Does a trust automatically avoid probate?
No. A living trust will avoid probate only for assets which are titled to or owned by the trust. Once you set up the trust you must complete the appropriate paperwork (which varies from asset to asset) to actually change ownership of any assets which must be in the trust to the trust. This is often referred to as “funding the trust.” Any assets which are not transferred to the trust, but are owned in your sole name at the time of your death will require probate administration.
