A woman came to us after her husband passed away.

They had done everything right — or so they thought.
They had a living trust drafted years ago by a reputable attorney. It was thorough. Signed. Notarized. Tucked neatly into a safe.

When she brought it to us, everything looked perfect — until we asked one question:

“Was the trust funded?”

She looked puzzled.

Their home was still titled in their personal names.
The bank accounts weren’t connected to the trust.
The investment accounts listed outdated beneficiaries.

The trust existed — but it didn’t own anything.

And because of that, probate was unavoidable.

She spent the next year navigating court filings, attorney fees, and delays — all because of a single step that never got finished.

It wasn’t the attorney’s fault. It wasn’t hers. It was a missing step no one ever explained clearly enough.

Now, her plan is fully funded and reviewed every year. She tells her kids exactly where everything is, who to call, and how to use it when the time comes.

“We thought we had it right before,” she told me. “Now I know it’s right.”

Because a plan only works when it’s complete.
And “complete” means more than signing the papers — it means putting the plan to work.