Here is the rough outline: Select the trust that is best suited to your needs, such as a revocable living trust. Draft a trust deed and have it notarized so that it is legally binding. Record the deed at the county recorder's office. Notify the relevant parties, such as your mortgage lender and insurance provider.
Example Scenario Obtain the Current Deed: Get a copy of your existing deed from the county recorder's office. Prepare a New Deed: Draft a grant deed transferring the property to “John Doe, as Trustee of The John Doe Living Trust, dated January 1, 2024.” Notarize the Deed: Sign the new deed before a notary public.
One disadvantage of placing your house in a trust is the loss of direct ownership. Transferring your property to a revocable living trust makes the trust the legal owner. While you retain control as the trustee, this change in ownership may affect your ability to mortgage or refinance the property.
Parents and other family members who want to pass on assets during their lifetimes may be tempted to gift the assets. Although setting up an irrevocable trust lacks the simplicity of giving a gift, it may be a better way to preserve assets for the future.
Real estate can be transferred into a trust by a deed that transfers title from the grantor to the name of the trust. Under California law, a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report must be filed simultaneously with the deed at the county recorder's office in the county where the real property is situated.
Record the Signed Documents at the County Recorder's Office Take the original signed and notarized Deed of Trust and Promissory Note to the County Recorder's Office for the county where the property is located. In Sacramento, this is at 3636 American River Drive, Ste. 110, Sacramento CA 95864.
Transferring a property into a living trust does not typically affect its assessed value. In fact, California law explicitly states that property taxes will not be reassessed if a house is transferred into a revocable trust 3.