Christopher S. Mulvaney,

Attorney and Counselor-at-Law

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THIS WEBSITE INCLUDES GENERAL INFORMATION & THE OPINIONS OF CHRISTOPHER S. MULVANEY. IT IS INTENDED TO STIMULATE A BASIS FOR QUESTIONS RELATED TO YOUR PARTICULAR FACTUAL CIRCUMSTANCES — BEFORE YOU ACT.  THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE. IF YOU WANT LEGAL ADVICE, PLEASE MAKE A ZOOM APPOINTMENT TO SPEAK WITH ME.

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The use of email or this form for communication with MULVANEY LAW OFFICE, PLLC does not establish an Attorney-Client Relationship. If you don’t think I have responded, please check your spam folder. Time-sensitive information should not be sent through this Form or through email. Sensitive information can be uploaded to an encrypted Dropbox folder in your client file. Google Review Link Yelp Review Link

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Gonzaga University School of Law – Spokane, Washington – Class of 2002 – Cum Laude The Latin phrase “Deo patriae, scientiis, artibus” translates to “For God and country through sciences and arts”.  The initials A.M.D.G. on the seal of Gonzaga Law School stand for Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, which is Latin for “For the Greater Glory of God” the Motto of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits): a Catholic religious order founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola.

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Assigning non-titled property to a revocable living trust is important for several key reasons, particularly in the context of estate planning:

• Avoiding Probate: The primary advantage of a revocable living trust is that assets held in the trust generally bypass the probate process upon your death. Non-titled property, which are personal belongings that don’t have legal titles like cars, real estate, or financial accounts, would typically be subject to probate if not included in the trust. By assigning this property to your trust, you ensure it can be distributed to your beneficiaries without court involvement, saving time, money, and potentially maintaining privacy.
• Ensuring Distribution According to Your Wishes: While a will dictates how your probate assets are distributed, a trust provides a mechanism for transferring non-titled property directly to your beneficiaries according to your wishes. This can be particularly important for items with sentimental value, ensuring they go to the individuals you intend to receive them.
• Simplifying Estate Administration: Assigning non-titled property to your trust simplifies the administration of your estate, as the trustee can manage and distribute these assets without needing to go through the court-supervised probate process.
• Providing for Contingency Planning: A trust allows you to name a successor trustee who can manage your assets, including non-titled property, if you become incapacitated. This ensures that your valuable personal belongings are taken care of and distributed as you intended, even if you are unable to manage your own affairs.
• Reducing Potential Disputes: Clearly documenting your intentions regarding the distribution of non-titled property within your trust can help prevent disputes among your beneficiaries. This can be especially valuable for items with emotional or sentimental value, which can sometimes be the source of family conflicts after someone’s death. 

How to Assign Non-Titled Property to a Trust:

While you don’t “title” non-titled property in the same way you would title a car or a house, you generally assign it to a trust through a general assignment or by specifically listing items in your trust document. 

• General Assignment: This involves a broad statement in your trust document that assigns all of your tangible personal property to the trust.
• Specific List: For valuable or sentimental items, you may choose to create a separate list that identifies these specific items and designates the beneficiary who should receive them. This list is typically incorporated into or attached to your trust agreement. 

Important Note: It’s highly recommended to work with Christopher S. Mulvaney to ensure your trust document is properly drafted and your non-titled property is assigned to the trust in a way that aligns with your wishes and the specific requirements of Washington law. 

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Washington State residents can meet with me in Zoom/DocuSign from anywhere in the world, and I can notarize their electronic signatures because I am a remote online notary.  Just email me an image of your photo ID.