Online Living Trust California — Attorney-Prepared from $400
Your Family Will Pay $27,000+ in Probate Without One

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How to Create a Living Trust Online in California

1. Choose a California-specific online trust service that includes attorney review and meets state requirements
2. Complete the questionnaire about your assets, family, and wishes (15-30 minutes)
3. Name your trustee and successor trustee who will manage the trust if you become incapacitated or pass away
4. Designate your beneficiaries and their shares (who inherits what percentage)
5. Review your generated documents carefully to ensure all information is correct
6. Print, sign, and notarize your trust documents (required in California)
7. Fund your trust by transferring assets (record deed, update accounts)
8. Store original documents safely and give copies to your trustee

How to Transfer Your House to a Living Trust

1. Obtain a grant deed transferring property from yourself to your trust (included in our package)
2. Fill in the property description (copy from your current deed exactly as written)
3. Sign the deed and have it notarized (California requirement)
4. Complete a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR) form (required in California)
5. Record the deed at your county recorder's office ($15-$75 fee)
6. Notify your mortgage company (transfer doesn't trigger due-on-sale clause)
7. Update your homeowner's insurance to show trust ownership
8. Keep the recorded deed with your trust documents in a safe location

What to Do After Creating Your Living Trust

1. Sign and notarize all trust documents to make them legally valid
2. Record your property transfer deed with the county recorder's office
3. Update bank account titles to include trust name or designate trust as beneficiary
4. Change beneficiaries on retirement accounts and life insurance (these typically use beneficiary designations, not trust ownership)
5. Transfer vehicle titles if desired (optional but recommended for valuable vehicles)
6. Update your homeowner's and auto insurance policies to reflect trust ownership
7. Give copies of Certificate of Trust to financial institutions as needed
8. Store originals in a fireproof safe and tell your trustee the location

How much does an online living trust cost in California?

At Living Trust California, our attorney-prepared living trust packages cost $400 for individuals and $500 for married couples. This includes the living trust, pour-over will, healthcare directive, durable power of attorney, certificate of trust, and trust funding instructions. Traditional attorneys charge $2,000-$5,000 for the same documents. Template services like LegalZoom charge $299-$599 but don't include attorney review of your specific situation.

Is an online living trust as good as going to an attorney's office?

Yes — when it's attorney-prepared. Our online trusts are created and reviewed by Rozsa Gyene, Esq. (CA Bar #208356), a licensed California attorney with 25+ years of estate planning experience. You get the same legal protection as an in-office trust at a fraction of the cost. The difference is convenience: you answer questions online from home instead of scheduling multiple office visits.

What is included in the living trust package?

Every trust package includes: Revocable Living Trust document, Certificate of Trust, Pour-Over Will, Nomination of Guardians (if applicable), Durable Power of Attorney for Finances, Advance Health Care Directive, HIPAA Authorization, Personal Property Assignment, trust funding instructions, notarization guidance, and lifetime access through our Digital Vault. Attorney review of all documents is included at no extra charge.

How long does it take to get my living trust?

The online questionnaire takes most people 20-30 minutes. After you submit, our attorney reviews your documents and you'll receive them within 24 hours — often the same business day. Traditional attorneys typically take 2-4 weeks. After receiving your documents, you'll need to print, sign, and notarize them.

Do I need a living trust if I own a house in California?

Almost certainly yes. In California, if your total estate exceeds $208,000 (which includes your home's equity), it must go through probate without a trust. California probate costs $26,000-$66,000+ in mandatory statutory fees and takes 12-24 months. A $400 living trust avoids this entirely, saving your family tens of thousands of dollars and months of court proceedings.

What is the difference between LegalZoom and LivingTrustCalifornia.com?

LegalZoom uses software-generated templates — no attorney reviews your specific situation (attorney review is an extra $199-$299). LivingTrustCalifornia.com is run by a licensed California attorney who personally prepares and reviews every trust. Our documents are California-specific, not generic multi-state templates. We also include trust funding guidance and are available by phone at (818) 291-6217 to answer your questions.

Los Angeles San Diego San Francisco Sacramento San Jose Fresno Oakland Long Beach Bakersfield Irvine Glendale Pasadena Burbank Modesto Stockton Riverside Santa Monica Santa Clarita

CA State Bar No. 208356

25+ years of California estate planning experience. Every living trust and will created through this platform is personally prepared and reviewed by Attorney Gyene.

Law Offices of Rozsa Gyene • 450 N Brand Blvd, Suite 600, Glendale, CA 91203

(818) 291-6217 • Full Attorney Profile →

Prefer in-person service? Visit our law office at LivingTrust-Attorneys.com

Quick Guide: Will vs. Living Trust in California

For most California homeowners, a Will is not enough because it does not avoid probate.

• California Will: Instructs distribution but must go through probate court if assets exceed $208,000. Public record.
• California Living Trust: Holds title to your assets, completely avoids probate court, remains private, and offers immediate asset access to heirs.

Read the full comparison guide →