my lawyer initiated probate when the house was in a living trust

by Laurence Willms 9 min read

Does a living trust keep you out of Probate Court?

Jan 31, 2019 · A house can avoid probate if it’s automatically passed on to survivors via a living trust, joint ownership, community property law, or transfer-on-death deed. If it doesn’t fall into one of these exceptions, the general rule is that if someone dies and owns real estate, any property they own is headed for some kind of probate process —will or no will.

What is a living trust and how does it work?

Probate involves inventorying and appraising the property, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remainder of the property according to the will. When you make a living trust, your surviving family members can transfer your property quickly and easily, without probate. More of the property you leave goes to the people you want to inherit it.

How can I avoid probate with a trust?

Aug 24, 2019 · One of the primary reasons to create a trust is to avoid probate court. Trusts are surprisingly easy to create, especially if you work alongside a skilled estate planning attorney. ... When you form the revocable living trust, you must transfer ownership of the property into the name of the trust. Often, this is the biggest reason a family with ...

Can a deceased person own property in a revocable living trust?

Probate is the formal legal process that gives recognition to a will and appoints the executor or personal representative who will administer the estate and distribute assets to the intended …

What does it mean when a house is left in trust?

Trusts help you pass on your house before you die That means you could move your house into a trust and then transfer ownership to someone else even before you die (like by setting it up as a trust fund). For example, you may choose to pass on your house should you go into long-term care or become incapacitated.

What is the downside of a living trust?

No Asset Protection – A revocable living trust does not protect assets from the reach of creditors. Administrative Work is Needed – It takes time and effort to re-title all your assets from individual ownership over to a trust. All assets that are not formally transferred to the trust will have to go through probate.Sep 27, 2021

Can a home with a mortgage be placed in a trust?

A mortgage in trust may be something that you have never previously considered, but it may be appropriate. Anyone who owns property can put their mortgage in a revocable living trust so as to not deal with the probate process after death and utilize other estate planning benefits.Nov 21, 2018

How does a trust work after someone dies?

In simple terms, a trust functions as an intermediary between you and your intended beneficiaries—a conduit used throughout your lifetime and/or after your death. Unlike testamentary trusts, which are created under the terms of a will and take effect after death, living trusts are established during one's lifetime.

What is probate in a will?

Probate involves inventorying and appraising the property, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remainder of the property according to the will. When you make a living trust, your surviving family members can transfer your property quickly and easily, without probate.

What is a living trust?

A basic living trust allows property to avoid probate and to quickly and efficiently pass to the beneficiaries you name, without the hassles and expense of probate court proceedings.

What happens to a trust when you die?

When you die, the person you named in the trust document to take over—called the successor trustee—transfers ownership of trust property to the people you want to get it. In most cases, the successor trustee can handle the whole thing in a few weeks with some simple paperwork. No probate court proceedings are required.

Do you need to keep records after a revocable trust?

After a revocable living trust is created, little day-to-day record keeping is required. Just be sure to do the required paperwork whenever you transfer property to or from the trust. That shouldn't be difficult.

Can a married couple make a living trust?

A married couple can use one basic living trust to handle both co-owned property and separate property. You can make a valid living trust online, quickly and easily, with Nolo's Quicken Willmaker & Trust.

Who is the trustee of a trust?

You name yourself as trustee—the person in charge of the trust property. If you and your spouse create a trust together, you will be co-trustees. Then you transfer ownership of some or all of your property to yourself in your capacity as trustee.

Can you change the name of a trust after you die?

Because you're the trustee, you don't give up any control over the property you put in trust. In the declaration of trust document, you name the people or organizations you want to inherit trust property after your death. You can change those choices if you wish; you can also revoke the trust at any time.

How to avoid probate?

The best way to avoid probate is to hire an attorney and have them create a trust for your loved ones. Trusts are not just for today; they serve as a living legacy. You can use the trust to support your loved ones for years after your death, and you are in more control of your assets and how they are handled.

Why do you need to create a trust?

One of the primary reasons to create a trust is to avoid probate court. Trusts are surprisingly easy to create, especially if you work alongside a skilled estate planning attorney.

What is the purpose of a trust?

The purpose of a trust is to make the process of resolving your estate easy and relatively cost-free for loved ones. However, it does not always prevent loved ones from enduring probate court, especially if your trust is not created correctly or you are missing assets. When you form the revocable living trust, you must transfer ownership ...

What happens if an estate passes through probate?

Just some of the stages your estate goes through if it does pass through probate include: Your will is first filed with the local probate court and now becomes a matter of public record. Your named executor will then inventory property and assets associated with the estate. Your property is appraised by a third party to determine current value.

Why do assets have to be sold in a will?

Some assets may be sold in order to satisfy those debts. The court finally validates the will. All fees to the court, attorney, and the executor are paid. Any remaining assets are distributed to the designated beneficiaries in the amounts (or close to) that were listed in the will itself.

Why does a trust go through probate?

Often, this is the biggest reason a family with a trust still goes through probate – because no one transferred the ownership. Also, any property you purchase after your trust is created must be moved into the trust or it will go through probate even if the remainder of your estate does not. Just because you have a trust does not mean all new asset ...

How long does it take to get a probate?

Probate is an in-depth process that can take weeks or months to complete. While it is in process, loved ones cannot receive their inheritance and they may have to spend estate funds to cover attorney’s fees, court costs, and more. Just some of the stages your estate goes through if it does pass through probate include:

What is probate process?

Probate is the formal legal process that gives recognition to a will and appoints the executor or personal representative who will administer the estate and distribute assets to the intended beneficiaries. The laws of each state vary, so it is a good idea to consult an attorney to determine whether a probate proceeding is necessary, ...

What is a living trust?

The living trust is often marketed as a vehicle that allows you to "avoid probate" upon your death. Probate is the court-supervised process of administering your estate and transferring your property at death pursuant to the terms of your will. Probate is rarely the calamity naysayers claim.

Is probate legal in every state?

Probate laws are different in every state. In some states there are statutorily mandated court or attorney fees while in others those fees may be minimal. Many states have expedited or simplified court proceedings that are efficient and inexpensive for small or simple estates.

Is probate a calamity?

Probate is rarely the calamity naysayers claim. In addition, many types of property routinely pass outside of the probate process, even without the cost of establishing a living trust.

Can a living trust be probated?

Finally, a living trust can almost never totally avoid probate, and a simple will is needed to "pour over" to the trust any property that has not been transferred to the trust during your lifetime.

Can a living trust be used to avoid probate?

Living trusts, in fact, have great value as part of estate planning, but not necessarily to avoid probate. A living trust, if properly prepared and administered, can be a very effective tool to manage assets in the event of illness, disability or the effects of aging.

How to set up a living trust?

To establish a living trust, you must first list out the property that will be included in the trusts, as well as the beneficiaries of the property. Next, you should name the successor trustee who will manage and transfer your property in the event that you die or are incapacitated . Once you choose your successor trustee, you can draft and sign the trust. Make sure to transfer the property to the trustee after the trust is completed; this is known as funding the trust. Without this step, the trust will not be considered legal.

What is a trust in probate?

A trust is simply a document that legally allows a person, known as a trustee, to hold property for another person, called a beneficiary. Also known as an "inter vios" trust, a living trust is made while a person is still living, rather than after they have passed away. Establishing a living trust is a bit more complicated than making a will, but it can still be accomplished quickly and easily with the help of a probate lawyer .

Why do people create living trusts?

Often, the main reason that individuals create a living trust is to avoid probate. Your property doesn't have to go through the probate process because the trustee will transfer it directly to your beneficiaries. The court does not get involved because the property has already been legally transferred to your heirs. The trustee only has to fill out some simple paperwork and the process should be complete within a few weeks. Transferring property through a probate court can take months or even years if the will is contested. In addition, approximately 5% of your property will have gone to court fees.