Alternatives to Probate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hThMMhRYBjk Quick Tip of the Month 💡 Consider keeping a workbook, spreadsheet,…
If you have a Revocable Trust, is it Funded?
🔒 PLO’s 2nd Annual Estate Planning Summit Open to Current Clients Only
Friday, June 5, 2026 from 9 am – 11 am
Location: Wildwood Community Center, 6500 Powell Rd, Wildwood, FL 34785
This exclusive event is designed to give our clients insights into Wills, Trusts, and all of the accompanying estate planning documents. This should be a great refresher of the Basics of Estate Planning. We will also walk through the legal process of what happens when someone becomes incapacitated and after they pass away.
You’ll have the opportunity to ask our team of experienced attorneys and knowledgeable probate paralegal, Tara, questions you may have.
RSVP to (352) 399-6944 to reserve your seat – limited seating available for clients who have executed estate plans with PLO
Is Your Trust Actually Funded?
Many people feel a sense of relief after signing their estate planning documents — and they should. A Will, Trust, Durable Power of Attorney, Designation of Health Care Surrogate, and Living Will are all important parts of a strong estate plan.
But there is one step that is easy to overlook:
If you have a Revocable Trust, assets need to be properly connected to that trust. This is called funding your Trust.
A Trust is like a bucket. Signing the Trust creates the bucket— but funding the Trust is how you put the right assets inside of the bucket.
If your Trust is not funded (you have an empty bucket), your family may still have to deal with probate, even though you took the time to create a Trust. So if you have a Revocable Trust, we recommend that you review your assets and how they are owned. If you have questions about funding your Trust, please contact our office to speak with our team.
*Not everyone needs a trust. If we did a Will for you and not a Trust, then you need to review your accounts to make sure you have beneficiaries named on those accounts.
What Does It Mean to “Fund” a Trust?
Funding a Revocable Trust generally means changing the ownership or beneficiary designation of certain assets so they work with your estate plan.
Depending on your plan, this may include:
Real estate
Your home or other real property may need to be deeded into your Trust or have the Trust named as beneficiary on the deed.
Bank or investment accounts
Some accounts may need to be retitled into the name of your Trust or have beneficiary designations updated.
Business interests
LLCs, corporations, or partnership interests may need additional assignments or ownership updates.
If you want to learn more about funding your Trust, check out our YouTube Channel, we have several videos that go over funding a Trust.
Why This Matters — Quick Tip of the Month 💡
A Trust only controls what it owns or what is properly directed to it.
That means if an asset is titled only in your individual name at death — and it does not have a valid beneficiary designation — your family may need to open a probate to transfer it.
The goal is not just to have estate planning documents. The goal is to make sure those documents actually work when you become incapaciated or when you die.
*Not everyone needs a Trust. If we did a Will for you and not a Trust, then you need to review your accounts to make sure you have beneficiaries named on those accounts.
🏡 “My Neighbor Said…”
(Estate Planning Myth of the Month)
“I have a Trust so nothing will go through probate”
Myth Buster: Without properly funding your Trust, assets may still go through probate.
📅 Upcoming Workshops (RSVP Required — Limited Seating)
🔒 Client-Only: Trust Funding Workshop
For current clients who have a Revocable Trust prepared by PLO.
Wednesday, 5/27 at 8:00 AM — Zoom
Wednesday, 6/10 at 8:00 AM — Zoom
RSVP to (352) 399-6944 to receive your zoom link.
📅 Upcoming Workshops (RSVP Required — Limited Seating)
🔒 Client-Only: Trust Funding Workshop
For current clients who have a Revocable Trust prepared by PLO.
Wednesday, 5/27 at 8:00 AM — Zoom
Wednesday, 6/10 at 8:00 AM — Zoom
RSVP to (352) 399-6944 to receive your zoom link.
👨👩👧👦 From Our Families to Yours
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