Why Funding Your Trust Matters
A Look at the Myatt & Bell Difference
By Attorney Justin Martin
One of the most common misconceptions I see in estate planning is the belief that your work is done once you’ve signed your trust documents. In reality, signing your trust is just the beginning. What truly determines the success of your plan is whether your trust is properly funded.
Unlike a will, which only takes effect after death and must go through probate, a living trust is effective both during your lifetime and after. However, for it to work seamlessly, the trust must be properly funded. In other words, it needs to own your assets. This process, known as trust funding, ensures your assets avoid probate and are managed or distributed according to your wishes.
At Myatt & Bell, we’re proud to be known as “the firm that funds its trusts.” What sets us apart in the estate planning field is that we don’t just hand you a binder and send you on your way. We take the critical next step by helping you fund your trust through our Asset & Funding Department. This service is included in all of our flat-fee trust packages because we are dedicated to protecting your best interests and helping ensure your trust works as intended when it matters most.
What Is Trust Funding?
Funding your trust means transferring ownership of your assets from your individual name into the name of your trust. This includes:
- Retitling bank and investment accounts
- Preparing and recording real estate deeds
- Assigning business interests
- Reviewing and updating beneficiary designations
Some assets, like IRAs or annuities, may not be owned by the trust but could name the trust (or specific subtrusts) as a beneficiary. Our team is with you every step of the way to help ensure funding is aligned with your goals and wishes.
Why Is Funding So Important?
There are several important reasons why trust funding plays a critical role:
- Avoiding Probate: Assets owned by your trust at the time of death can avoid probate.
- Incapacity Planning: If you become incapacitated, your successor trustee can step in without court intervention for assets held in the trust.
- Controlling Distribution: If an asset isn’t titled properly, it may bypass your trust and be distributed in a way that doesn’t align with your wishes.
- Tax Planning: It’s crucial for estate tax planning because it can ensure the estate tax exclusions at the state and federal level are fully utilized.
We’re With You Every Step of the Way
Myatt & Bell’s legal team will work closely with you and your financial advisor, if you have one, to help ensure your trust is funded now so that your wishes are honored later. From preparing real estate deeds and business assignments to assisting with account title changes and beneficiary designations, we simplify what can often be a complex process.
A Warm Welcome to Leigh Stainken
We are excited to welcome Leigh Stainken, Attorney at Law, as the newest member of our growing team. Leigh joins Myatt & Bell with a strong focus on estate planning and trust administration, as well as a thoughtful, client-centered approach. Her background includes significant work in family law and probate, giving her a nuanced understanding of the legal and emotional complexities that often accompany life’s most important transitions.
Leigh’s approach is grounded in empathy and driven by a desire to make estate planning a supportive and thoughtful process. Her professional insight is shaped not only by years of highly technical legal work, but also by her own personal journey with loss. She understands that planning for the future, or managing a loved one’s estate, can bring up a range of emotions, and she meets clients where they are with patience, compassion, and steady guidance.
When asked what drew her to Myatt & Bell, Leigh shared, “What drew me to Myatt & Bell is the firm’s unique balance of excellence and empathy. Every decision is rooted in what’s best for the client, and that shared purpose creates a culture of genuine care and collaboration.”
Leigh earned her Juris Doctorate from Willamette University College of Law and was admitted to the Oregon State Bar in 2019. She was also admitted to the Washington State Bar in 2024 and now serves clients in both states. Outside the office, Leigh enjoys hiking with her dogs, spending time with her family, and getting lost in a good book.
Please join us in giving Leigh a warm welcome. We’re thrilled to have her on board and are confident that the experience and heart she brings will be a meaningful benefit to our clients and community.
Meet Leigh
Estate Planning & Peace of Mind
Have you found yourself making excuses for why not to get your estate in order? Maybe you’re convinced that you really don’t need estate planning. If you have assets and loved ones, you need an estate plan. Having an estate plan that is right for you ensures your loved ones are taken care of and that the transition is as easy as possible.
Attend one of our complimentary estate planning webinars and see for yourself. Having your estate plan prepared and understanding the why’s behind the importance of estate planning can bring you the peace of mind you have been needing.
From Our Clients
“WOW! Very professional group. I feel we crossed every T and dotted every I, and my family members and charities shall be properly taken care of.” – Ken S.
“The people at Myatt & Bell were friendly, cooperative and very helpful in doing my trust work. They are a very competent firm.” – John M.
Families choose Myatt & Bell to design their estate plans with honest optimism and meticulous attention to detail.
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And, if you run into someone who needs help with a will or trust, please tell them about Myatt & Bell. Thank you!
