Brokerage
Learn how a revocable living trust works with your brokerage accounts to help assets transfer smoothly to your beneficiaries outside of probate.
Do I need to retitle my brokerage account after creating a living trust?
Yes — creating a trust is only the first step. For your brokerage account to actually pass through the trust and avoid probate, the account needs to be retitled into the name of your trust (for example, 'The Smith Family Trust'). This typically involves contacting your brokerage directly and submitting a copy of your trust document or a certification of trust. Skipping this step is one of the most common mistakes people make, leaving the account outside the trust entirely and potentially subject to probate.
