How to Fund Your Trust via Deed Filing

Key Takeaways

• To fund a trust-based estate plan, you'll need to re-title assets like real estate through EncorEstate Plans's property deed filing service, which is open to all advisors' clients, even clients whose estate plans were originally created in another software or through an estate attorney.

• You can get started by completing these two steps: 1) Create a free Encore account (needed to track the deed filing request) and 2) Fill out the requested trust info (e.g., client's trust name, address of the property they want re-titled into the name of their trust.

One of the best feelings in the world: your clients just finally signing their estate plans! But, is the estate plan funded, i.e., has their real estate property been re-titled into the name of the trust? 

Or, if your client is purchasing a new property, they might need a deed change, especially since title companies are not responsible for putting the new property into the name of the trust (and there’s no guarantee that they’ll do so, either).

Encore’s industry-leading Support Team is happy to help with ensuring your clients’ property is titled into their trust – even if your clients’ estate plans was drafted by another provider (e.g., estate planning attorney, another estate planning software).

When you submit your deed filing request on behalf of your client, Encore's Support Team of estate planners and paralegals will:

1. Pull the last recorded deed.

2. Prepare the deed.

3. Prepare all county-specific documents.

Deed transfer pricing starts at $250 (varies based on county and state).

Here are instructions for advisors to request re-titling property deeds into an existing estate plan (note: the estate plan did not have to be originally created by Encore). 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Titling Real Estate Property Into Client's Trust

Step 1: Create a Free Encore Account

You’ll need a free Encore account so that we can create a support ticket to track your request and provide updates to you at each step.

You can create your account here: https://app.encorestateplans.com/signup

Note: To request a deed change with an amendment or a TOD deed on a will-based plan, email us at support@encorestateplans.com.

Step 2: Email support@encorestateplans.com with the following trust and property info

Email the Encore Support Team the following information:

1. Property address.
2. Owner(s) name.
3. Name of client’s trust + its date of inception.
4. Copy of the trust (if Encore did create the estate plan initially).

Note: If your client has a TOD or Lady Bird deed, we need the name of the beneficiaries.

Step 3: Encore will handle all the deed prep and filing work for you and your clients

Encore handles all of the deed filing work in-house (yes, even going to the county assessor’s office): you don’t have to wait in lines, call the assessor’s office, or figure out which documents need to be filled out and signed. We’ll pull the last recorded deed, prepare the deed, and prepare all county-specific documents for you and your clients.

When we have all of the deed-related documents, we’ll review the deed and make sure everything is correct (applying the same 60-point review process we do for each and every estate plan for accuracy) before we send you the updated deed for your review with your clients before they sign the documents. 

Meet EncorEstate Plans: The #1 Estate Planning Software for RIAs

The 2025 Kitces AdvisorTech Survey rated EncorEstate Plans as the top estate planning software for RIAs based on market share. Here's why:

Estate Document Creation Flexibility and Customization

In theory, many mass affluent clients have the same (if not similar) needs when it comes to estate planning. But, being able to customize estate documents to adapt them to your clients' needs is crucial, especially when it comes to beneficiaries. One-size-fits-all estate document templates clearly don't fit all!

Human Review of Every Estate Plan Document

Encore's team of estate planners and paralegals takes five business days (using a 60-point review of every estate plan) to comb through each estate plan and ensure everything is correct and accurately reflects your clients' wishes.

EncorEstate will also answer any and all of your questions about estate planning and or your clients' plans over live chat, phone, and or email at no cost (we don't provide legal advice). Encore's unlimited human estate planner support to advisors is why we consistently score the highest advisor satisfaction ratings in industry surveys like Kitces.com AdvisorTech and Advisor Productivity Surveys, and T3/Inside Information Advisor Technology Survey.

And according to a Reddit user on the CFP sub-Reddit, Encore's "Support is unmatched":

Estate Plan Notarization

EncorEstate provides a one-click option in its software platform to request a mobile notary and witnesses to be sent to your client's house for estate document signing.

Trust Funding

EncorEstate's full-service deed prep and recording ensures your clients' trusts are properly funded with their real estate. 

FAQs About EncorEstate Plans's Property Deed Prep and Recording Service

I'm not an EncorEstate customer. Can I use the deed filing service?

Yes, you can. It doesn't matter if you use another estate planning software or have been working with an attorney: the Encore team just wants clients to have accurate AND properly funded estate plans 😄 In fact, it's been our mission since Day 1 to ensure that all Americans have up-to-date and funded estate plans in place.

Does Encore's deed filing service cover all of the US?

Encore's in-house deed filing service covers 95% of all US counties. For the remaining 5% of counties that Encore's Support Team is not able to cover, we'll provide guidance as best as we can to ensure advisors and their clients are at least pointed in the right direction.

How does Encore's deed filing service work?

Encore's Support Team of estate planners and paralegals will pull the last recorded deed, prepare the deed, and prepare all county-specific documents – even if you’re not an Encore customer.

What's the best way to evaluate the EncorEstate Plans platform?

if you're evaluating estate planning software providers, have a conversation with Encore.