New Home Contract? Now’s the Time to Consider a Trust – Consult a Santa Barbara County Trust Lawyer
You’ve found your dream home and your offer’s been accepted – this is an exciting time! As you approach closing, your agent, attorney, or title company will ask how you’d like to hold the title to the property. While individual ownership is common, placing your new house into a trust right from the start has compelling advantages.
Why Transfer Your New House to a Trust at Closing?
- Effortless Probate Avoidance: Your house seamlessly passes to your intended beneficiaries outside of probate court. This means no costly attorney fees, administrative delays, or undue stress for your heirs.
- Control Even After Your Passing: With a trust, you set guidelines for how your property is managed, sold, or distributed. This lets you protect your wishes, even when you’re no longer here.
- Privacy Matters: Trusts remain private, protecting your family’s financial affairs from public records, unlike wills.
- Incapacity Planning: Should illness or an accident render you unable to handle your affairs, your chosen successor trustee swiftly assumes management of the property. This prevents issues from lack of ownership oversight.
- Potential Tax Advantages (Seek Professional Advice): Tax laws are complex, but certain trust structures can sometimes offer tax benefits. Consulting a Santa Barbara County trust lawyer early will allow you to make informed decisions.
Make Informed Property Ownership Decisions
Placing a new home into a trust may not be the right choice for everyone. An experienced Santa Barbara County trust lawyer will:
- Analyze your unique circumstances and family dynamics.
- Explain how different trust structures will impact your goals.
- Address any mortgage-related considerations.
- Facilitate trust creation and execute the property transfer at closing.
Start Protecting Your Legacy Today
Ready to consider if a trust is right for your new home purchase? Our experienced estate planning attorneys are here to guide you. You’ll gain clarity about your options and ensure your investment is safeguarded for your loved ones’ future. To schedule a consultation with our Santa Barbara County law firm, simply call 805-946-1550 to get started.
Author Bio
Julianna Malis is the Founder and Managing Partner of Santa Barbara Estate Planning & Elder Law, a Santa Barbara estate planning law firm she founded in 2014. With more than 25 years of experience practicing law, she has dedicated her career to representing clients in a wide range of legal matters, including estate planning, elder law, Medicaid and Medicare planning, probate, and other estate planning areas.
Julianna received her Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific — McGeorge School of Law and is a member of the California State Bar Association.
