Fund your trust

14 Feb 2025 · 1 min

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In this instructional video, the speaker explains the step‑by‑step process for placing a residential property into a revocable living trust. The procedure begins with obtaining a copy of the current deed, then preparing a new deed using a state‑specific form (commonly a quitclaim deed in Alabama or a grant deed elsewhere). The grantor is listed as the homeowner and the grantee as the trust. The legal description from the existing deed is copied onto the new form. The completed deed is signed and notarized, and finally filed with the local probate court or land records office. Once recorded, the property title officially transfers to the trust.

Chapters

How do you actually put your home in a trust? This is how you do it. What you're going to do is to change the title of your home from your name to the name of your trust. The first thing you do is to get a copy of your current deed. Then you have to prepare a copy of a new deed, and you need a deed form that is applicable to your state. Should be able to find one online, or you can have a lawyer do all this. Here in Alabama, we primarily use a quitclaim deed. Other places it might be called a grant deed. The grantor will be your name. The grantee will be the name of the trust. Then there will be a large space on the form for the legal description of the property. Copy the legal description from your current deed to the deed that you are preparing, then sign and date it in front of a notary, then take it to your local probate court clerk's office, or whatever your land records office is called. File the new deed there. Once that is completed, your home will be in your trust.