Multi Servicios 360 is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This is a self-help document preparation service.

California Living Trust (Revocable Trust)

From $599 USD

A California Living Trust protects your family from Probate — the court process that costs $15,000–$30,000 and takes 1–2 years to distribute your assets. If you own a home in California or have more than $208,850 in assets in your name, your family will go through Probate automatically when you pass away — unless you have a Living Trust in place. Prepare yours from $599, bilingual, no attorney required.

Who needs a Living Trust?

If you own a home in California, have savings accounts over $50,000, or hold retirement accounts (401k, IRA), your family needs a Living Trust to avoid Probate. Probate is California's succession court process that reviews all your property after death. Probate is public (anyone can see your assets), slow (12–24 months), and expensive (4% mandatory attorney commission plus court costs). With a Living Trust, your assets pass directly to your beneficiaries without court — private, fast, and far cheaper.

What is included in your Living Trust?

Why California is different

California has one of the most expensive and slowest Probate processes in the country. Under Probate Code §10810, probate attorneys charge statutory fees: 4% on the first $100,000, 3% on the next $100,000, 2% on $800,000 — for an $800,000 home, that is $19,000 in attorney fees alone, not counting court costs. A Living Trust avoids this entire process because the assets technically belong to the Trust, not to you, at death — and the Trust has clear rules about who receives what.

How to create and fund your California Living Trust step by step

  1. 1. Decide who will be Trustee and BeneficiariesThe initial Trustee is usually yourself (while alive). The Successor Trustee takes control if you die or become incapacitated. The Beneficiaries are your heirs (spouse, children, grandchildren). Define them with full names and addresses.
  2. 2. List all your transferable assetsHome, commercial properties, regular bank accounts, investment accounts without beneficiaries, jewelry, vehicles. Do NOT include: 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, life insurance with named beneficiary (already avoid probate).
  3. 3. Complete our Living Trust wizardIn 30-45 minutes, the wizard captures: your information, successor trustee, beneficiaries, distribution (equal or unequal), special instructions (when to release to young children), and tax clauses.
  4. 4. Sign the Trust before a notaryUnlike a Will, a California Living Trust does NOT require witnesses — just notarization. Notary cost: $15-50. Once signed, the Trust legally exists.
  5. 5. Transfer (fund) your assets into the TrustTHIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT AND MOST FORGOTTEN STEP. For each asset: real estate requires a Grant Deed; bank accounts require changing the owner to "[Your Name] as Trustee of the [Your Surname] Family Trust". Our Boots on the Ground service handles this from $599.
  6. 6. Create the complementary Pour-Over WillThe Pour-Over Will captures any asset you forget to transfer. It goes through (small) probate but ends in the Trust. Included in our Pro package.
  7. 7. Review and update the Trust every 3-5 yearsEvents triggering an update: marriage/divorce, birth or adoption of a child, beneficiary death, major property purchase/sale, move outside California. An outdated Trust can cause family disputes.

Common California Living Trust mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Living Trust cost in California?

With an attorney in Los Angeles, $1,500–$4,500. With Multi Servicios 360, from $599 (Standard) to $1,599 (Pro, which includes a session with a Mar Vista Law attorney).

Do I need to transfer my home into the Trust after creating it?

Yes — this is CRITICAL. Creating the Trust is not enough. You must transfer the property by signing a "Grant Deed" or "Quitclaim Deed" into the Trust. Our package includes step-by-step instructions, and our Boots on the Ground service can handle it for you from $599.

Can I change the Trust after I create it?

Yes. A Living Trust is "revocable" — you can modify it, add or remove beneficiaries, or cancel it anytime while you are alive and mentally competent.

Does the Trust protect me from lawsuits while I am alive?

No. A revocable Living Trust does NOT protect your assets from creditors or lawsuits during your lifetime. For lawsuit protection you need an "Irrevocable Trust" or LLC structures — consult an attorney.

Will my family pay taxes on what they receive from the Trust?

Assets passing through a Trust are not subject to federal estate tax until $13.6 million (2026). California has no state estate tax. Beneficiaries may owe capital gains tax if they sell appreciated assets.

Why does Multi Servicios 360 cost less than an attorney?

We are a self-help platform — you prepare your own Trust with our bilingual guidance, valid legal templates, and Spanish-language support. We do not replace attorneys; we give you the tools to do what an attorney would, in less time and for less money.

Do I need a Pour-Over Will alongside my Living Trust?

Yes, almost always. The Pour-Over Will "fills" the Trust with any property you forget to transfer formally — it goes through probate but ends up in the Trust. Considered a standard part of a complete estate plan. Our Pro package includes both.

What about my 401(k) or IRA — should I put them in the Trust?

NO. Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, Roth IRA) have designated beneficiaries that AUTOMATICALLY avoid probate without needing a Trust. Changing ownership to a Trust triggers immediate massive taxes. Instead, verify that the beneficiaries on these accounts are up to date.

MS
California Living Trust
Multi Servicios 360

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Multi Servicios 360 | www.multiservicios360.net | 855.246.7274

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Multi Servicios 360 es una plataforma tecnológica de autoayuda que permite a las personas preparar sus propios documentos legales. No somos un bufete de abogados, no actuamos como abogados, no redactamos documentos por usted, y no brindamos asesoría legal ni recomendaciones sobre qué documentos legales son apropiados para su situación específica. Si necesita asesoría legal, debe consultar a un abogado licenciado en California.