A General Assignment of Assets to Trust is a document that transfers ownership of assets from an individual into a living trust, allowing those assets to be administered under the trust’s terms. For residents of Martinez and Contra Costa County this process helps align property ownership with a broader estate plan, reduces the likelihood of probate delays, and clarifies how assets should be managed for beneficiaries. Our firm explains the steps, consequences, and common variations so you can make informed choices about which assets to assign to your trust and how to preserve control and privacy for your family over time.
This page focuses on the practical and legal considerations around preparing and executing a General Assignment of Assets to Trust in Martinez, California. We describe the types of property commonly assigned, how assignments interact with trusts like revocable living trusts and pour-over wills, and how this tool fits into documents such as powers of attorney or health directives. Whether you are consolidating accounts, adding personal property, or preparing for long-term care needs, the assignment helps organize assets so trustees can follow your directions while minimizing administrative friction for loved ones after incapacity or death.
A General Assignment of Assets to Trust provides clarity and continuity by formally moving designated assets into a trust arrangement that governs distribution and management. For persons in Martinez this can mean avoiding probate for assigned items, simplifying family transitions after a death, and reducing administrative burdens during incapacity. The assignment works with related estate documents to create a cohesive plan that keeps assets together under trust administration, preserves privacy compared to public probate records, and can streamline access for a trusted successor trustee when authority is needed to manage finances or property without court delays.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman assists clients across California with estate planning documents including general assignments to living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives. Our practice focuses on helping individuals and families identify assets that should be assigned to trusts, preparing clear written assignments, and coordinating trust funding choices to align with broader planning goals. We emphasize practical solutions that reflect client priorities, local law in Contra Costa County, and effective communication so clients understand how an assignment will affect property control, beneficiary designations, and trustee responsibilities.
A general assignment of assets to a trust is a mechanism used to transfer ownership of assets from an individual to their trust without transferring title for each item individually; it often accompanies a trust funding strategy. In California, the assignment is a recorded written statement indicating the grantor’s intent that particular assets be held by the trust, and it is tailored to the trust’s terms and the asset types involved. Properly drafted assignments identify the assets, specify the trust as recipient, and provide signatures and notarization when required, helping prevent ambiguity that can cause administrative delay or family disputes.
Funding a trust by executing an assignment helps ensure assets are managed according to the trust document and may streamline post-death administration. The assignment interacts with beneficiary designations, deeds, and account ownership rules, so coordination is necessary to avoid conflicts. For Martinez residents, attention to local practice and to California law affecting real property transfers, account retitling, and vehicle or business ownership transfers is important. A clear assignment reduces the need for court involvement and helps successor trustees act efficiently when managing trust assets or distributing property to beneficiaries.
A General Assignment is a document in which the grantor conveys ownership of listed assets to a living trust, allowing the trust to hold and control them under the terms the grantor set. It typically names the trust, lists or describes the assets being transferred, and includes the grantor’s signature and acknowledgment. This simple instrument facilitates trust administration by consolidating ownership, clarifying control during incapacity, and guiding distribution after death. While an assignment does not replace deeds or title transfer where required, it serves as an efficient step in funding personal property, financial accounts, and smaller assets into a trust structure.
A valid general assignment includes identification of the trust and grantor, a description of the assets being assigned, a statement of intent to transfer those assets into the trust, and the grantor’s signature with any necessary notarization. The process includes compiling an inventory of assets, reviewing beneficiary designations and title documents, preparing the assignment document, and coordinating any further title transfers or retitling for bank accounts or real property. After execution, maintaining a detailed record and providing copies to successor trustees or attorneys ensures smooth administration and helps avoid confusion about which assets belong to the trust.
Understanding common terms used with assignments and trusts helps you make sound decisions. Definitions include grantor, trustee, beneficiary, trust funding, probate, and pour-over will, among others. These terms describe roles, legal actions, and documents that interact with a general assignment. Becoming familiar with this vocabulary will help you as you inventory assets, coordinate with financial institutions, and sign paperwork. Clear definitions reduce misunderstandings and make discussions with legal advisors and successor trustees more productive, particularly when distinguishing between assets that can be assigned informally and those requiring formal title transfers or beneficiary designation changes.
The grantor is the individual who creates the trust and transfers assets into it by means such as a general assignment. As the trust creator, the grantor establishes the terms, retains certain powers if the trust is revocable, and initiates funding by identifying and assigning assets. In many trust arrangements the grantor also serves as initial trustee and retains the ability to modify or revoke the trust while alive if the trust is revocable. Understanding the grantor role helps clarify who controls asset transfers, who signs assignment documents, and who may change the trust during their lifetime.
The trustee is the person or entity appointed to manage trust assets in accordance with the trust terms after an assignment has been made. Duties include preserving trust property, following distribution instructions, and acting prudently for beneficiaries. Initial trustees can be the grantor, and successor trustees step in upon incapacity or death. Choosing a trustee involves balancing trustworthiness, availability, and financial management capabilities. Clear assignments and organized records reduce burdens on trustees by making asset ownership and trust intentions straightforward, enabling effective administration and distribution under California law.
A beneficiary is a person or organization designated in a trust to receive assets or benefits from the trust according to its terms. Beneficiaries may receive distributions during the grantor’s lifetime or after death, depending on the trust’s instructions. The assignment of assets to a trust affects which property is available for distribution and can alter estate outcomes compared with assets left solely by will. Understanding beneficiary rights, distribution timing, and conditions in the trust document helps prevent disputes and ensures beneficiaries receive their intended share without unnecessary delay or ambiguity.
A pour-over will is a testamentary document designed to transfer any assets that were not assigned to the living trust during the grantor’s lifetime into that trust at death. It acts as a safety net to capture lingering assets and funnel them to the trust for distribution under its terms, although such assets may still go through probate before entering the trust. Combining a pour-over will with a formal funding plan and general assignment reduces the number of assets needing probate and helps ensure the trust reflects the grantor’s overall estate plan.
When funding a trust, you can use a general assignment, transfer title for specific assets, or update beneficiary designations, and each option has benefits and limits. A general assignment is efficient for personal property and many accounts, while retitling deeds and changing account ownership may be required for real estate or vehicles. Beneficiary designations bypass trust administration for certain assets but can conflict with trust intentions if not coordinated. Evaluating these options involves reviewing the asset type, account rules, and California requirements to choose the most effective approach for consolidating assets under the trust’s control and minimizing probate.
A limited funding approach using a general assignment can be appropriate when most of the estate consists of personal effects, smaller financial accounts, or assets that are easily documented and do not require deed transfers. For many Martinez residents a single assignment listing jewelry, household items, bank accounts, and investment accounts simplifies trust funding without the administrative burdens of changing every title. This approach reduces paperwork for minor items while letting the trust handle distribution, provided that any accounts with specific contractual beneficiary designations are reviewed to ensure the assignment does not conflict with account rules.
A limited approach is sensible when important retirement accounts, life insurance, or other assets already have beneficiary designations that align with your plan. In these cases, a general assignment can supplement existing designations by consolidating other assets into the trust, while leaving designated accounts as they are to maintain their contractual distribution rules. Coordination is essential to prevent unintended consequences: review beneficiary forms and confirm that the trust’s terms and the assignment are consistent with retirement plan rules and insurance policies to avoid disputes or tax surprises for heirs in Contra Costa County.
A comprehensive funding strategy becomes important when an estate includes real property, business interests, retirement accounts, or complex investment portfolios where simple assignments are insufficient. Real estate often requires deed transfers and careful consideration of title, tax consequences, and California law. Business ownership interests may demand separate agreements or consents. In these scenarios a coordinated plan that combines assignments, deeds, account retitling, and beneficiary updates ensures that assets are properly placed in the trust, avoids gaps in ownership, and reduces the potential for probate or protracted administration.
If long-term care planning, tax considerations, or creditor exposure are relevant, a more thorough approach to funding and trust design is advisable. Some trust structures and assignments can affect eligibility for public benefits, estate tax exposure, and creditor claims depending on timing and trust type. A comprehensive review helps align funding steps with broader goals such as protecting assets for beneficiaries, managing tax outcomes, and coordinating with powers of attorney and health directives. Thoughtful planning for these issues helps avoid unintended loss of benefits or diminished value for heirs in Martinez and surrounding areas.
Taking a comprehensive approach to trust funding reduces the likelihood of assets being overlooked, minimizes probate exposure, and helps ensure that the trust’s distribution instructions are followed consistently. Proper coordination among deeds, account titles, beneficiary designations, and assignment documents creates a clear path for trustees and beneficiaries, reducing disputes and administrative delay. In Martinez, where property ownership issues and account rules can vary, comprehensive funding helps preserve privacy, avoid court involvement for unexpected assets, and provide family members with straightforward instructions and documentation.
A thorough strategy can also address contingencies such as incapacity and sudden changes in family circumstances by ensuring powers of attorney and health care directives are coordinated with trust funding. This alignment makes it easier for designated agents to access accounts and manage assets promptly when needed. Comprehensive planning leaves a robust audit trail and provides successor trustees with the records and authority needed to honor the grantor’s intentions efficiently, reducing stress on loved ones and improving the likelihood of smooth property transition according to the trust.
When assets are properly assigned and retitled to a living trust, fewer items remain in the probate estate, which can reduce costs, time, and public exposure of personal affairs. Probate can be lengthy and public; shifting assets into a trust allows distributions to occur privately under the trust’s terms. For many families in Martinez, this privacy and efficiency is a primary advantage of a full funding effort. Careful inventory, documentation, and timely execution of assignments and transfers help make that outcome more likely by preventing surprises at the time of administration.
Clear and complete funding ensures successor trustees have unambiguous authority to manage and distribute assets without seeking court intervention. When trust property is well-documented and assets are assigned or retitled appropriately, trustees can access accounts, sell property if needed, and follow the trust’s distribution plan more readily. This clarity reduces friction among family members and helps preserve asset value by enabling timely decisions. Successor trustees in Contra Costa County benefit from having concise records, executed assignments, and up-to-date beneficiary and title documentation to perform their duties effectively.
Begin by compiling a thorough inventory of your assets including bank accounts, retirement accounts, investment accounts, vehicles, real property, business interests, and personal property of significant value. Document account numbers, titles, deeds, and beneficiary forms where applicable. An inventory helps determine which assets can be handled through a general assignment and which require retitling or separate transfers. Keeping clear records also speeds trustee access during incapacity or at death and reduces the chance that items will be overlooked during administration in Martinez or elsewhere in California.
Store executed assignments, trust documents, powers of attorney, health directives, and an up-to-date asset inventory in a secure but accessible location and provide copies to a trusted successor trustee or legal advisor. Maintaining current records and periodic reviews ensures that changes in accounts, property, or family circumstances are reflected in the trust and its funding. Regular updates help avoid probate surprises and allow the trustee to act promptly when needed, preserving value and ensuring that distributions align with your current wishes.
Consider a general assignment when you want to consolidate ownership of household items, bank accounts, and other personal assets under your trust to simplify administration and reduce the potential for probate. This option can be especially helpful when you have a living trust in place and want to make sure modest assets are covered without individually retitling every item. The assignment provides a written record of your intent to place those assets in trust and helps successor trustees identify property that should be managed according to the trust’s provisions.
You may also decide to use an assignment when coordinating a broader estate plan that includes powers of attorney, a pour-over will, and health care directives. If incapacity is a concern, assigning assets into a trust can allow the successor trustee to access resources for care and bills without lengthy court involvement. For Martinez residents, using an assignment in conjunction with a trust helps preserve privacy and provides a practical framework for transferring tangible and intangible assets to the people you choose to benefit.
Typical circumstances for using a general assignment include consolidating household goods, transferring small investment or bank accounts, capturing assets that were overlooked when creating the trust, and memorializing intent for property that lacks formal title. This document can serve as a catch-all for personal property and minor accounts, complementing deeds and beneficiary designations that address larger or more complex assets. Families use assignments to make certain that items intended for trust distribution are not left to probate or family dispute due to unclear ownership at death or during incapacity.
A common reason to use a general assignment is that some assets were not retitled into the trust at the time the trust was created. Life events, oversight, or complexity can leave items in the grantor’s name, creating ambiguity at the time of administration. Executing a formal assignment documents the grantor’s intention that those assets be managed and distributed by the trust, providing clarity for trustees and beneficiaries. Properly recording and storing the assignment helps ensure these assets are handled according to the trust’s instructions.
Personal property such as furniture, art, jewelry, and collections are often suitable for inclusion by general assignment rather than separate title changes. These items can be listed in an assignment or referenced by category, allowing trustees to identify and distribute them without complex transfer procedures. Using an assignment for such property is practical for Martinez households and reduces administrative overhead, while still ensuring that the grantor’s wishes for distribution are recorded and legally recognized as part of the trust estate.
Minor financial accounts, payable-on-death accounts, and other contractually simple assets can be included in a general assignment when retitling would be impractical. Assigning these accounts to the trust ensures they are recognized as trust property for management and distribution purposes, though it remains important to confirm account rules and beneficiary designations. When properly handled, this approach reduces the administrative impact on heirs and helps consolidate assets so the trustee can follow the trust’s distribution plan efficiently.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman assists Martinez residents with preparing and documenting general assignments to living trusts, coordinating titles and beneficiary designations, and providing clear instructions to successor trustees. We focus on helping clients inventory assets, create assignment documents that reflect current wishes, and integrate the assignment with related documents like pour-over wills and powers of attorney. Our practical approach helps families in Contra Costa County manage transitions more smoothly and reduces uncertainty about which assets are held by the trust and how they should be handled.
Our firm offers personalized guidance for funding living trusts and preparing documentation such as general assignments to trust, pour-over wills, and related estate planning instruments. We help clients identify assets suitable for assignment, draft clear assignment language, and coordinate with financial institutions or title companies when retitling is necessary. This attention to detail helps reduce the likelihood of assets being excluded from the trust and ensures successor trustees have the records they need to administer the trust efficiently.
We prioritize clear communication and practical solutions tailored to the circumstances of each client in Martinez and across Contra Costa County. Our goal is to make trust funding manageable by breaking the process into straightforward steps, providing checklists, and preparing documents that reflect your preferences. Whether you have simple household assets or a more complex portfolio that includes real estate or business interests, we work to coordinate the necessary transfers and document retention so the trust functions as intended.
Clients receive assistance assembling inventories, preparing assignments, and updating related documents such as powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and pour-over wills. We help ensure that documents are properly executed and filed when necessary, and we provide practical advice on maintaining records and communicating the plan to successor trustees. Our approach focuses on reducing administrative burdens for families so assets can be managed and distributed in a predictable manner consistent with the grantor’s wishes.
Our process for preparing a general assignment begins with a thorough review of your existing trust, current asset inventory, and any beneficiary designations or title documents. We then identify which assets are best handled by assignment versus retitling or beneficiary updates, draft the assignment language to clearly describe the assets and the receiving trust, and guide you through execution and any required notarization. Finally we advise on recordkeeping and provide copies to successor trustees to ensure clear authority and efficient administration when the time comes.
The first critical step is compiling an accurate inventory of assets and reviewing existing documents to understand which items are already covered by beneficiary designations or are titled appropriately. This step includes gathering deeds, account statements, policy information, and details about personal property. A careful review reveals gaps in funding, potential conflicts between account contracts and trust instructions, and assets that require special handling. Identifying these items early prevents surprises and sets the stage for drafting a clear assignment and any necessary title changes.
We examine bank records, brokerage statements, retirement account forms, and any beneficiary designations to determine whether accounts should be assigned, retitled, or left as contract beneficiaries. This review clarifies how each account will pass at death or be accessed during incapacity and helps avoid conflicts between account terms and trust distribution goals. Determining the best approach for each account reduces the risk that assets will bypass the trust or be subject to unexpected probate proceedings.
Real property often requires deed transfers to place title in the trust, and this part of the process identifies which parcels need retitling. We discuss tax and title implications and work with title companies or county offices as needed to ensure transfers comply with California recording requirements. Addressing real property early prevents delays in administration and ensures the trust holds the intended interests in land and homes, which is especially important for families wanting to avoid probate for significant assets.
After identifying the assets to be included, we prepare a general assignment document that names the trust, describes the assets, and expresses the grantor’s intent to transfer those items into the trust. The assignment is reviewed with the client for clarity and accuracy, and we guide execution, including notarization if required. For certain assets we assist with additional forms or title changes to ensure the transfer is completed properly. Correct execution and documentation make the assignment an effective part of your overall estate plan.
Clear, specific assignment language reduces ambiguity and helps trustees and institutions recognize the trust’s ownership claim. The document will identify the trust by name and date, list or describe the assets, and include wording that conveys ownership to the trust. We include signature and acknowledgment blocks as needed and recommend recordkeeping steps. Precise drafting reduces the risk of disputes and helps institutions accept the assignment without additional litigation or delay.
Once the assignment is drafted, we supervise its proper execution, including notary acknowledgment when required, and advise on delivering copies to successor trustees, financial institutions, and other relevant parties. For assets requiring separate transfers, we prepare or coordinate the necessary forms and confirm receipt. Timely delivery and organized recordkeeping provide successor trustees with immediate access to documentation showing which assets belong to the trust and how they should be handled.
After execution, we help clients update their estate planning binder, provide copies to designated individuals, and coordinate any additional transfers that failed to be completed initially. Ongoing review schedules are recommended to capture new accounts, property acquisitions, or changes in family circumstances. Proper follow-up ensures the trust remains fully funded over time and prevents assets from unintentionally passing outside the trust, which could lead to probate and increase administrative burdens for heirs in Martinez.
We assist in compiling a finalized plan that includes the assignment, trust document, powers of attorney, health care directive, and an up-to-date asset list, and we advise on how to communicate these documents to successor trustees and trusted family members. Clear communication about where documents are stored and who holds copies reduces confusion and helps trustees access necessary paperwork quickly when they need to manage affairs or distribute assets per the trust’s terms.
Life changes such as marriage, divorce, acquisition or sale of property, or changes in beneficiaries often require updates to assignments and related documents. We recommend periodic reviews and make adjustments to assignments, deeds, and beneficiary designations so the trust remains aligned with current intentions. Regular maintenance prevents assets from becoming unintentionally excluded and preserves continuity in how the trust will be administered, reducing stress for families during transitions.
A general assignment of assets to a trust is a written instrument by which the grantor indicates that certain assets should be treated as trust property and managed under the trust’s terms. It commonly lists personal property, bank accounts, and other items that do not require deed transfers and is used to streamline trust funding without retitling every asset individually. The assignment documents the grantor’s intent and helps successor trustees identify property subject to the trust. When drafted clearly, it complements deeds and beneficiary designations to create a cohesive plan. You should consider using a general assignment when you have modest personal property or accounts that are practical to include by list rather than separate title changes, when you want a documented record of intent for items not already retitled, and when coordinating a pour-over will or comprehensive trust funding plan. It is especially useful as part of a broader effort to ensure assets pass according to your wishes while minimizing administrative burdens for heirs and reducing the chance that items will be overlooked during administration.
Real estate usually requires a deed transfer to place title in the trust, so including property solely in a general assignment is often insufficient to change the recorded owner. Real property transfers are subject to county recording requirements, tax consequences, and sometimes lender approval, and therefore they typically require executing and recording a deed conveying the property to the trust rather than relying only on an assignment. For Martinez properties it is important to address deeds directly to ensure the trust holds the correct title and to avoid unexpected probate involvement. If you are unsure whether a deed transfer is necessary, a document review can clarify the best approach: some properties may be held jointly or have other encumbrances that affect transferability. Coordinating assignment language with deed transfers, mortgage considerations, and title company assistance ensures a smooth transition of real estate into the trust and prevents surprises that could hinder trustee authority or delay distributions to beneficiaries.
A general assignment can help prevent probate for many types of personal property and smaller accounts when assets are effectively treated as trust property and successor trustees can demonstrate ownership on behalf of the trust. However, assets that require formal retitling, such as real estate, or those governed by beneficiary designations may still go through probate if not properly updated. The assignment reduces probate risk for items it covers, but complete avoidance of probate typically requires a coordinated approach including deeds, account retitling, and beneficiary updates where appropriate. Therefore, relying solely on an assignment without reviewing titles and beneficiary forms can result in some assets remaining outside the trust and subject to probate. A thorough funding plan that identifies asset types, coordinates transfers, and documents the grantor’s intent increases the likelihood that the trust will control disposition of the estate and reduces the number of assets that might otherwise require probate administration.
Beneficiary designations on accounts such as retirement plans or life insurance typically control how those assets pass at death, regardless of a general assignment. If a retirement account names a specific person as beneficiary, the account may bypass the trust unless the retirement account owner updates the beneficiary designation to name the trust or a trustee as appropriate. For this reason, review and alignment of beneficiary forms with the trust and any assignment are necessary to achieve the desired distribution outcomes and avoid conflicts between account contracts and trust goals. A careful coordination process involves comparing beneficiary designations with the trust’s distribution scheme and determining whether to change beneficiaries, retitle accounts, or leave certain accounts outside the trust. Ensuring consistency avoids unintended consequences where an account passes outside the trust or creates confusion for successor trustees and beneficiaries during administration.
After executing a general assignment, some bank and investment accounts may still require retitling to place them in the name of the trust, depending on the institution’s policies and account terms. Payable-on-death or transfer-on-death accounts may have alternative ways to pass assets without retitling, but for many accounts retitling ensures the trust has clear title and reduces the chance of disputes. It is important to consult account agreements and the financial institutions to determine whether retitling is necessary following an assignment. When retitling is needed, we assist in preparing the required documentation and communicating with institutions to effect the change. Maintaining copies of correspondence and updated account statements reflecting the trust as owner provides a clear record for successor trustees and helps prevent issues during trust administration in Martinez and beyond.
Keep executed copies of the general assignment, the trust document, deeds, updated account statements showing trust ownership when available, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and a current asset inventory. Store originals in a secure location and provide trusted individuals or successor trustees with copies or instructions to access them. Proper documentation proves the trust’s ownership of assets and enables successor trustees to act swiftly on behalf of the trust during incapacity or after death, reducing delays and confusion for beneficiaries. In addition to paper records, consider keeping digital copies in a secure, encrypted format and periodically updating records to reflect new acquisitions, changed beneficiaries, or title transfers. Clear labeling and organized files simplify the trustee’s task and ensure that assets intended for the trust are easily identifiable and available when needed for management or distribution.
Yes, a general assignment combined with a properly drafted trust and powers of attorney can provide successor trustees with authority to manage assigned assets if you become incapacitated. When the trust is funded and the assignment is part of an integrated plan, successor trustees can step in according to the trust terms to pay bills, manage investments, and handle property on behalf of the grantor. Ensuring powers of attorney or trustee appointment documents are current and accessible helps prevent delays when timely action is required for care or financial obligations. It is important to confirm that institutions recognize the assignment and understand the trustee’s authority; some accounts may still require additional documentation or separate account forms to grant the trustee access. Preparing these materials in advance and communicating expectations to financial institutions and successor trustees reduces friction and makes it more likely that assets will be available for care or management when needed.
A regular review of your trust and assignment documents is recommended whenever you experience significant life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a move, acquisition or sale of property, or changes in financial accounts. Periodic reviews, ideally every few years, help capture new assets, reflect changes in beneficiaries or family dynamics, and address legal or tax changes that could affect your plan. Regular maintenance ensures that the trust remains up to date and that assignments continue to reflect your current intentions for asset distribution and management. During reviews we recommend checking beneficiary designations, retitling needs, and whether any new assets should be added to an assignment or retitled into the trust. Staying proactive minimizes the risk of assets being unintentionally excluded from the trust and reduces probate exposure, making administration more straightforward for successors when the time comes.
If certain assets were not assigned to the trust before death, they may pass by will or by state intestacy rules, which could subject them to probate. A pour-over will may direct such assets into the trust, but those items typically pass through probate before reaching the trust. As a result, forgetting to assign assets can create administrative delays, legal costs, and public disclosure of the estate’s contents. Identifying and addressing such gaps proactively reduces the likelihood that important assets will be omitted from trust administration. When omissions are discovered after death, estate administration may require probate proceedings or other court filings to transfer assets to the intended beneficiaries. Regular reviews, careful inventorying, and timely updates to assignments and titles help prevent these situations and preserve the smooth transfer of assets according to your overall estate plan.
Assignments work with pour-over wills by providing a funding mechanism during life while the pour-over will catches assets that remain outside the trust at death and transfers them into the trust through the probate process. The pour-over will acts as a safety net to ensure that any forgotten or later-acquired assets are eventually controlled by the trust terms, though assets passing under a pour-over will may still be subject to probate. Combining a general assignment with a pour-over will and other funding steps helps ensure more assets ultimately end up governed by your trust. Coordinating assignments, trusts, and wills provides redundancy to protect against accidental exclusion of property from the trust, but relying solely on a pour-over will can lead to probate for significant items. A comprehensive funding plan that includes assignments, retitling, and beneficiary reviews reduces the number of assets that must pass under a will and helps preserve privacy and efficiency in the administration of your estate.
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