Trust Funding: The Essential Step That Completes Your Estate Plan
United States, 4th Nov 2025 – Creating a Revocable Living Trust is a powerful way to protect your assets, maintain privacy, and help your loved ones avoid probate. But simply signing the trust document isn’t enough to make it work. To be effective, your trust must be funded—meaning your assets must be properly transferred into it.
Trust funding is the step that transforms your trust from a plan on paper into a working legal tool. Without funding, your trust may not provide the benefits you intended.
At Fishbein Law Group, we make sure clients understand how funding works and assist throughout the process, so your estate plan is complete and ready to function when needed.
What Does It Mean to “Fund” a Trust?
Funding a trust means changing the legal ownership of your property so that the trust becomes the asset holder, not you personally. Depending on the type of asset, this may involve:
- Retitling the asset in the name of the trust, or
- Updating beneficiary designations to coordinate with the trust.
Assets commonly included in trust funding:
- Real estate (homes, rentals, land)
- Bank accounts and credit union accounts
- Non-retirement investment and brokerage accounts
- Business ownership or membership interests
- Valuable personal property and collections
Assets like IRAs and life insurance often remain in your individual name, but the beneficiaries are updated to align with the trust.
Why Proper Funding Is Critical
A trust that is not funded cannot do its job.
If assets are left in your individual name at your death, they may still require probate, even if you created a trust.
A properly funded trust:
- Avoids probate and court involvement
- Gives your successor trustee clear legal authority
- Keeps your affairs private, instead of becoming part of the public record
- Allows for faster and smoother administration for your loved ones
An unfunded (or partially funded) trust can mean:
- Delays in settling your estate
- Increased costs and attorney involvement
- Confusion and stress for family members
- The possibility your wishes are not carried out as intended
How Fishbein Law Group Assists With Trust Funding
We guide clients through the funding process step-by-step. Our support typically includes:
- Preparing and recording deeds to transfer real estate into the trust
- Providing instructions for retitling bank and investment accounts
- Reviewing and coordinating beneficiary designations for retirement accounts and life insurance
- Preparing an Assignment of Personal Property for household items, jewelry, and other personal effects
- Advising on how to fund business and LLC ownership interests
We also explain which assets should not be placed in the trust and help ensure funding stays current as new assets are acquired.
Arizona-Specific Considerations
Here in Arizona, there are practical options for commonly overlooked assets:
Motor Vehicles:
You may either:
- Retitle the vehicle to the trust, or
- Use the ADOT Beneficiary Designation form to pass the vehicle without probate.
Personal Property:
Arizona recognizes a general Assignment of Personal Property, which transfers everyday items to the trust at the time the trust is executed.
The Risk of Leaving a Trust Unfunded
An unfunded trust is like a safe that is never filled.
The structure exists—but nothing inside is protected.
Without funding:
- Assets may still go through probate
- The successor trustee may not have authority
- Your estate plan may not reflect your intentions
Trust Funding Is an Ongoing Responsibility
Funding doesn’t end once the trust is signed. As you buy, sell, or move assets, ownership should be reviewed. We help clients:
- Understand how to title new accounts or property
- Periodically review the trust’s funding status
- Maintain records and checklists to stay organized
Final Thoughts
A Revocable Living Trust is only effective when it is fully funded. Taking this final step ensures your estate plan works the way you intended—protecting your assets, simplifying administration, and minimizing stress for those you care about.
Fishbein Law Group is here to help you complete the process with confidence and clarity.
Schedule a trust funding review or consultation today.
For more information on Tempe Estate Planning Attorneys, or if you would like a Living Trust Attorney in Tempe, or know more about Medical Powers of Attorney, call Fishbein Law Group at (480) 920-1000 for a courtesy conversation.
The text above is for general informational purposes and should not be considered legal advice.
Company Details
Organization: Fishbein Law Group
Contact Person: Office Manager
Website: https://fishbeinlawgroup.com/
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Country: United States
Release Id: 04112536503