Trust Funding

If you have come across trusts in your estate planning research, you have probably been intrigued by this option. Avoiding probate and setting strict parameters for asset distribution? What’s not to love about that. There are many benefits to establishing trusts, but they also present unique challenges. We can help you create a trust, but just as importantly, we will also assist you with trust funding. 

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Our diligent and caring approach helps you feel comfortable with us your estate planning guide, and this starts with our transparent flat-fee pricing system. 

 

What is a trust?

 

In case you are not fully comfortable with all the various elements of estate planning, let’s start with a brief introduction to trusts. These are helpful additions to your estate plan, as they protect and distribute your assets based on the conditions you set. You have a lot of control over the distribution of the trust, which is understandably appealing, and the trust’s assets do not go through probate. 

 

What is trust funding?

 

As great as all that sounds, there is one caveat and it comes in the form of trust funding. One of the biggest advantages of establishing a trust is that it avoids probate. However, if your trust is not funded, that advantage could end up being lost. Expert legal counsel is highly advantageous due to the complexity of Florida’s probate and estate planning laws. In order for you and your loved ones to reap the rewards of your careful planning, you must account for trust funding. 

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When you create a trust, you need to transfer ownership of certain assets from your name into the trust’s name. Naming your trust as a beneficiary is another method for some types of assets. 

 

What can be funded into a trust?

 

We would love the opportunity to speak with you about the exact assets you’d like to transfer to your trust. For the most accurate information, the best option is to meet with one of our knowledgeable team members. However, as a general rule, the following may be funded into a trust:

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• Bank accounts and certificates of deposit

• Real estate

• Stocks and bonds

• Life insurance and retirement accounts

 

You have a lot of options if you are still considering which of your assets to transfer, but time is of the essence. If your trust has already been established, you’ll want to act quickly to get it properly funded. 

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The process of transferring ownership to a trust is often time-consuming and complicated, but having someone at your side who is fully versed in the rules and procedures is incredibly helpful. Our trust funding services can relieve you of the uncertainty you may be faced with throughout the many steps of this process. 

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Whether you have a trust that needs to be funded, or are just curious about your options, we can answer any questions you may have. Just call 727-477-2255 to get the assistance you’re looking for.