Trust Video Series 3
Explanation and Purpose of Each Document

In this section, you will find a series of short videos that thoroughly explain each of your trust documents including their importance and purpose. If needed, they will also guide you on how to properly execute and notarize each document. (When you are finished with this video series, be sure to watch our other 2 informative video series by clicking on the appropriate choice here:  Video Series 1: Why a Living Trust is the Only Intelligent Choice — or — Video Series 2: The Intake and Information Process). Find even more videos and stay up-to-date by also visiting or subscribing to our YouTube Channel

Important: First Review Trust Asset Titling & Beneficiary Designations Videos (Below)

Before moving on to watching the videos that explain your documents and how to execute them, please first review the two videos below: The first is entitled “The Vital Importance of Titling Your Assets in the Name of Your Trust”. The second is about Beneficiary Designation Strategies. These first two videos below cover what is perhaps the most important subjects for every client to learn and understand — and they are vital to your trusts functionality. Do not overlook their importance. Knowing this subject matter will also help you better understand the purpose for some of the document you will be executing. (When you are finished with these two videos, move on to the rest of the below videos explaining your documents and how to execute them).

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The Vital Importance of Titling Your Assets In The Name of Your Living Trust (4min 05sec) In this presentation, we provide an overview of titling your assets in the name of your trust. This is a very important topic, because if you want your trust to pass your assets, then you must title them in the name of your trust. Always remember and follow that simple rule because it is key to your trusts’ functionality and avoiding probate. Titling your assets in your trust is not difficult and on average it takes about 20 minutes per asset or account. Watch the video and learn more. (You can read more about this as well as access, download and print the handout: “The Importance of Titling Your Assets In The Name of Your Trust” by clicking here.)

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Beneficiary Designation Strategies For Life Insurance & Retirement Plan Accounts (3min 28sec) This presentation discusses strategies for handling Life Insurance and Qualified Retirement Plans (which you do not title in your trust). Fortunately, these assets can pass very easily without probate. All you need to do is designate whom you want the funds paid to in the event of your death. This is usually done on a beneficiary designation form where you generally name a primary beneficiary and a secondary, contingent, backup beneficiary. Watch the video and learn more. (or you can read about it instead of watching the video by clicking here.)

Understanding and Executing Each Document (Watch the Videos Below)

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Overview of Your Living Trust Documents & Signing Them (2min 36sec)
Be sure to review this presentation, which provides a general overview of your living trust documents and overall guidance about signing and notarizing your documents. Remember, your trust documents are not effective until they are signed and notarized, which is why we strongly suggest you do both as soon as possible. Watch the video and learn more.
(you can read about it instead of watching the video by clicking here.)

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Overview  of Signing and Notarizing Your Documents (5min)
Important instructions, guidance, and helpful suggestions regarding notarizing your revocable living trust and other documents. Watch the video and learn more.
(you can read about it instead of watching the video by clicking here.)

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Trust Overview and Exhibit A — (3min 10sec)
This segment is designed to provide an Overview of the Living Trust. Watch the video and learn more.

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Article 1 of Married Trust Explained — Understanding & Signing It (7min 19sec)
This segment discusses Article 1 of the MARRIED Living Trust, which is generally 7 pages long for a married living trust. Article 1 comes bundled separately because it contains the pivotal, key clauses of the trust. Watch the video and learn more. (or you can read about it instead of watching the video by clicking here.)

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Article 1 of Single Trust Explained — Understanding & Signing (6min 31sec)
This segment discusses Article 1 of the SINGLE Living Trust, which is generally 5 pages long for a single living trust. Article 1 comes bundled separately because it contains the pivotal, key clauses of the trust. Watch the video and learn more. (or you can read about it instead of watching the video by clicking here.)

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Certification of Trust — Understanding & Signing (3min 12sec)
This segment discusses the Certification of Trust. The Certification of the living trust sets forth the relevant trust information and authorizations that are typically needed by financial institutions and others. It can also prove useful when financing real estate property. Watch the video and learn more.

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Trust Estate — Master Transfer & Assignment of Assets — Purpose, Explanation & Instructions (1min 57sec)
This presentation details how this document acts as a general assignment and declaration that you presently intend all of your assets to be a part of and governed by your trust — including all household and personal effects. It is intended as an emergency backup between now and when you are able to formally title each asset in your trust. Watch the video and learn more. (or you can read about it instead of watching the video by clicking here.)

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The Pour-Over Will — Purpose, Explanation & Instructions (3min 17sec)
This presentation details the main purpose of the Pour-Over Will, which is to act as another backup device that allows your trust to gain control of any stray assets left outside of your trust. In other words if you happen to die with assets that are not titled in your trust and there is no other way to get to them, then the “Pour-Over Will” can be used as a final resort to gain legal control over the assets. Watch the video and learn more. (or you can read about it instead of watching the video by clicking here.)

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Guardianship for Minor Children — Purpose, Explanation & Instructions(49 sec)
If you have minor children, this document nominates those you wish to act as guardians for your minor children in case something happens to you. Assuming you have minor children, please sign and date your Nomination of Guardianship document. Watch the video and learn more.
(or you can read about it instead of watching the video by clicking here.)

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(For Married Only) The Community Property Agreement for Married Couples — Explanation & Instructions (1min 56sec)
The purpose of this document is to help secure the double stepped-up basis available to community property assets. It simultaneously overrides Joint-Tenancy designations and helps satisfy the IRS written requirements to qualify for this benefit. Again, this one page agreement often ends up being the single most valuable and beneficial document a married couple signs in the estate planning process. That said, any spouse concerned about preserving potential separate property rights should decline to sign this document. Watch the video and learn more. (or you can read about it instead of watching the video by clicking here.)

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Deeds (for transferring your real estate) — Explanation & Instructions (1min 56sec)
This presentation discusses the included deeds whose purpose is to transfer and title your real estate property in the name of your living trust. Whether you own a whole or partial interest in real estate, if you want your trust to pass the property it is vitally important that you correctly execute and record a separate deed for each property conveying and transferring that property to your trust. Watch the video and learn more.
(or you can read about it instead of watching the video by clicking here.)

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CA Preliminary Change of Ownership Report — Understanding & Signing (PCOR) — Purpose, Explanation & Instructions (2min 44sec)
In order to record your deed in California, it must be accompanied by a signed Preliminary Change of Ownership Report. The main purpose of the PCOR is to inform the county what type of transfer is occurring. Other states have similar forms for similar purposes. In California and almost every state you are essentially informing them it is a transfer to your revocable living trust and thus exempt from reassessment. Watch the video and learn more. (or you can read about it instead of watching the video by clicking here.)

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Durable Power of Attorney For Finances — Purpose, Explanation & Instructions (3min 04sec)
It is important to remember your trust only covers trust assets, which still leaves a certain gap in your affairs. Most want to address these gaps by executing a broad based, immediately vesting Power of Attorney, which we include as part of the trust package. However, if you are at all uncomfortable presently granting someone this power then do not sign this document. Otherwise you are welcome to use this one. Please be sure to watch this video. (or you can read about it instead of watching the video by clicking here.)

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Advance Health Care Directive — Purpose, Explanation & Instructions (7min 39sec)
This presentation discusses the included Advance Health Care Directive, which is the new terminology for a document that combines the functions of the both the Living Will and Power of Attorney for Health Care. This is now the most up to date, comprehensive document for stating your health care wishes and empowering someone to interface with medical personnel and make decisions in case you are unable. Please be sure to watch this video. (or you can read about it instead of watching the video by clicking here.)

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Recording Your Deed(s) or Affidavit(s) With The County Recorder — Explanation & Instructions (4min 50sec)
Once your deed is signed and notarized, the next step is to record it. This presentation gives you step-by-step instructions. You can record a deed in person or by mailing it to the recorder’s office in the county in which the property sits. Please carefully follow all instructions for doing so. Please be sure to watch this video.
(or you can read about it instead of watching the video by clicking here.)

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How to Submit Recording Fees  — Explanation & Instructions (3min 12sec)
When you mail your deed in for recording you must also submit a check to cover the recording fees. This segment gives guidance and suggestions on how to submit your recording fees. Please be sure to watch this video.
(or you can read about it instead of watching the video by clicking here.)

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Safekeeping Your Documents, E-Copies, & Record Keeping — Suggestions & Guidance (5min 01sec)
When it comes to your paper documents our suggestion is to keep your trust originals in a secure place, such as a safety deposit box or safe, or at the very least, store the original and a copy in two different locations. We also offer electronic copies of your trust documents in an Adobe Acrobat, PDF format. We also discuss maintaining an accessible, up-to-date outline of your finances, accounts and other data. Please be sure to watch this video. (or you can read about it instead of watching the video by clicking here.)

Access Series 1 Videos:
Why a Living Trust is the Only Intelligent Choice

Series 1 Videos

Many of you already know why you should have a trust — but just in case you don’t (or need a refresher) — these 6 short videos (totaling about 15 minutes) will give you a thorough understanding of why it is so important. (Much better than sitting through a seminar!). When you already know “why a trust” you can move on to the next two video series (series 2: the intake and information process and series 3: The explanation and purpose of each document)

Access Series 2 Videos:
The Intake and Information Process

Series 2 Videos

In every law office trust process, there is information you must furnish, issues you need to know about, and choices you must make. That is the subject of this video series 2. (Note: If you are single you can skip the first two videos.)  Once you’ve completed this portion of the process, you can move on to video series 3 (The explanation and purpose of each document).

You Can Also Access and Watch All Our Videos & More by Visiting or Subscribing to Our YouTube Channel

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