Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

I am the sole owner of a property in California. The grant deed is in my name, but I want to change it to my trust. Is this something I can do myself and if so what are the necessary steps?


Asked on 7/19/11, 9:26 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

I believe it would be wiser to have the attorney who created the trust for you carry out the transfer. The process is relatively simple, and shouldn't cost much, but the consequences of a mistake could be catastrophic, and not known for years. By the way, you probably mean "title is in my name;" the grant deed that accomplished this having done its work.

Read more
Answered on 7/19/11, 10:08 am

I'm not sure it is really necessary for your attorney to handle the transaction. I would, however, consult with him or her to make sure it would not upset anything in your estate plan to do this. If the attorney give their OK, all you have to do is record a properly executed and notarized deed from yourself to the trustee as trustee. Presumably you are your own trustee, in which case the deed would be from "[Your Name]" to "[Your Name], trustee of the [Exact Name of the Trust]." So for example, from "Timothy McCormick, a single man, to Timothy McCormick, trustee of the Timothy McCormick Family Trust dated December 7, 1941."

Read more
Answered on 7/19/11, 12:41 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Real Estate and Real Property questions and answers in California