You Created Your Trust Plan. Here’s What to Do Next.

If you just finished creating your Trust Plan, take a moment to feel good about it. That’s a major step that most people never get around to taking.

But your plan isn’t fully in place yet. There are a few more steps to make it official. The good news: each one is straightforward, and you don’t have to do them all at once.

Here’s the order of what happens next.

1. Review Your Documents

Before you print anything, take the time to look through your completed documents. Keeping your designations up to date helps everything stay aligned with your plan. You can review:

• Who you’ve named as trustee and successor trustee

• How your assets are distributed and any age conditions you’ve set

• Your guardian nominations for minor children

• Your healthcare agent and financial Power of Attorney selections

If anything needs to change, you can make updates through your Trust & Will account before you move on to the next step.

2. Sign and Notarize Your Documents

Your documents need to be properly signed and notarized before they can take effect. This is the step that makes everything official.

You’ll need your printed documents, a valid photo ID, two adult witnesses who are not beneficiaries of your plan, and a notary public. Common places to get this done include your bank, a UPS Store, or a mobile notary service that comes to you.

For a detailed walkthrough of how to find witnesses, where to get notarized, and what to bring, read our guide on how to sign, witness, and notarize your documents.

3. Fund Your Trust

This is the step that catches most people off guard, and it’s one of the most important. "Funding" your trust means transferring ownership of your assets into the trust. If you skip this step, your trust won’t be able to do what it’s designed to do.

The process depends on the type of asset:

• Real estate: Retitle your property deed into the name of the trust. Our Deed Transfer Service can handle this for you.

• Bank accounts: Contact your bank to retitle the account. Most banks can do this while keeping the same account numbers.

• Investment and brokerage accounts: Contact your financial institution to update ownership.

• Retirement accounts and life insurance: These pass by beneficiary designation, not through your trust. Make sure your designations are up to date and aligned with your plan.

• Business interests: The process varies by entity type. Attorney Support can help guide you through transfers for LLCs, partnerships, and corporations.

You don’t have to do all of this in one day. Start with your biggest assets (usually real estate and financial accounts) and work through the rest over time. For a full walkthrough, read our guide on how to fund a trust.

4. Store Your Documents

Once everything is signed and notarized, keep your originals somewhere safe, fireproof, and accessible to your trustee. A fireproof safe at home, a safe deposit box, or with your attorney if you added Attorney Support are all good options.

The most important part: make sure your trustee and executor know where to find them.

5. Keep Your Plan Current

Your estate plan isn’t a one-time task. Life changes, and your plan could change with it. Many people choose to review their plan every 3 to 5 years or after any major life event.

• Marriage, divorce, or a new relationship

• Birth or adoption of a child

• Buying or selling real estate

• Starting or selling a business

• A significant change in your financial situation

• Moving to a new state

• The death of someone named in your plan

You can update your plan through your Trust & Will account. With Essentials ($49/year, billed annually), you have ongoing access to make updates as life changes. Updated documents will need to be reprinted, signed, and notarized again.

Need Help With Any of These Steps?

Visit our Help Center for answers to common questions, or reach out to our support team by emailing support@trustandwill.com or via live chat. For a full overview of every way we can help, read our guide on every way Trust & Will supports you.

You’ve done the hard part. These next steps are simpler than they look, and we’re here if you need us.

Trust & Will makes estate planning simple so you can create a customized, state-specific plan from the comfort of your own home. Take our free quiz to discover which estate plan best fits your needs today, to secure your family’s future.

Is there a question here we didn’t answer? Browse more topics in our learn center, visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, or chat with our member support!

Trust & Will is an online service providing legal forms and information. We are not a law firm and we do not provide legal advice.