, review and update beneficiary designations. Common choices include:
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Spouse
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Children
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Revocable Living Trust (in certain cases)
Because tax rules for retirement assets are complex, schedule time to review your goals with your San Diego trusts attorney before finalizing designations.
🛡️ Life Insurance & Annuities
For many families, the trust should be named as beneficiary of life insurance — but not always. The right choice depends on your estate and tax strategy.
Your insurance company will send a confirmation after changes are made — keep this in your trust records.
Keep Documentation Organized
Whenever you transfer an asset, save proof in your trust folder or binder, such as:
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Updated account statements
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Beneficiary confirmations
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Recorded deeds
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Assignment documents
This helps your successor trustee easily administer your living trust.
Review Your Trust Regularly
Your life changes — and your estate plan should keep up. Review your trust every 2–3 years, or sooner if you:
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Have a child
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Buy or sell real estate
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Receive an inheritance
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Experience major financial changes
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Divorce or marry
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Tax laws change
Need Help Funding Your Trust?
Funding a trust can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. As a San Diego estate planning attorney and San Diego trusts attorney, we guide clients through the process and can assist with transferring:
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Bank and investment accounts
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Real estate deeds
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Business interests
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Life insurance and retirement beneficiary planning
A trust only protects your family if it’s funded properly. We’re here to help you finish this important step with confidence.
Schedule a consultation or request trust funding support: Contact – MILDA GOERIZ ATTORNEY AT LAW
📍 San Diego | sandiegotrustlawyer.com