Does a revocable living trust avoid a death probate?
Yes. All assets transferred to a living trust completely avoid the probate process, both during your lifetime and at the time of your death. Living trusts are not new. They have been successfully used in one form or another since the Middle Ages. Both then and now, a living trust requires that the owner of assets transfer title from his or her name to the name of the trust. Practically speaking, this means changing the title to your property. For real property, it means you will sign and record a new deed. For other assets, you will sign special transfer documents changing ownership to the name of your trust. Once the process is complete, all of your assets will be owned by the trust. Almost nothing will be owned by you personally. Your living trust has title to the assets, but don’t worry! You (or you and your spouse if you are married) have complete control of the trust while you are alive. You may amend the trust, or even revoke it, whenever you desire. When you die, there are no as
