A general assignment of assets to trust transfers property into a living trust to ensure a smooth transition according to your estate plan. For Glendale residents, this document is a practical step that supports a complete trust-based plan including a pour-over will, revocable living trust, and related documents. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman we assist clients in evaluating which assets should be assigned to a trust and prepare the necessary forms so that your trust is up to date and aligned with your wishes and California law.
Many people create a living trust but leave assets outside the trust, which can complicate administration and probate. A general assignment of assets to trust can help move personal property, financial accounts, and other non-deed assets under the trust’s protection. This helps reduce the chance that those assets will need separate probate proceedings. Our approach focuses on clear documentation, practical recommendations for Glendale families, and coordinating related estate plan documents such as advance health care directives and financial powers of attorney to achieve a cohesive plan.
Completing a general assignment of assets to trust improves the effectiveness of a trust-centered estate plan by formally transferring personal property and intangible assets into the trust’s ownership. This step can simplify management during incapacity and decrease the administrative burden at death by reducing the number of assets that might otherwise pass through probate. For Glendale clients, thoughtful assignment supports privacy, continuity in handling financial affairs, and consistent administration according to the trust’s terms, all while coordinating with documents like certification of trust and pour-over wills.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serve California clients with a focus on estate planning documents and trust administration. Our firm assists individuals and families with creating and maintaining revocable living trusts, drafting pour-over wills, and preparing assignments, trust certifications, and related instruments. We prioritize clear communication about options and practical steps to put documents in place, and we work with clients to incorporate advanced planning tools such as irrevocable life insurance trusts, special needs trusts, and retirement plan trusts as appropriate for each family’s circumstances.
A general assignment of assets to trust is a legal document that transfers ownership of certain personal property and intangible assets into an existing trust. It is distinct from deeds used to transfer real estate and is often used to move items that are not titled or that cannot be retitled easily. The assignment typically lists categories of property or includes broad language to capture property acquired after the assignment is executed, thereby helping ensure that the trust holds the intended assets and that administration follows the trust terms rather than probate procedures.
Using a general assignment can be especially useful for belongings, bank accounts without beneficiary designations, brokerage accounts, certificates, and other items that best remain controlled by the trust. The document should be consistent with the trust instrument and supported by updated beneficiary designations where applicable. In addition to the assignment itself, coordinating documents such as a financial power of attorney and HIPAA authorization make it easier for appointed agents to manage affairs if incapacity arises, and they clarify how assets are intended to be handled under California law.
A general assignment transfers ownership or control of specified assets into an existing trust without requiring individual deeds for each item. It can be drafted to cover present and future assets that fit defined categories, creating a practical way to keep household items, investment accounts, and intangible property under trust ownership. The assignment operates alongside the trust agreement and often requires signatures and notarization. Properly prepared, it avoids ambiguity about which assets belong to the trust and streamlines management and distribution in line with the grantor’s directions.
A complete general assignment of assets to trust includes identification of the trust, a clear statement of transfer intent, descriptions or categories of assets covered, and signatures of the grantor with any required witnesses or notarization. The process typically begins with an inventory of assets, review of existing titles and beneficiary designations, and drafting language that aligns with the trust and other plan documents. After execution, the next steps often involve notifying financial institutions, retitling accounts when necessary, and updating related paperwork to ensure consistent administration.
Understanding common terms helps when completing a general assignment and managing a trust. Terms like trustor, trustee, beneficiary, pour-over will, and certification of trust frequently appear in documents and conversations. Knowing what these mean clarifies how control and ownership shift, who is authorized to act, and how assets will be distributed. We explain these terms in plain language to help Glendale clients make informed decisions and to ensure that each document connects logically with the broader estate plan.
The trustor, sometimes called the grantor, is the person who creates and funds the trust by transferring assets into it. The trustor sets the terms of the trust, names the initial trustee and beneficiaries, and defines how assets are to be managed and distributed. While the trustor may serve as trustee during their lifetime, the trust also names successor trustees to take over if the trustor becomes unable to manage trust affairs or after their death. Clear identification of the trustor is essential in assignment documents to show the source of authority for transfers.
A certification of trust provides evidence of a trust’s existence and certain powers of the trustee without revealing the trust’s full terms. Financial institutions and third parties often request this document to confirm who can act on behalf of the trust and to verify signing authority. It typically includes the trust’s name, date, trustee identity, and confirmation that the trust remains in effect. Using a certification protects privacy while allowing banks and other entities to accept the trustee’s authority to manage trust assets.
A trustee is the person or entity responsible for managing trust assets according to the trust terms and in the beneficiaries’ best interests. A trust typically names successor trustees to step in if the initial trustee is unable to serve. Trustees handle administrative duties such as maintaining records, paying expenses, and distributing assets. When a general assignment transfers assets to a trust, the trustee’s authority to manage those newly assigned assets becomes important for continuity and efficient administration under the trust’s provisions.
A pour-over will is a will designed to transfer any assets not already in the trust at the time of death into the trust, so they become subject to the trust’s distribution rules. It acts as a safety net to capture assets that were unintentionally left out of trust funding. While a pour-over will may still require a probate step for those assets, it ensures they are ultimately distributed according to the trust, helping preserve the overall plan and intentions set forth in the trust document.
When deciding how to move assets into a trust, options include executing individual deeds for real estate, updating beneficiary designations on accounts, or using a general assignment for personal property and intangible assets. Each approach has advantages depending on the asset type. Deeds are necessary for real property, beneficiary designations govern retirement and insurance accounts, and a general assignment helps capture personal and intangible assets. Selecting the right combination of tools prevents gaps in planning and reduces the potential for unintended probate.
A limited approach may make sense when a person has a small estate or only a few assets that need trust funding. For instance, retitling a single account or updating a beneficiary designation may achieve the same result as a general assignment without broader paperwork. In these cases, focusing on the specific assets that will pass outside the trust and addressing those directly can be efficient. Still, it remains important to review the entire plan to avoid overlooking items that could unexpectedly require probate.
When major changes have recently occurred—such as selling property or closing accounts—a limited approach that updates only affected titles and designations can be appropriate. This narrower focus avoids reworking the entire plan while ensuring that significant assets are aligned with trust objectives. Even where a limited approach is chosen, it is wise to document transfers properly and confirm that the trust document and related instruments remain coordinated so that future assets are not unintentionally omitted.
When someone owns multiple accounts, investments, retirement plans, and property in different forms, a comprehensive funding approach ensures all items are examined and appropriately transferred or designated. This reduces the chance that assets will be overlooked and prevents fragmented administration. A general assignment, alongside deed transfers and beneficiary reviews, creates a consistent record and supports efficient transition at incapacity or death, particularly for families with varied holdings and multiple financial institutions to notify.
Clients who place a high value on privacy and a smooth post-death process often choose a comprehensive approach to funding the trust. Moving assets into the trust and coordinating documents reduces the need for probate and keeps details of distribution out of public court records. A full review also clarifies roles such as successor trustees and agents under powers of attorney, making it easier for trusted individuals to manage affairs when necessary and helping avoid disputes among beneficiaries.
A comprehensive trust-funding process produces clearer ownership records, reduces the risk of assets being subject to probate, and supports efficient administration. When personal property and intangible assets are assigned to the trust and real property is retitled appropriately, beneficiaries have a more straightforward path to receiving their distributions. This approach also aligns all planning documents so that healthcare directives, financial powers of attorney, and guardianship nominations work together with the trust to reflect your intentions and to provide continuity if you become incapacitated.
Thorough funding and documentation can also reduce delays and legal costs for survivors by minimizing the need for court involvement. Clear instructions in the trust and supporting instruments help successor trustees act promptly and with confidence. For Glendale families, taking the time to inventory assets, update titles where necessary, and execute a general assignment can provide peace of mind knowing that the plan functions cohesively and that personal and financial affairs are arranged according to your priorities.
Funding a trust properly often keeps details of asset distribution out of public court files, providing privacy for families. Since properly assigned assets may avoid probate, the time required to settle the estate can decrease significantly, and beneficiaries can receive distributions more promptly. This efficiency benefits families by reducing administrative burden and emotional stress during a difficult time. Proper documentation and coordination with financial institutions also help successor trustees access accounts and property without unnecessary delay.
When a trust is funded and supporting documents are in place, the people named to act—such as trustees and agents under powers of attorney—have clearer authority to manage assets. This reduces confusion and the potential for conflict, as fiduciary responsibilities and distribution rules are spelled out. A comprehensive approach ensures that trustees can locate and access trust assets and that beneficiaries understand the plan, which helps minimize disputes and supports efficient stewardship of family resources.
Begin by listing all personal property, bank and investment accounts, retirement plans, life insurance policies, and real estate interests. Note current titles, beneficiary designations, account numbers, and any items held jointly. A thorough inventory reveals which assets require retitling, beneficiary updates, or inclusion in a general assignment. Keeping this list current helps ensure that new acquisitions are properly directed into the trust and reduces the likelihood that items will be unintentionally excluded from your trust plan.
Store executed trust documents, assignments, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and a certification of trust in a secure but accessible location. Let trusted individuals know how to retrieve them and provide copies to institutions that will need to verify trustee authority. Having documents organized reduces delays in management and distribution and ensures that agents and trustees can act effectively in cases of incapacity or death. Regular reviews keep everything up to date with changes in family or financial circumstances.
Consider a general assignment if you already have a living trust and discover personal property, accounts, or other assets remain outside trust ownership. This document is helpful when retitling every single item is impractical and you want a clear mechanism to place non-deed assets under the trust. It is also useful when updating or consolidating an estate plan, as it complements deeds, beneficiary designations, and other instruments to align all assets with the trust’s distribution plan and to minimize court involvement after death.
You might also consider an assignment when preparing for incapacity, because assigning assets to a trust clarifies ownership for trustees and agents who will manage affairs. Families facing complex holdings, items that change ownership over time, or a desire for maximum privacy often find an assignment plus a full funding review beneficial. The document serves as a practical tool to reduce administrative burdens and to ensure that personal property and intangible assets are treated consistently with your intentions.
Typical reasons to prepare a general assignment include moving household personal property into a trust, consolidating intangible assets like investment accounts, transferring business equipment, or ensuring newly acquired items are captured by the trust. Life events such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, or relocation can change ownership and prompt a review. In each case, the assignment can be part of a broader update to the estate plan to address changes in assets, family relationships, or long-term goals.
When a trust is originally drafted, some items may be unintentionally left out or acquired later. A general assignment helps bring those assets into the trust without requiring individual transfers for each item. This is often the case with personal belongings, certain bank accounts, or informal investments. Using an assignment creates a documented intention that those items belong to the trust and should be administered under its terms rather than requiring separate probate proceedings.
New acquisitions, gifts, or property received by inheritance may not automatically be included in an existing trust. Rather than retitling each new item immediately, a general assignment can be used to ensure those assets are reflected in the trust’s holdings. This approach streamlines the process and provides a consistent record that life changes and new property are intended to be governed by your trust’s instructions, easing the administrative load for you and your family.
Personal property such as jewelry, artwork, vehicles, collections, and other tangible items often do not transfer by deed and can be placed into a trust using a general assignment. The assignment can list categories of items or specific belongings, helping trustees identify assets to manage or distribute. When done properly, this reduces ambiguity about ownership and supports a cohesive estate plan that includes tangible and intangible assets alongside real property and accounts.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman assist clients in Glendale and throughout Los Angeles County with trust funding, general assignments, and related estate planning needs. Whether you are creating a new revocable living trust or updating an existing plan, we offer practical guidance to document transfers and align beneficiary designations. We also prepare supporting documents such as advance health care directives, financial powers of attorney, and guardianship nominations to ensure a complete approach that addresses both incapacity planning and end-of-life distributions.
Clients work with our firm because we focus on clear, actionable estate planning solutions tailored to each family’s needs. We guide you through inventorying assets, drafting a general assignment that aligns with your trust, and coordinating deeds and beneficiary forms where needed. Communication and practical recommendations are central to our process, helping Glendale residents take steps that reduce probate risk and support orderly administration of assets according to their wishes.
We emphasize creating an integrated estate plan that includes a revocable living trust, pour-over will, financial power of attorney, HIPAA authorization, and advance health care directive so that each document works in concert. Our approach helps trustees and agents understand their roles and responsibilities and makes it easier for institutions to accept trustee authority. We also prepare supporting documents like certification of trust and, when appropriate, petitions for trust modification to keep plans current as circumstances change.
When dealing with trust funding, taking the right steps up front can prevent delays and disputes later. We assist with practical tasks like preparing assignment documents, advising on retitling real property, and reviewing beneficiary forms. Our goal is to give families a clear roadmap to follow so that assets are organized and accessible to the right people at the right time, reducing stress for loved ones and preserving the intent of the estate plan.
Our process begins with an initial review of your trust and a thorough inventory of assets to identify items that should be assigned or retitled. We draft a general assignment tailored to your trust language, coordinate any necessary deeds or beneficiary updates, and prepare a certification of trust when institutions require verification. Throughout the process, we explain each step in plain terms, provide executed copies of documents, and offer follow-up guidance to ensure your trust remains properly funded as circumstances evolve.
The first step is identifying what you own and how each asset is titled or designated. We review deeds, account statements, insurance policies, and any existing beneficiary designations to determine what must be retitled, what can be captured by an assignment, and which documents require updates. This assessment forms the foundation for drafting a targeted assignment and for planning any additional transfers needed to ensure the trust holds the intended property.
We carefully examine how assets are held and who holds beneficiary rights on accounts. This helps determine whether retitling is necessary or whether a general assignment will effectively bring assets under trust ownership. Confirming beneficiary designations and joint ownership arrangements prevents conflicts and ensures account custodians will implement your instructions consistently with trust goals.
Some assets must be retitled, such as real estate, while others are well suited to a general assignment. We advise which approach is appropriate for each class of property and prepare the necessary paperwork. Our guidance helps clients avoid incomplete transfers that could lead to probate or administrative complications for trustees and heirs.
After identifying assets for transfer, we prepare the general assignment document to align with the trust’s terms and California requirements. The assignment may list categories or specific items and will include required execution formalities. We carefully review the language to ensure the trust receives the intended property and coordinate signing and notarization so the document is ready for use when institutions or trustees need proof of the trust’s holdings.
Clear, unambiguous wording in the assignment prevents misunderstandings and ensures that assets identified by category or description are effectively transferred to the trust. We tailor language to reflect your trust’s structure and the types of property involved so that trustees and financial institutions can accept the assignment without unnecessary questions.
We arrange for proper signing and notarization of the assignment and related documents, and we provide executed copies to you and to any institutions that require them. Proper execution helps prevent challenges to the transfer and provides a clear record for trustees to rely on when administering assets under the trust.
Once documents are executed, we assist in notifying banks, brokerage firms, and other holders of assets about the assignment and provide certification of trust where requested. If real property requires a deed, we help prepare and record the necessary instrument. Our goal is to confirm that the trust’s ownership is recognized by institutions so trustees can manage accounts and distribute assets according to the trust document when the time comes.
Many institutions request a certification of trust or authenticated copies of the trust and assignment to confirm trustee authority. We prepare the appropriate documentation and work with institutions to resolve questions so that accounts are accepted as trust property. This step is essential to give trustees the practical ability to act on behalf of the trust without unnecessary barriers.
After transfers and notifications, we follow up to verify that records have been updated and that assets are showing under the trust where possible. We also recommend periodic reviews to incorporate new assets and to ensure beneficiary designations remain aligned. Regular check-ins help maintain the effectiveness of the estate plan over time.
A general assignment of assets to trust is a document that transfers categories of personal property and intangible assets into an existing living trust without executing separate deeds for every item. It is typically used when retitling each asset would be impractical but the trustor wants to ensure those items are owned by the trust for management and distribution purposes. The assignment complements other estate planning tools such as deeds for real property and beneficiary designations for retirement accounts and insurance. You should consider a general assignment when you already have a trust and find that many personal items or accounts remain outside trust ownership. It is a practical mechanism to bring those assets within the trust’s scope and to help trustees manage them according to the trust’s terms, streamlining administration and reducing the chance of separate probate proceedings.
A general assignment can help avoid probate for many personal and intangible items by placing them into the trust, but it does not automatically remove all assets from probate. Real estate generally requires a deed transfer, and certain accounts governed by beneficiary designations may pass outside the trust. The assignment works best when coordinated with retitling and designation updates to ensure broad coverage of assets. Because each asset type is treated differently under California law, a comprehensive review is recommended to determine which holdings will avoid probate after assignment and which will still require other steps. Working through these details reduces the chance of unexpected probate for overlooked assets.
A general assignment differs from retitling property because it covers categories of personal and intangible property rather than changing legal title for real estate, which generally requires a deed. Updating beneficiaries applies to accounts and policies that pass by beneficiary designation rather than by trust ownership. The assignment is a supplemental tool that captures items best transferred by assignment and complements retitling and beneficiary updates. Retitling is necessary where legal title must change to the trust, and beneficiary designations must be reviewed for accounts like IRAs and life insurance. Combining these methods creates a coherent plan so that assets are managed and distributed exactly as intended under the trust.
Yes, a general assignment can be drafted to include newly acquired property by using language that covers after-acquired assets or categories of items acquired after execution. This provides a practical way to ensure that items obtained later are intended to be trust property without having to sign a new assignment for each acquisition. Clear drafting is important to make sure the assignment captures the intended future property. Even when after-acquired property language is used, it remains good practice to periodically review the trust and the assignment to confirm that significant new assets are properly recorded and that any accounts requiring beneficiary designations are updated to match your overall estate planning objectives.
Many financial institutions will accept a general assignment for personal and intangible property, particularly when accompanied by a certification of trust and other documentation confirming trustee authority. Institutions have varying requirements, so presenting a clear certification of trust and executed assignment can often satisfy their need to verify that the trustee can act on behalf of the trust. Preparing documents in a professional manner increases the likelihood of acceptance. In some cases, institutions will still request additional paperwork or prefer retitling certain accounts into the trust. We help clients navigate these institutional requirements and provide the necessary documents and communication to facilitate recognition of the trust’s ownership.
A pour-over will remains an important backstop even when you have a trust and a general assignment. It acts to transfer any assets that remain outside the trust at death into the trust so they can be distributed according to its terms. While a pour-over will may still require probate for those assets, it ensures that they ultimately become subject to the trust’s distribution plan rather than becoming distributed by an intestacy rule or inconsistent documentation. Maintaining both a trust and a pour-over will provides comprehensive coverage: the trust manages and distributes trust property, the assignment helps fund the trust, and the pour-over will captures anything inadvertently left out, helping preserve the overall intent of your estate plan.
A financial power of attorney designates an agent to manage financial matters if you become unable to do so. When assets are held in a trust and properly assigned, trustees and agents need clear documentation about authority to access and manage those items. A power of attorney can be an important complement to a trust by allowing trusted individuals to handle non-trust assets or to assist with tasks before the trust becomes fully operative. Coordinating a power of attorney with trust documents ensures that someone you trust can step in to pay bills, communicate with institutions, or take interim actions. This coordination reduces delays and helps preserve the value of assets during periods of incapacity or transition.
It is advisable to review your trust and any general assignment periodically and whenever major life changes occur, such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, relocation, or significant shifts in asset holdings. Regular reviews help ensure that beneficiary designations, titles, and assignment language remain consistent with your goals and that recently acquired assets are included in the trust plan when appropriate. A review every few years or after material changes in circumstances helps keep documents up to date and reduces the risk that assets will be overlooked. Proactive maintenance preserves the plan’s effectiveness and gives families greater certainty about how assets will be handled in the future.
If assets are left out of the trust at death, those items may need to go through probate to be distributed according to the will or state intestacy laws. A pour-over will can move such assets into the trust, but those assets may still pass through probate first. This can lead to public disclosure of assets and increased administrative time and expense, which may be precisely what many trusts aim to avoid. To minimize this risk, it is important to perform a thorough funding review and to use tools like general assignments, deed transfers, and beneficiary updates to capture assets in the trust while you are alive. Keeping documentation current reduces the likelihood of probate for inadvertently omitted property.
A general assignment can be used for certain business assets or personal property related to a closely held business, but transferring ownership of business interests often requires additional considerations. Ownership interests in corporations, LLCs, or partnerships may be governed by operating agreements, shareholders’ agreements, or transfer restrictions that must be reviewed before an assignment can affect control or ownership. Where transfer restrictions exist, coordinating with business counsel and reviewing governing documents is important. An assignment may effectively transfer the trust’s beneficial interest while complying with transfer provisions, but professional review helps ensure the business continues to operate smoothly and that any required consents or filings are obtained.
Criminal Defense
Homicide Defense
Manslaughter
Assault and Battery
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Battery Causing Great Bodily Injury
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Domestic Violence Restraining Order
Arson Defense
Weapons Charges
Illegal Firearm Possessions
Civil Harassment
Civil Harassment Restraining Orders
School Violence Restraining Orders
Violent Crimes Defense
Estate Planning Practice Areas