Adding Property to Your Living Trust

Transfer of ownership of real estate to a living trust

Many people choose to have their home included in a living trust. To add your family home or any other real estate you own to a trust, you must change the property's title so that the trust is the new owner.

You must register this change in the county where the property is located. Generally, most fees involving a usual property title transfer are waived so long as the grantor (creator of the trust) and trustee are the same person.

Transfer of ownership of bank accounts, cash-related accounts, or securities

Cash-related accounts include bank accounts, brokerage accounts, savings accounts, and certificates of deposit. To transfer such assets into the living trust, you must place them in the name of the trust.

You can often request this change in person at the location of the account. Alternately, you may be able to file a form supplied by your bank or brokerage firm, which requires notarization.

Transferring stocks, bonds, or other securities requires a stock power form, which you can obtain from the bank, brokerage firm, or a stock transfer agent. You must have this form notarized or have a medallion signature guarantee, which verifies your identity in the security transfer process.