Advising clients to use a trust as an estate planning tool is ordinary in my practice. I also urge my clients that just having a trust is ineffective unless it is properly funded. Just signing the trust is not enough. In order for the trust to be effective the Trustee must hold title to the assets in the trust. When clients do not retitle the assets into the name of the trust it really defeats one of the purposes of having a trust.
One main purpose of having a trust is to avoid probate and all the expenses and costs associated with probate. I advise clients to fund their trust as soon as it is created, and I usually assist them with transferring their real property. Many clients are able to transfer their checking and savings account, their wealth management accounts and cars without assistance from me. Don’t forget to properly fund your trust!