Free California Living Trust Checklist

Everything you need to prepare before creating your living trust

By Rozsa Gyene, Estate Planning Attorney | CA State Bar #208356

Creating a California living trust is straightforward when you're prepared. This comprehensive checklist covers everything you'll need: personal identification, asset information, beneficiary details, and trustee designations.

Use this checklist to gather your information before you begin. Having everything ready typically reduces the time to create your trust from hours to just 30 minutes.

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Or continue reading the full checklist below

Part 1: Personal Identification

Your Information (Grantor/Trustor)

Full Legal Name
As it appears on your driver's license or passport. Include middle name.
Date of Birth
Used to identify you in legal documents.
Social Security Number
Required for tax identification. Your trust will use your SSN while you're alive.
Current Address
Full street address where you reside.
Marital Status
Single, married, domestic partnership, divorced, or widowed.
Spouse Information (if married)
Full legal name, date of birth, and SSN of spouse.

Part 2: Real Estate Information

Properties to Transfer into Trust

Property Addresses
Full street address of each property you want in the trust.
Legal Description
Found on your deed. Example: "Lot 5 of Tract 12345 as per map recorded..."
Assessor's Parcel Number (APN)
Found on your property tax bill or county assessor's website.
Current Title/Ownership
How is the property currently titled? (Your name only, joint tenancy, etc.)
Mortgage Information
Lender name, loan number. Note: Most mortgages allow transfer to trust.
Estimated Property Value
Approximate current market value of each property.

Part 3: Financial Accounts

Bank and Investment Accounts

Bank Accounts
Checking, savings accounts. Bank name, account type, approximate balance.
Brokerage Accounts
Investment accounts (Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard, etc.). Account numbers and values.
Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
Bank name, maturity date, approximate value.
Money Market Accounts
Institution name, account number, approximate balance.

Note: Retirement Accounts

Do NOT put retirement accounts (401k, IRA, 403b) directly into your living trust. This triggers immediate taxation. Instead, name beneficiaries directly on these accounts. Your trust can be named as beneficiary if you have minor children or special circumstances.

Part 4: Other Assets

Additional Property to Include

Vehicles
Year, make, model, VIN. Note: California allows vehicles via beneficiary designation.
Business Interests
LLC memberships, partnerships, S-corp shares, sole proprietorships.
Valuable Personal Property
Jewelry, art, collectibles, antiques worth over $5,000.
Intellectual Property
Patents, copyrights, trademarks, royalty rights.
Life Insurance Policies
Company, policy number, death benefit. Note: Usually pass via beneficiary designation.

Part 5: Beneficiary Information

Who Will Receive Your Assets

Primary Beneficiaries
Full legal names, relationships, addresses, dates of birth.
Backup (Contingent) Beneficiaries
Who receives assets if primary beneficiary predeceases you?
Distribution Percentages
How should assets be divided? (Equal shares? Specific percentages?)
Specific Bequests
Any specific items you want to go to specific people?
Minor Children Provisions
At what age should minor children receive their inheritance? (18, 21, 25, staged?)

Part 6: Trustee Designations

Who Will Manage Your Trust

Initial Trustee
This is you (and your spouse if married). You manage your own trust while alive.
First Successor Trustee
Who takes over if you become incapacitated or pass away? Full name, address, phone.
Second Successor Trustee
Backup if first successor is unavailable. Full name, address, phone.
Guardian for Minor Children
Who should raise your children if something happens to both parents?

Part 7: Healthcare and Financial Powers

Incapacity Planning

Healthcare Agent
Who makes medical decisions if you cannot? (Often same as successor trustee)
Backup Healthcare Agent
Alternate person to make medical decisions.
Financial Power of Attorney Agent
Who handles finances outside the trust if you're incapacitated?
End-of-Life Wishes
Your preferences regarding life support, pain management, organ donation.

Documents Included in Your Trust Package

When you create a living trust with Living Trust California, you receive a complete estate plan:

Ready to Create Your Living Trust?

You've gathered your information. Now create your California living trust in about 30 minutes. Attorney-reviewed, just $400.

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