[WSBAPT] RLT Asset If Not Retitled?

[Heather de Vrieze]

Good luck getting the bank/financial institution to deal with the trustee after the titled owners have died if the accounts are not retitled into the Trust. Of course, if there is a pour-over Will it can be used to re-title after death, but they were probably trying to “avoid probate” when they bought this Trust plan.

Heather S. de Vrieze
(she/her)
Attorney-at-Law
[cid:image001.jpg at 01DCD305.46C512D0]
3909 California Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98116-3705
(206)938-5500
heatherd at westseattlelaw.com<mailto:heatherd at westseattlelaw.com>
www.westseattlelaw.com<http://www.westseattlelaw.com/>

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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Ryan Castle
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2026 9:00 AM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBAPT] RLT Asset If Not Retitled?

Smart People,

I have a revocable living trust that lists assets in a schedule, which includes "All financial and bank accounts which do not already have a payable on death beneficiary designation, whether the accounts are named in the name of the trust or not." Same language for personal property, including vehicles.

Is this language sufficient to deem the financial accounts and vehicles as trust assets even though they were not retitled/remaned in the name of the trust?

Although not a present issue with the real estate as that was retitled into the trust, is it necessary to retitle real estate into the name of the trust? Or can you just list it in the trust schedule? I always retitle but am now curious.

--

Ryan Castle
Castle Law Firm, PLLC
Managing Attorney
T: 360-592-3504
1313 E. Maple St., Suite 790
Bellingham, WA 98225
https://ryancastlelawfirm.com/


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