How Do I Transfer Property To A Trust In Oklahoma?

For the purpose of Estate Planning its important to know how you transfer property to a Trust that you own. Understanding trusts and property transfers in Oklahoma can be complex, but it’s important for managing your estate effectively. The last thing that you want is for their plan to fail due to a lack of funding the trust. This blog post goes over whether you must have property in your trust and how to transfer property to a trust in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Law On Putting Property In Trusts

In Oklahoma, if you own a revocable or irrevocable trust, do you have to have property in it? The short answer is no, but there’s more to consider. Under Oklahoma Statutes Section 60-175.2, a trust can be created for any purpose for which a contract might be made, concerning real and personal property. This implies that while a trust can be established with the intent of holding property, it’s not mandatory for property to be present at the creation of the trust. It’s like setting up a container – you can have it ready, but it doesn’t need to be filled immediately.

However, the real utility of a trust often lies in its ability to hold and manage property, whether real (like land or buildings) or personal (like stocks or bonds). For proper estate planning, especially in Oklahoma, utilizing a trust to hold property can offer benefits like avoiding probate, managing assets during incapacity, and creating a legacy.

Putting Property In A Private Trust

Real property can be held in the name of a private trust. The process involves several key steps.

• Creating the Trust Document: First, you need a written trust agreement, which outlines the trust’s terms, beneficiaries, and a designated trustee. This document is important in establishing the trust as an entity capable of holding property.
• Transferring Real Property: To transfer real estate to your trust, you execute a deed. This deed should convey the property from your personal name (or current title) into the name of the trust. It’s important that this is done correctly to ensure the trust legally holds the property. The deed is then filed with the county clerk’s office in the county where the property is located.
• Transferring Personal Property: For personal property like bank accounts, stocks, or bonds, you typically need to change the ownership records with the respective financial institution or company. This might involve presenting them with a copy of the trust agreement or a certification of trust.
• Presumption for the Trustee’s Actions: In Oklahoma, a person acting as a trustee and executing transactions for the trust, such as property transfer deeds, is presumed to be acting within their authority. This presumption provides a layer of security and ease in transactions, as third parties can rely on the trustee’s actions as being legitimate.
• Consulting with Estate Planning Attorneys: It’s always wise to seek advice from legal and financial professionals. They know how to transfer property to a trust without making mistakes. They can help ensure that all steps comply with Oklahoma law and align with your estate planning goals.

Property Investment By Trustees

Oklahoma Statutes Section 60-161 outlines the types of investments a trustee is allowed to make with trust funds. The section also outlines the standard of care required. In Oklahoma, unless restricted by a court order or the trust itself, trustees have the flexibility to invest trust funds. They can invest them in any type of property – real, personal, or mixed. This is done similar to how an individual might invest their own funds.

However, there are important caveats to this freedom. Trustees must adhere to the Oklahoma Uniform Prudent Investor Act, which sets the standard for what is considered prudent investing. This includes diversifying investments to minimize risk, considering the trust’s objectives, and avoiding conflicts of interest. Notably, trustees are prohibited from buying or selling property to themselves or commingling trust funds with their own. These rules are designed to ensure that trustees act in the best interest of the trust beneficiaries. This especially includes they manage the trust assets responsibly.

Estate Planning Lawyers

While you don’t need to have property in your trust from the outset in Oklahoma, trusts are often used to hold and manage property efficiently. Transferring property to your trust involves legal formalities. They include executing deeds for real property, filing necessary documents with the county clerk, and appropriately handling personal property. Remember, trusts can be a powerful tool in your estate planning arsenal. But like all other tools they need to be set up and managed correctly to serve their intended purpose. Kania Law Office is experienced in estate planning, including trusts and property transfers. If you own a trust or are considering one, reach out to Kania Law Office at (918) 743-2233 or online.