What it means
A trust only works if it owns something.
Funding your trust means formally transferring assets into it — changing titles, adjusting account ownership, and, in some cases, updating beneficiary designations.
Until that happens, your trust is just paperwork.
Think of it as packing a suitcase. If you never put anything inside, it won’t be much help when the time comes.
Why it matters
Signing a trust doesn’t move your assets. Only you (or your advisor) can do that. If you skip the funding step, most of your plan’s benefits — like avoiding probate — disappear.
Put simply: An unfunded trust still sends your family to court.
It also opens the door to delays, confusion, and unnecessary costs. The court may follow state rules instead of your instructions. Family members may need to file extra paperwork. And assets may not land where you intended.
Real-world Example: Maria set up a Revocable Living Trust to ensure her home and savings passed directly to her children. She signed the documents and everything looked finished, but she never changed the title on her home.
When Maria passed away, the house was still in her name — not the trust’s. It had to go through probate before her children could take ownership. What should’ve been immediate became expensive, public, and delayed by months.
Had she transferred the property into the trust, it would’ve been handled privately and according to her plan.
What happens if something is missed?
Most plans include a backup called a pour-over will — a document that catches any assets left out and sends them to your trust after death.
But there’s a catch:
Those assets usually go through probate first.
The process is slower, more expensive, and far less efficient.
Attorney Note: Fund the trust while you’re living — it keeps things clear and avoids complications later.
What to transfer into your trust
Here’s what’s typically included:
Real estate (home, investment properties, land).
Bank accounts (checking, savings, CDs).
Investment accounts (brokerage, stocks, bonds).
Business interests.
Notes payable to you.
You’ll also want to review beneficiary designations — especially for things like life insurance and annuities. In many cases, you’ll list the trust as a contingent beneficiary, not the primary.
What not to transfer
Some assets should not be retitled into your trust — particularly tax-deferred retirement accounts like IRAs, 401(k)s, and similar plans. Changing ownership can trigger unnecessary taxes and disrupt the account’s intended growth.
Instead, these assets are typically handled through beneficiary designations.
Here’s how it’s usually done:
Primary beneficiary: Most married couples name a spouse. This allows for a spousal rollover, preserving the account’s tax-deferred status and continuing growth.
Contingent beneficiary: The trust can be named here, so that if the spouse (or another primary) has passed, the asset flows into the trust without probate.
A note on naming individuals
If you name an individual — such as an adult child — they’ll have full control over the account once it transfers. That includes the ability to cash it out immediately, which may:
Trigger significant taxes
Undermine long-term financial planning
Create distribution timelines that don’t align with your goals can cash out the account — potentially triggering taxes and undoing long-term planning.
Attorney Note: These decisions affect taxes, inheritance timing, and long-term protection. Before updating beneficiaries, speak with your advisor or an estate planning attorney to align structure with intent.
How to transfer real estate
To move property into your trust, you’ll need a new deed. If you didn’t order a deed when you created your plan, here’s how to get one now:
1. Log into your dashboard.
2. Click “Order Deeds” in the Assets tile.
3. Select an existing deed order or add a new one.
4. Enter the required details.
5. Click “Order Selected” to complete checkout.
Deeds are delivered by email in 10–14 business days.
Important: We don’t currently offer deed prep in AL, AR, DC, LA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, SC, or VA. In those states, you’ll need to work with a local attorney or title company.
How to transfer financial accounts
For accounts like bank, brokerage, or investment accounts, you'll need to work directly with each institution. Most have their own process and forms — and they won't accept a generic letter.
Start by contacting the institution and asking to update the account ownership to your trust. From there, follow their steps. It’s usually straightforward but varies by institution.
If you're not sure what to ask for, download the Specific Asset Funding Guide — it includes example language and step-by-step instructions by asset type.
What about assets with named beneficiaries?
Some assets — like life insurance, pensions, and annuities — pass directly to the person named as beneficiary. They don’t go through your trust unless you want them to.
Here’s a clean approach:
Keep your spouse or children as the primary.
Name your trust as the contingent.
That way, if the primary beneficiary has passed, the asset flows to the trust — no court, no questions.
Final note
Funding your trust isn’t a formality. It’s the step that makes the entire plan work.
It turns intentions into outcomes. And it ensures your instructions are followed without delays, loopholes, or court involvement.
If you need help:
Download the Specific Asset Funding Guide.
Or reach out to support — we’ll point you in the right direction.